Chapter 3 – Stubborn Messages
922 Words
Ellise’s POV
Most people would’ve stopped.
A world-famous idol tells you flat out—Don’t waste your time—and you pack up your pride, save your dignity, and move on.
But not me. Nope.
I am Ellise Blair, professional overthinker, certified chatterbox, and apparently, the girl who refuses to leave an international superstar alone.
So, with my messy bun lopsided and my laptop open for a “study session” I wasn’t actually doing, I found myself typing out another message.
> Fun fact: Did you know sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins?
I paused, reread it, cringed, and laughed at the same time.
Why sloths? Why was that the first thing that came to mind? I should’ve sent something cool, something flirty, something clever—
But no. My brain said, “sloth,” and I just went with it.
With a groan, I slammed my head gently onto my desk. “You are the queen of embarrassing yourself, Ellise.”
“Talking to yourself again?”
I jumped. Amara Zoey peeked into my room, holding a bag of chips, one brow raised. “What’d you do now?”
“Nothing!”
“Liar. Your voice is doing the squeaky thing.” She flopped down on my bed, ripped open the chips, and munched like she owned the place. “So? Did he reply?”
“No,” I admitted, sinking into my chair. “But I sent him something anyway.”
Her eyes widened. “You didn’t—Ellise. Tell me you didn’t.”
“It wasn’t that bad!” I said defensively. “Just… a sloth fact.”
“A sloth fact.” She blinked at me. “To Renji Sage. The man who’s literally the cover of Vogue Asia. The guy with abs carved by angels. The one people call the ‘Ice Prince of K-pop.’ And you… sent him a sloth fact.”
“...Yes?”
Amara Zoey buried her face in a pillow. “This is why I can’t trust you with a phone.”
I giggled, hugging my knees to my chest. “If he replies, then I win. If he doesn’t, well… at least I entertained myself.”
“You’re insane.”
“Maybe.” I grinned. “But at least I’m a fun kind of insane.”
---
Renji’s POV
“Ren, focus!”
Kai’s voice jolted me back as I stumbled through the choreography for the second time that morning.
“Sorry,” I muttered, adjusting my cap and shaking off the distraction.
“You okay, man?” Leo asked, leaning against the mirror. He was older, calmer, always watching. “You’ve been out of it lately.”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. Too quickly.
Kai wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t push it. “Just don’t slack. We’ve got comeback stages lined up.”
I nodded, but my thoughts were elsewhere. Specifically, in my phone, sitting in my bag across the room.
Because when I checked earlier, there it was.
Another DM.
From her.
Fun fact: Did you know sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins?
I didn’t know whether to laugh, roll my eyes, or throw my phone out the window. Who was this girl? Who sends sloth trivia to someone like me?
But against my will, the corner of my mouth twitched upward.
Ridiculous. Childish.
And yet… weirdly refreshing.
---
Ellise’s POV – later that day at campus café
The café was buzzing with chatter, the smell of coffee beans filling the air. I was supposed to be reviewing my notes, but let’s be honest—I hadn’t retained a single thing.
My phone sat on the table, screen down, taunting me.
Amara Zoey stabbed her straw into her iced latte. “You’re being weird again.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, propping my chin on my palm.
“You’re waiting for him to reply.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.” She leaned closer, squinting. “Ellise Blair, admit it. You’re waiting for the Ice Prince to grace you with another cold shoulder.”
I groaned dramatically, dropping my head onto my notes. “Why is he so mean? He could’ve just… ignored me forever. But no, he had to say something.”
“And now you’re hooked,” she said, smirking.
“Maybe,” I mumbled into the paper.
She laughed, patting my back. “Well, at least your life isn’t boring anymore.”
I shot her a glare, but she wasn’t wrong.
---
Renji’s POV – that night after practice
The others had gone home. I stayed behind, claiming I needed extra practice. The truth was, I needed quiet.
Sitting against the wall, towel draped around my neck, I pulled out my phone.
Her DM still glowed on the screen. I stared at it for a full minute before my fingers finally moved.
Renji Sage: Why are you telling me this?
Short. Cold. The usual.
Safe.
I tossed the phone aside, telling myself that was enough.
But then—buzz.
I froze, grabbed it again.
Ellise Blair: Because you told me not to waste my time, so I decided to waste yours instead. :)
I blinked. Read it again. And again.
Was she seriously… joking with me? Teasing me?
I should’ve been annoyed. Instead, a laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
This girl… She wasn’t like the others.
And I hated to admit it, but part of me wanted to know what she’d say next.
- Writer
