Koe
I walked into the lecture room where we had class that morning.
Something was off. I recognized it instantly.
He wasn't here.
My eyes swept the room once—only once—and confirmed it. Irritation stirred low in my chest.
Keeping my expression neutral, I walked toward Bry, who had already saved me a seat. Such an angel.
But my thoughts kept circling one thing: my nerd was missing, and I'd noticed immediately.
My gaze caught on his friend—Jesse, I think. He was watching me, not with Fir's intensity, but with something closer to apology. I rolled my eyes internally.
Was he sick?
Injured?
The worry slipped in before I could stop it.
"You look good, Ko!" Bry chirped as I reached our seats. She never pronounced my name right—Ko-e—but I didn't correct her. I was too distracted.
"Hey, Bry," I replied.
She studied my face, then glanced around the room, clearly about to say something. But she stayed quiet. Good. Bry could be annoyingly interrogative when she wanted to be, and I had no patience for it today.
I slid into my seat and pulled out my phone.
Without thinking, I opened the general class group chat, my eyes searching for one profile.
What the hell am I doing?
I exited the app and dropped the phone onto my lap. When I looked up, Bry was staring at me like I'd grown a second head. Still, she said nothing.
No questions.
No answers.
Yet the restlessness wouldn't leave.
Maybe I shouldn't have said "hi" to him that day.
One thing I've learned about myself over the years: the moment I intentionally acknowledge someone, they begin to occupy space in my mind. I become deliberate about them—consciously and unconsciously.
And now that I'd tagged him mine in my head, I wouldn't stop until it became reality.
Later that day…
Lectures ended. My driver was already waiting, and I managed to avoid Bry's probing eyes as I left.
Right now, I was following Jesse.
You'd think someone friends with a "stalker" would be more aware of his surroundings. He wasn't. I'd been tailing him across campus for nearly twenty minutes—not because it was hard, but because I kept reconsidering.
I should go back.
I shouldn't do this.
I shouldn't even care.
But what if he was hurt?
Shit.
"Jesse."
My voice cut through the air, final.
He jolted, spinning around so fast he nearly tripped. For a second, I was sure he'd bolt.
"Don't," I warned.
I wasn't in the mood to chase anyone—especially not while my nerves were already stretched thin.
He froze, looking thoroughly constipated. I would've laughed if it wouldn't terrify him further.
"Where is he?" I asked.
It sounded better in my head.
My body burned as I waited for his response.
He opened his mouth, hesitated. "Who…?"
I rolled my eyes—this time, openly.
"…Fir," I said quietly.
His eyes widened. Shock. Confusion. Disbelief.
I swear, if he asked another stupid question—
Instead, he fumbled for his phone, tapped a few times, and shoved it toward me.
—Sick. Taking a few days off.
A message.
From him.
My nerd.
The knot in my chest loosened instantly. Relief washed through me—followed almost immediately by something uglier.
Jealousy.
It made no sense. I'd only said "hi" to him once. There was no reason for him to tell me anything.
Still… did he know how worried I'd been?
"Fir sent me that this morning," Jesse said, his voice rough. "He should be at home… I guess."
That was enough.
"Thanks," I said.
I turned to leave, then stopped. "Do not tell him about this, Jesse."
I held his gaze until he nodded. He probably thought I hated him. That was unfortunate—but inevitable.
I made a quick stop at the Level Adviser's office before getting back into the car.
My driver glanced at the paper I handed him, questioning. One look from me shut that down. No questions.
The next time he looked at me, we were there.
Simply insane.
What was I thinking?
What do I do now?
I should leave.
I motioned for my driver to start the car.
Then I saw him.
Shit.
If I'd thought he was tall and handsome before, this was something else entirely.
He was in dark sweats. Casual. Unguarded. His glasses were gone.
So he could see without them.
Good. I'd make him show me his eyes properly soon enough.
His hair—curls.
Soft. Untamed.
He looked like a fucking angel.
Shit.
I fell deeper.
Maybe he felt my gaze, because suddenly he was looking straight at the car. I knew he couldn't see through the tinted windows, but my heart stuttered anyway.
Shit.
The car pulled away, slowly, carrying me out of his line of sight.
He didn't look away.
He never did.
My fucking nerd.