Chapter 7
400 Words
The Bold One
Ethan had settled into a rhythm with Leo as his study partner and Adrian as his unpredictable roommate, though he still couldn’t understand why the two always seemed tense around each other.
Then came Kai.
It started one random Tuesday in literature class. The professor had asked for volunteers to read, and Ethan, of course, avoided eye contact.
“Kai?” the professor called.
A boy at the back stretched lazily, his voice smooth as he read aloud with little effort. When class ended, he leaned back in his chair and called across the room, “Hey, you—quiet guy. Ethan, right?”
Ethan turned, startled. “Uh… yeah?”
Kai smirked. “You never talk in class. What, cat got your tongue?”
Ethan flushed. “I just… prefer listening.”
Kai stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and sauntered closer. “Interesting. Guess I’ll sit next to you from now on. You look less boring up close.”
Ethan blinked in confusion, but Kai had already dropped into the empty chair beside him, grinning like he owned the place.
From that day, Kai made it his mission to stick close. He teased Ethan in class, shared his snacks, even poked his cheek when Ethan spaced out.
“You’re fun to bother,” Kai said with a smirk.
Ethan sighed, unsure if he should be annoyed or flattered.
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Later that week, Adrian found Ethan in the cafeteria — sitting with Leo on one side and Kai on the other. Both were leaning in, talking to him.
Adrian stopped dead, fury flashing in his eyes before he plastered on a smile and strolled over.
“Puppy,” he said, sliding into the seat directly across from Ethan. “Didn’t know you were so popular.”
Leo frowned at the nickname. Kai raised an eyebrow. “Puppy?”
Ethan groaned. “Don’t call me that here, Adrian.”
But Adrian only smirked wider, locking eyes with Kai as if issuing a challenge.
Leo cleared his throat politely. “We were just studying for tomorrow’s quiz.”
Kai leaned back with a sly grin. “Studying, huh? Looked more like flirting to me.”
Ethan nearly choked on his drink. “Wh-what?! Nobody’s flirting!”
The three exchanged a look over Ethan’s head — silent war declared.
Ethan, oblivious, thought: Why are they all acting weird?
- Writer
