When We First Met

Busted But Not Arrested

After the big event, Tine found herself in a whirlwind of chaos. The fans of Eustace swarmed her social media feed like bees to honey, bombarding her with questions and accusations. Some even whispered that there might be a bounty on her head. Thankfully, her friends Man and Bam managed to cover up the situation, shielding her from the worst of it.

Amidst the chaos, Tine and Eustace resumed their routine, distributing flyers for the upcoming music festival organized by the music club. The sun blazed overhead, and Tine's patience was wearing thin. "Why does Miss Chic make us do all this?" she complained, fanning herself with a flyer. "It's so hot, I'm exhausted, and I'm dying of thirst."

"Stop complaining," Eustace retorted.

Tine shot him a glare but held her tongue. Moments later, Eustace turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "Hey, Tine... Can you handle the rest? I have to go to guitar practice."

"Do it yourself," Tine snapped back, her frustration bubbling over.

"You are so ungrateful," Eustace countered, exasperation evident in his voice. "I helped you out the other day when you were trying to flirt with Gavin. Can't you do me a small favor in return?"

Tine's eyes flashed with anger. "Oh yeah? Your fandom flooded

my social media, putting a bounty on my head.

If it weren't for Man and Bam telling them it was a joke, who knows what would have happened! Next time, don't go so big."

Eustace's lips curved into a teasing smile. "If I made you blush too much, just say it," he said, handing her the remaining flyers before walking away.

Tine sighed heavily, her frustration palpable. Just then, Lawrence bumped into her, scattering his own stack of flyers. Tine crouched to help him pick them up, a small smile playing on her lips despite her irritation.

"Thank you, Tine," Lawrence said, his eyes warm and appreciative.

Tine's smile widened, the earlier tension melting away. "You remember my name?"

"Of course. You taught me a chord once, remember? You're in the Faculty of Laws, right?"

"Yes, that's right," Tine replied, feeling a flutter of happiness at being remembered.

"I have a friend there—Clifford," Lawrence continued.

"Ah yes, Clifford. We're actually group mates for last week's report," Tine responded.

"How did it go?" Lawrence asked, his curiosity genuine.

"We did pretty well," Tine said, nodding.

Lawrence glanced at the stack of flyers in Tine's hands. "Why do you have so many?"

"Eustace left me with these," Tine explained, rolling her eyes.

Just as their conversation was getting comfortable, Eustace reappeared, unnoticed by Tine. He had gone to buy a strawberry milk for her, remembering she was thirsty. But seeing her engaged in a lively chat with Lawrence, he silently walked away, sipping the drink meant for her.

Later that afternoon, Eustace and Tine crossed paths again in the canteen. Tine seemed to be in high spirits. "You're in a good mood, huh?" Eustace observed.

"None of your business," Tine replied in a sassy tone. "I guess you're done with your practice since you have time to bother me here."

"Yes, I left early. I need to refurnish my room," Eustace said.

"That's good. Your room looks like a haunted house," Tine quipped, mocking him.

"Help me," Eustace demanded.

"In your dreams!" Tine shot back. "I have plans with Lawrence this afternoon. We're going to buy some LANY albums."

"Then how about evening?"

"I have cheerleading practice... If you need help, go ask your fans. You have an army," she said, walking away with a dismissive wave. "Bye~"

"Damn you..." Eustace muttered, pouting as he watched her leave.

That evening, the cheerleaders were in the field, practicing their new choreography. Fio and her secretary directed the practice with a firm hand. Suddenly, a phone rang, disrupting the session.

"How many times do I have to tell you to put your phones on silent?" Fio yelled.

The secretary checked the bags and found the culprit. "It's Tine's. Eustace is calling."

Tine's heart sank. "I'm doomed..." she thought, apologizing profusely to Fio.

"Go answer it quickly. Don't keep Eustace waiting," Fio said with an understanding smile.

Tine picked up the phone, her voice tinged with anxiety. "Hello?"

"Are you done practicing?" Eustace asked.

On the other end, Fio resumed directing the cheerleaders. "All eyes on me, everyone!"

"Can you help me now with my room?" Eustace asked

.

"Can you stop dreaming? I'm still in practice, and I'm starving," Tine said, her tone weary.

"What do you want to eat?" Eustace asked.

"Are you buying me snacks?" Tine asked, hopeful.

"Did I say I would?"

Tine rolled her eyes, frustration mounting. "I freaking hate you! Let's make a deal: if you bring me snacks, I'll let you grab my boobs," she offered playfully.

Suddenly, Eustace hung up...

Moments later, Fio and the other girls screamed. Tine turned, confused, to see Eustace approaching with bags of snacks. He had already bought them in advance.

"Ah... Fifteen-minute break, everyone! Take a break," Fio announced, trying to maintain her composure as she approached Eustace. "Eustace, you brought us snacks?"

"I told him to," Tine interjected, cutting Eustace off. "I saw everyone was tired, so I asked him to buy snacks. Don't fight over them, guys."

In a quieter corner, Tine and Eustace found a moment of peace. "So, you can be kind too..." Tine said, her tone softer. "Sorry if I call you an asshole sometimes."

Eustace's gaze dropped to her chest. "Can I grab your boobs now?"

