The campus was buzzing again—midweek chatter, worn-out students, iced coffee in one hand, deadlines in the other.
Celeste strolled through the walkway between buildings, her phone in hand and sunglasses perched lazily on her head. She wasn't in a rush. She had no class for the afternoon.
Just vibes. Just sun. Just—
[New Message: Liam 🕶️]
Hey, second-year senpai, got any time to spare this week?
Don't worry, it's not a date. Lyka's coming too (she doesn't know yet tho) 👀
Celeste smiled a little to herself.
She replied.
Celeste:
If it's not a date, then I'll allow it 😌
I'm free this Friday after 2PM.
Liam:
Perfect. You, me, Lyka. Chill hangout. Totally casual. (unless you wanna make it less casual👀)
Celeste:
Yuh yuh.
Pick us up after class, driver boy.
________
[Friday – The Not-a-Date]
The rooftop café buzzed with soft music and late-afternoon sun, warm and golden. The three of them took over a corner seat—Celeste sipping her strawberry soda, Lyka with her dark roast, and Liam smug with his obnoxiously neon "Mango Skyburst."
"Okay," Lyka muttered, squinting over her cup, "I hate to admit this, but this place is actually kind of cute."
"Told you," Liam said, lounging back like he rented the entire café. "I have unmatched taste."
"You also picked the worst flavor on the menu," Celeste pointed out, eyeing his drink like it was radioactive.
Liam shrugged, unbothered.
"Bold choices for bold people."
He let his arm rest along the back of the couch—behind Celeste but not quite touching. His hand dangled just a few inches behind her shoulder. Close enough to notice. Close enough to wonder if he'd move it.
He didn't. Not yet.
She didn't lean into it either.
Instead, she set her drink down and leaned forward just slightly—subtle enough to stay in control, distant enough to remind him: Not today. Not like that.
________
They wandered through nearby shops afterward. Liam held the door open for both girls, offered to carry their drinks, and tossed compliments like confetti.
"Careful," Lyka said dryly, "you're going to run out of flirt juice."
"Not possible," Liam said smoothly, adjusting his sunglasses. "I'm solar-powered."
Celeste rolled her eyes but smiled.
He stayed near her side the whole time. Gently guiding her by the elbow once when someone bumped into them. Plucking a stray thread from her sleeve like it was natural.
Every move felt thoughtful—just a little too thoughtful.
Like he was trying to be memorable.
And Celeste knew what he was doing.
She just wasn't biting.
________
Back at the café just before sunset, they took a few photos with the skyline behind them—Lyka pretending not to pose, Liam offering to take solo shots of Celeste.
She posed. She laughed. She let him flatter her.
But when he stood beside her for a selfie and their shoulders brushed, she took one step sideways and cropped the frame tighter.
"Send that to me?" she asked casually.
"Only if you promise to hang out again."
She gave a playful shrug.
"We'll see."
________
On the way back to the car, Liam jogged ahead and opened the back door with an exaggerated bow.
"Milady," he announced, smirking.
Celeste arched a brow.
"Trying to impress me?"
Liam leaned slightly closer, voice low and teasing.
"Is it working?"
Celeste didn't answer right away. She slid into the back seat with a slow blink, then pulled the seatbelt across her lap.
From the front seat, she said lightly,
"You're trying too hard."
Liam just chuckled as he closed the door behind her.
"That's because you're worth it."
She didn't roll her eyes this time.
She just turned toward the window—resting her cheek on her hand—watching Lyka approach with her tote bag swinging as she finished voice-messaging someone on her phone.
Celeste smiled faintly to herself…
And thought of someone else.
________
[Later That Evening – Drive Home]
Lyka had already been dropped off with a loud
"text me when you get home" and a wink.
Now, it was just Liam and Celeste in the car.
The streetlights flickered past. Music played softly in the background—some indie acoustic track that suited the moment too well.
Liam glanced at her.
