Kai had never paid much attention to the school's coffee shop before. The Bean Scene was tucked into a corner of the campus, a small space that served overpriced lattes to students too lazy to walk to the real coffee shops off-campus. But he'd done his research last night—called in a favor from a girl who worked in the administration office—and learned that Ezra Wells stopped here every morning at exactly 7:15 AM, fifteen minutes before first period.
So here Kai stood at 7:10 AM on a Tuesday morning, earlier than he'd been awake for school in months, holding a cup of black coffee he didn't particularly want and trying to look casual.
When Ezra walked in at precisely 7:15, Kai felt an unexpected flutter of nerves. In the morning light streaming through the windows, Ezra looked different somehow—softer, less guarded, his hair slightly mussed like he'd rushed to get ready. He wore his uniform with the same careful precision as always, but there was something vulnerable about him that Kai hadn't noticed in the common room.
Ezra went straight to the counter, ordering.
"Small green tea, please. No sugar."
Of course he drank tea. Kai didn't know why that detail felt so perfectly fitting, but it did.
This was his moment. Time to put on the charm that had always come so easily to him.
Kai stepped up beside Ezra just as the barista handed over the tea. "Hey, let me get that," he said smoothly, already pulling out his platinum credit card.
Ezra turned, surprise evident on his face as he recognized Kai. Up close, his eyes were a warm brown that seemed to catch the light, framed by long lashes that most fers would envy.
"I... that's not necessary," Ezra said, already reaching for his own wallet.
better days.
"I insist," Kai flashed his most charming smile, the one that usually made people melt. "Call it a random act of kindness."
The barista, a junior named Sophie who'd been trying to get Kai's attention for months, practically leaped to process his card. "Anything for you, Kai?"
"Just this," he gestured to the tea, then added on impulse, "and whatever pastry looks good. Surprise me."
Sophie blushed and nodded, quickly adding a croissant to the order while Ezra stood there looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"Really, you don't have to—" Ezra started again.
"Already done," Kai said lightly, taking the tea and pastry and holding them out. "Can't return it now."
For a moment, Ezra just stared at him, those brown eyes searching Kai's face for something—suspicion, maybe, or trying to figure out the angle. Kai kept his expression open and friendly, though something about Ezra's scrutiny made him feel more exposed than he was comfortable with.
Finally, Ezra took the tea and pastry with a small nod. "Thank you. That was... kind."
"Kai," he introduced himself, as if Ezra might not know who he was. "Kai Ashford."
"I know who you are," Ezra said quietly. "Everyone knows who you are."
There was no admiration in his tone, no starry-eyed fascination like Kai usually received. Just a statement of fact, neutral and unimpressed.
"And you're Ezra Wells," Kai said, liking the way the name felt in his mouth. "Top of our class, right?"
Something flickered across Ezra's face—maybe surprise that Kai knew that, maybe suspicion about why he cared. "I should get to class."
"Wait," Kai said, and Ezra paused, looking at him with those patient, unreadable eyes. "I was wondering... would you maybe want to study together sometime? I'm really struggling in British Literature, and everyone says you're the best."
It wasn't entirely a lie. Kai was doing fine in the class, but he could always do better, and Ezra genuinely was brilliant.
"I don't really do study groups," Ezra said carefully.
"Not a group. Just us. I can pay you for your time if that helps—like a tutor?"
"I don't need your money," Ezra's voice.
Kai realized his mistake. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant... look, I genuinely could use help, and you're brilliant, and I thought maybe we could help each other out."
"Help each other how? What could you possibly offer me?"
It was a fair question, and Kai found himself fumbling for an answer. What did he have that someone like Ezra would want? Money was clearly off the table. Social status? Ezra seemed to actively avoid the spotlight.
"I don't know," Kai admitted, and the honesty surprised him. "Maybe just... company? Everyone needs friends, right?"
Ezra's expression shifted slightly, something almost sad passing through his eyes. "We're not friends, Kai Ashford. We're barely acquaintances. You buying me tea doesn't change that."
"Maybe not yet," Kai said, "but it's a start."
For a long moment, they just looked at each other. Kai could see Ezra processing, weighing, trying to figure out what was happening and why. Finally, Ezra spoke.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why now? We've been in the same school for years. You've never spoken to me before. Why are you suddenly interested in being my friend or getting my help or whatever this is?"
It was the question Kai had been dreading, because he didn't have a good answer. He certainly couldn't tell the truth.
"Does it matter?" he asked instead. "Can't I just want to get to know someone interesting?"
"I'm not interesting," Ezra said flatly. "I'm boring. I study, I work, I go home. That's my whole life. Trust me, you'd be disappointed."
"Let me decide that for myself," Kai challenged.
Ezra studied him for another moment, then sighed softly. "One study session. Thursday after school, library, third floor. If you're not serious, don't bother showing up."
Before Kai could respond, Ezra was walking away, his tea in one hand and the pastry in the other, his slim figure disappearing into the morning crowd of students.
Kai stood there feeling like he'd just run a marathon. That had been... harder than expected. Ezra Wells wasn't going to be easy to charm or impress. He had walls built so high that Kai's usual tactics seemed to bounce right off them.
His phone buzzed with a text from Dante: How'd it go, Romeo?
Kai considered his response, then typed back: First contact made. It's going to take time.
You got time. Four months, remember? Don't lose that confidence, Ash. You got this.
Kai pocketed his phone and headed to his own first period class, his mind already working on strategy. Thursday. He had three days to figure out how to make Ezra Wells actually want to spend time with him.