"Hey! Boobs what?" Tine exclaimed, startled. "I was just joking."

"But I'm serious," Eustace replied, his eyes gleaming.

"Stop... Stop..." Tine protested, noticing his hand moving. "I SAID STOP IT! Damn you! You know I could report you to the police?"

"Sorry... I was just playing," Eustace said, smirking.

Tine sighed."By the way, the seniors want to know if you have a

girlfriend.

They saw you created a f*******: and i********: account but don't follow anyone."

"Follow?" Eustace asked, looking puzzled.

Tine scratched her head. "I forgot you're new to social media. Following someone means you keep up with their posts. It's a way to show interest to someone."

Eustace nodded and, without her noticing, followed Tine's i********: account.

"So, do you have eyes on someone?" Tine asked.

"I'm hitting on you. How can I have eyes for someone else?" Eustace said, his gaze steady.

"It's fake. It doesn't count! Give me a real answer. Do you like someone now?" she demanded.

Eustace remained silent. Tine's phone pinged with a notification—Eustace had followed her.

"Hey! Why are you following me?" she asked, bewildered.

"I told you, the one I follow is the one I like," Eustace said, his eyes focused on her.

Tine's emotions swirled in confusion. "When will you stop messing with me?"

Before Eustace could respond, Fio called the cheerleaders

back to practice. "Let's get back to work, guys."

"I have to go," Tine said to Eustace. "Thanks for the snacks. And don't forget to follow other people," she added as she joined the others.

Eustace watched her leave, a small smile playing on his lips.

After practice, Tine looked around, searching for someone. Fio approached her. "Eustace already went home, but he left this for you," she said, handing Tine a piece of paper folded into quarters.

Inside was a key and a note: "Here's the spare key to my house. Help me clean my room. Meet me at 7 a.m. DON'T BAIL!"

The next morning, as promised, Tine arrived at Eustace's place at 7 a.m. She knocked on the door but got no response. Remembering the key, she let herself in and found Eustace wrapped in a blanket, still asleep.

"Eustace! Wake up!" she called, shaking him. When he didn't stir, she pulled the blanket off, only to find him half-naked.

"s**t!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing crimson.

"Oh? You're here?" Eustace mumbled, half-awake.

"Can you put on some clothes?!" Tine said, covering her eyes. "I'll wait outside."

Once Eustace was dressed, he offered her a cup of coffee. "Why did you even sleep like that?" she asked, exasperated. "You could've worn a tank top."

"It was hot last night... And that's how guys sleep," he explained. "So, you saw half of everything in the Eustace expo," he added, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Tine rolled her eyes, slightly exasperated. "Aren't you even a bit embarrassed that I saw you like that?" she sighed, trying to regain composure. "What do I do now?

"I called you over to help refurnish right?" Eustace replied nonchalantly.

"Organize what, exactly?"

"Everything. Start with my shoes," Eustace instructed.

"Can I just let you grab my boobs and then go?" Tine said playfully.

But Eustace took it seriously, "Okay," he said moving closer to her

"Seriously?! Hey, hey! Stop right there. I was kidding," Tine sighed, exasperated.

"Okay, I'll do it.."

Tine glanced at the array of footwear. "Do you even wear half of these?" she asked, pointing to a worn-out pair.

"Yeah, they're comfortable," Eustace defended.

"Comfortable, my foot," Tine retorted playfully. "If your fans knew you kept these relics, they'd probably donate new ones."

"I don't accept gifts," Eustace said, not making an eye contact.

"But for you, I might make an exception," he added, finally meet8ng the eyes of her.

Tine raised an eyebrow. "Me? And why would I buy you shoes?" she replied, feigning nonchalance.

"Hey, help me change these bed sheets. I'm tired of black," Eustace changed the subject, pulling out fresh linens.

As they tackled the bed, Tine drove the conversation toward lighter topics. "So, what's your band playing at the music festival tomorrow?" she asked.

"Why do you ask?" Eustace shot back.

"You know I love LANY. 'Pink Skies' is one of my favorites," Tine explained.

"And you're telling me this because...?" Eustace quizzed.

"Could you play it for me tomorrow?" Tine requested eagerly.

"The seniors have already set the playlist," Eustace replied, a hint of regret in his voice.

"Please try to convince them. I'd love to hear it live," Tine pleased, her eyes hopeful.

"They've made up their minds. Just help me with these sheets, okay?" Eustace insisted.

"Then, I won't do it," Tine sighed disappointedly.

"Fine, I'll talk to them. Now, help me finish making this bed," Eustace conceded with a sigh.

Tine obliged, smoothing out the last crease. "All set," she declared.

"Go test it?" Eustace teased, gently pushing her onto the freshly made bed.

"Oh, it's... uh, it's comfortable," Tine stammered, caught off guard.

"And it smells nice too," Eustace added, settling above her.

"What are you doing?" Tine laughed nervously, as Eustace leaned closer.

"Just testing the sheets," Eustace murmured, his voice softer.

"You don't have to test them like this," Tine protested, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.

Before she could say more, the door swung open. "Son, I brought your—" Eustace's mom entered, trailed by his younger brother, Euwone.

Euwone grinned mischievously at the sight before him. Eustace and Tine quickly scrambled to their feet, cheeks burning with embarrassment.