Chapter Two:
The first week of August came with a warmth that clung to the air, the kind that made the afternoons feel endless. Exams were close, but Business Studies still felt like our secret corner of the world.
That day, I arrived early. The classroom was half empty, sunlight pouring through the windows in golden streaks. I sat near the middle, pulling out my notebook, when I felt a shadow fall over my desk.
“Morning,” he said, his voice low and warm, as if it belonged to me alone. He dropped his bag on the desk beside mine, even though it wasn’t his usual seat.
“You’re early,” I teased.
He shrugged. “Guess I felt like sitting here today.”
Our teacher wasn’t in yet, so the room filled with soft chatter from other students. But for me, the world had narrowed to the space between Blxcee and me. He leaned slightly toward me, resting his arm on the back of my chair, close enough that I could feel his presence without him even touching me.
He smelled faintly of mint and something else—something I couldn’t name but wanted to keep breathing in.
“Are you ready for the test next week?” he asked.
“Not really,” I admitted. “But I’ll survive.”
He grinned. “We could study together this weekend. I mean… if you want.”
I looked at him, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’d like that.”
And just like that, the plan was made.
---
The weekend came, and so did he—standing outside my house with a smile that could make anyone forget their own name. We studied for a while, but soon the books were closed, and we were lying side by side on the grass in my backyard, watching the clouds drift.
“This is nice,” he murmured, his eyes on the sky. “Just… being here.”
I turned my head to look at him. The sunlight touched his face like it was made for him. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
“You ever feel like some people are… meant to meet?” he asked suddenly.
I swallowed. “Maybe.”
He looked at me then really looked at me and the world seemed to still. His gaze lingered on my lips for just a heartbeat before he looked away, as if he’d almost said something he wasn’t ready to say.
And I knew.
We were standing on the edge of something.
Something that could change everything.