Ethan wasn't used to surprises. His life followed a strict routine—work, study, occasional grocery runs, and long nights spent trying to ignore the woman living next door. His world was structured, predictable, and safe. Until now.
A soft knock interrupted his morning coffee. He wasn't expecting visitors. In fact, he never had visitors. His stomach tightened with an inexplicable sense of anticipation as he approached the door. A brief moment of hesitation—then he turned the knob.
And there she was.
Sienna leaned casually against the doorframe, her golden-brown hair damp, clinging to her skin as if she had just stepped out of a warm shower. She smelled like coconut and something sweet—an intoxicating mix that made his throat dry. She wore a cropped tank top, barely covering the curve of her waist, and ripped jeans that hugged her hips in a way that made it impossible for Ethan not to notice.
"Morning, nerd boy," she greeted, her lips curving into a smirk. "Busy?"
Ethan gripped the edge of the door, knuckles whitening. "Uh… no. Not really."
She tilted her head slightly, eyeing the steaming mug in his hand. "You a coffee guy?"
He blinked, caught off guard by the casual question. "Yeah… I guess."
"Perfect." She leaned one shoulder against the frame, crossing her arms. "Come grab a cup with me."
His brain momentarily malfunctioned. "What?"
"You know… coffee?" She arched a brow, teasing. "The thing you're already drinking? Or do you have some rule against drinking it outside your little nerd cave?"
Heat crept up his neck. "I—no, I just…"
She playfully nudged his arm. "Come on. It's on me."
Spending time with her outside their building felt dangerous, like walking straight into a fire. And yet, as she stood there waiting, eyes glinting with mischief, he knew he was already doomed.
"Alright," he found himself saying.
Sienna grinned. "Atta boy."
The coffee shop was a charming indie place, wedged between an old bookstore and a tattoo parlor. It smelled of freshly ground beans and vanilla, with the low hum of conversations and soft acoustic music adding to the ambiance.
Sienna ordered effortlessly, her confidence magnetic. The barista—a young guy with glasses—blushed under her flirtatious smile. Ethan felt something twist uncomfortably in his chest. Jealousy? That was ridiculous. Right?
They took their drinks to a table by the window, the sunlight casting soft patterns across Sienna's face as she stirred her iced coffee lazily, watching him with quiet amusement.
"You always this quiet?" she asked, sipping her drink.
Ethan cleared his throat. "I just… wasn't expecting this."
"What? Coffee?"
"No. You."
Her brows lifted slightly before she smirked. "Do I really seem that unapproachable?"
He hesitated. "Not unapproachable. Just… different."
She twirled the straw in her cup. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He studied her, the way she tapped her nails absently against her cup, the way she sat with effortless confidence. Yet there was something beneath it—something deeper, something concealed. He had spent so much time watching her from a distance, building an image of her in his mind, but now, sitting across from her, that image was shifting.
"Why did you ask me here?" he asked abruptly.
Sienna tilted her head. "Why not?"
He frowned. "I just figured… you don't usually hang out with guys like me."
She chuckled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean… I'm not exactly…" He gestured vaguely at himself. "Your type."
Her lips curled, teasing. "And what do you think my type is?"
Ethan had no answer, at least not one he was willing to say aloud.
Sienna leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm as she studied him. "You really are clueless, aren't you?"
His face warmed. "About what?"
She took a slow sip of her coffee, her gaze never leaving his. "About the way people see you."
He frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Sienna set her cup down and leaned in just enough to make his pulse spike. "You act like you're invisible, Ethan. Like you think no one notices you."
He swallowed. "Well… they don't."
She smiled, but there was something knowing in it. "That's where you're wrong."
Her words sent a shiver down his spine. His heart pounded, his mind racing with a million thoughts at once. He didn't know what she meant. He didn't know what any of this meant.
But as they sat there, the world buzzing softly around them, Ethan realized something.
Whatever this was, whatever she was—
He was in trouble.