COLLIDE WITH YOU

EPISODE 5 - A SMALL STEP

The library smelled like old books and tension. I was trying to focus on our project, but Noah’s presence made it impossible. Every time I looked at him, my blood boiled — and yet, I couldn’t stop sneaking glances.

“Charlotte, pass me the calculator,” he said without looking up.

I threw it at him — a little harder than necessary. “Here! Happy now?”

He caught it effortlessly and gave me one of those looks — sharp, cold, but with something flickering behind his eyes. Something almost… human.

“I don’t know why I’m even trying with you,” I muttered, crossing my arms.

He finally looked at me, eyes narrowing. “Because you won’t give up. You’re stubborn.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came. Instead, I noticed how focused he was, how precise his movements were, and for a split second, he wasn’t the cold genius — he was just… a person.

“Don’t look so surprised,” he said quietly, as if reading my thoughts.

I blinked. “I’m not…”

“Yes, you are,” he said, and a tiny smirk tugged at his lips.

The tension didn’t disappear, and we were still enemies. But for the first time, I felt it — a spark. A small, dangerous spark that told me this project was only the beginning… and maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t completely heartless.