Saying no to people was supposed to be easy. For Kai, it usually was. Unless, of course, if the people in question were pretty. Pretty people were dangerous.
He learned that lesson when he was six.
Emma, the prettiest girl in his class, had leaned across her desk and asked to borrow his pen. He told her no without hesitation. Then she unleashed the eyes. Big, watery, tragic puppy eyes. He cracked in under five seconds.
Later that same day, Ben, the prettiest boy in class, asked for his eraser. Puppy eyes already in action. Kai didn't even hesitate, he nodded like a broken lizard and gave him the eraser. Ben never gave it back. Neither did Emma.
Since then, Kai had made a decision;
"Never trust pretty people, especially pretty boys."
Fast forward eleven years.
First day of senior year was not going well for Kai and he knew it the moment he stepped out of his house.
A bird had left a 'gift' on his brand-new truck, right on the hood, like it was claiming ownership. He had tried to wipe it off, but it only looked messier.
He could've have let that slide, but then their neighbor's dog, Marcelo, sneered at him through the fence. They were never on good terms but Marcelo was being extra that morning.
Call Kai superstitious, but there were some signs he just couldn't ignore.
Kai pulled into the school parking lot, his uniform immaculately pressed, president of the student council, captain of the basketball team, and a certified expert in avoiding trouble. Or so he liked to think.
Inside, the school buzzed with first-day energy. Lockers slammed, sneakers squeaked, and a couple of freshmen got lost before they even reached homeroom. Students called out to him as he walked by, "Morning, Prez!" "Big speech today?" and Kai gave lazy waves like a celebrity who hadn't had coffee yet.
Emma caught up to him near the office, clutching her books. "So, Mr. President," she teased, "what's your big plan for the school year? Free vending machines? Homework bans?"
"My plan is survival," Kai said flatly. "That's it."
Emma rolled her eyes.
Before he could say more, Mr. Bond, the principal called out through the hall. "Ah, Kai! Just the person I was looking for."
Kai stopped in his tracks. Mr. Bond liked to think he was besties with everyone on the student council. But it just meant more work for them.
And sure enough, the Mr. Bond had work for him right then. He motioned him closer. Standing beside him was someone Kai had definitely never seen before. A boy. A very pretty boy.
"Meet Yi Fan," he said warmly. "He's a new transfer student. Since you're our student body president, I'd like you to show him around today before the general assembly."
Kai blinked, Then nodded. "Of course Mr.Bond. Emma and I will show him around." He had on a broad smile that felt really fake. Because it was, he just wanted to be in class already.
Yi Fan gave a polite bow of his head. He wasn't short, but he wasn't tall either maybe around five-six. His hair was dark and wavy, his eyes bright, almond-shaped, and far too easy to notice. His smile was soft, the kind that made you want to pinch his cheeks. And he had dimples!
"Nice to meet you," Yi Fan said, voice gentle.
Kai managed a stiff nod. "Yeah. Uh. Welcome to Tudors. I'm Kai and this is Emma."
Yi Fan gave a short wave at Emma. She moved forward and clasped his hand into a shake.
"Nice to meet you. I'm the vice president." She said, voice higher than usual.
"Good," Mr. Bond said, clapping his hands. "Yi Fan, you'll be in Kai's care today. He'll answer any questions you have." He paused. "And Emma too, they will help out with all you need."
With that, Mr. Bond disappeared down the hall, leaving Kai stuck with two people he didn't want to hangout with at the moment.
"Shall we?" Yi Fan asked, tilting his head.
Kai sighed, already regretting his entire senior year. "Yep. Let's get this over with."
…
The tour went as expected: awkward and rushed.
Kai pointed out classrooms and stairwells with the speed of someone trying to finish a chore. "That's the library. Don't eat in there. That's the gym. Don't get lost. Bathrooms are… self-explanatory."
Yi Fan followed calmly, nodding and occasionally asking questions…What sports does the school offer? Which cafeteria line moves faster? but Kai's answers were short, clipped, designed to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
Emma, trailing behind them, was not helping. Every time Yi Fan spoke, she smiled like he was the most interesting person in the world. And she gave long answers which just made things slower.
By the time they reached the assembly hall, Kai was internally exhausted.
"Thanks for showing me around," Yi Fan said, giving him that same soft smile.
Kai froze for a second, then, "yeah, no problem, it's my job."
he turned on his heels immediately and walked towards the podium.
It was time to speak to the students like the mature president he is. He adjusted his tie, forcing his mind onto the speech ahead. And all thoughts of dimpled smiles were put away. Out of sight, out of mind.