"Thanks for saying yes."
Celeste smiled slightly.
"Don't get used to it."
"I won't," he said, pausing. "Unless you let me."
She rolled her eyes but didn't answer. She just looked out the window, watching the apartment building draw closer.
________
[Apartment Front – Tension Returns]
Liam pulled up smoothly in front of the gate.
"Want me to walk you up?"
Celeste was about to reply when the gate of the building opened.
Ash.
He had just gotten home from work, messenger bag slung over one shoulder, tie slightly loosened, his silver hair messy from the wind.
He looked up—and froze.
His eyes locked on the car. Then on Liam.
Then on Celeste.
Celeste stepped out slowly, shutting the door behind her. She felt Liam's eyes on her, but hers were fixed only on one person.
"Ash," she greeted casually, too casually.
Ash gave a slight nod, his voice unreadable.
"Hey..."
His gaze flicked between her and Liam, lips tightening just slightly.
Celeste smirked inside.
Liam leaned toward the open window.
"You good?" he asked her.
"Yeah," she said. "Thanks for the ride."
He lifted a hand in a small wave.
"See you around, Celeste."
And then he drove off.
Ash stepped aside so she could walk past. She did—deliberately close, brushing his shoulder with hers.
"Jealous?" she whispered playfully, lips barely moving.
Ash didn't answer.
Instead, his ears turned pink.
_______
Ash didn't say a word when he saw her getting out of Liam's car.
He didn't ask who he was, didn't ask where they went, didn't even glance too long—but Celeste noticed. The tension was easy to read in the way his shoulders slightly stiffened, and how his steps started to sync with hers like he didn't want to let her walk alone.
They walked side by side in silence.
Ash opened his mouth once.
Then closed it again.
Celeste exhaled through her nose and rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry," she said casually, "he's just my junior. Nothing more."
Ash blinked and looked at her.
His lips parted like he wanted to say something—but all that came out was a soft,
"Ah…"
Still, that seemed to calm whatever was buzzing in his chest. His shoulders eased.
The elevator door opened.
As they stepped inside, Celeste turned to him with a wicked grin.
"Oh, right. Tomorrow's the day your apartment renovation's done, huh?"
Ash blinked.
"Y-Yeah. I almost forgot…"
Celeste sighed dramatically.
"Too bad. I haven't even had the chance to sneak into your room and pounce on you while you're asleep."
"C-Cel!"
"Hehe." She threw him a peace sign with a wink, knowing exactly what she was doing. "…I'm not kidding, by the way."
Ash turned red in an instant. He stared at the elevator buttons like they had the answers to life.
Celeste grinned, victorious.
They walked out into the hallway and approached the apartment.
Celeste reached for the doorknob—but paused. Her fingers froze mid-air.
From inside, a familiar woman's voice rang out from the living room, cheerful and clear:
"Rowan, no! That's not how you pour wine—give it here!"
Ash tilted his head.
"That voice…"
Celeste slowly looked down.
A pair of glossy beige heels were placed by the front door.
Her expression dulled.
"Oh… It's a party now," she muttered dryly.
She opened the door.
And there she was—Isadora, legs folded on the couch beside Rowan, pouring wine with that effortlessly perfect smile of hers.
"Celeste! You're back!" Rowan called, clearly tipsy. "Come join us—we're celebrating a little early! Isadora brought wine!"
Isadora turned and smiled.
"Hey. Long day?"
Celeste kept her tone light. "Just the usual."
She stepped inside, placed her bag down, and casually took a seat on the floor—deliberately next to Ash.
Rowan handed Ash a drink, oblivious.
"Don't be shy, buddy. Drink!"
Celeste leaned in just a bit, letting her voice drop low, only for Ash to hear:
"Don't fall asleep later. I'm still thinking about that pounce."
Ash nearly dropped his glass.
He blushed.
While Isadora and rowan were busy laughing.
______