When we finally stepped outside, the cold breeze brushed past us, the sun already beginning to dip behind the campus buildings painting everything gold and sleepy.
Kenan walked beside me.
Neither of us said much.
There wasn't much to say. Everything that needed to be said had been left behind in the quiet corner of that café.
Still, I glanced sideways, watching as the wind caught the edge of his sleeve. We passed the usual stretch of greenery that lined the walkway trees swaying, flowers bending, people laughing in the distance.
If someone had told me a month ago that I'd be walking peacefully next to Kenan without plotting his slow, satisfying demise I would've laughed and told them to check into the nearest hospital.
But maybe I should've been the one checked in instead.
Because here we were.
And the silence between us wasn't awkward anymore, it was warm. Comfortable. Too comfortable.
I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly hot despite the chill. Something about this quiet air made me restless.
"Am I seeing you tomorrow for the fitting?" I asked, voice softer than I intended.
He side-eyed me. "Wouldn't I not be needed though?"
His voice held that familiar sarcastic edge, and I rolled my eyes.
I let out a scoff.
His sarcastic tone sounded better than that soft voice he used earlier.
"I'll take it from here. Thanks for the drink," I said, giving a lazy wave goodbye.
He nodded once, hands tucked into his pockets as he turned and walked off without another word.
I watched his back retreat for a second longer than I should've, then quickly turned and continued on my own path.
But the moment I did, I instinctively grabbed my chest.
Ugh, fuck.
Something's wrong with me.
Why the hell was my heart beating so fast?
I slowed down, but it didn't help. My palms felt clammy, and my throat was tight like I'd swallowed something warm and electric.
Why am I nervous around him?
He didn't even do anything. We didn't argue. He didn't tease me too hard. We just… walked. Talked. And somehow, that was worse.
I shook my head, trying to snap out of it.
"you're a really good partner to have"
His words echoed back to me, and I groaned aloud.
My legs picked up speed. I needed to get home. Wash my face.Something.
The walk back to my dorm was spent playing a game of emotional tug-of-war with myself pushing, pull, deny, overthink, repeat.
I couldn't quite grasp what I felt for Kenan. Not yet. Everything was too fuzzy… too much like static in my head to put any real label on.
Confusing.
All I knew was that he irritated me.
His pheromones.
His presence.
His entire stupid face.
...Hate to admit it but it's a very pretty face.
Ugh.
I ruffled my own hair in frustration, dragging a hand down my face as I climbed the dorm stairs.
Something is definitely wrong with me.
God. Maybe I do need to switch partners if only to save whatever is left of my dignity.
But then his voice flashed back in my mind.
"Of course not. As much as we don't get along, you're a really nice partner to have."
And worse… I liked hearing it.
I stopped outside my door, key frozen in my hand.
What the hell is happening to me?
—------
I hurried to the assigned room, nearly tripping over myself in the process.
I'd slept through every single alarm. Five, to be exact. And every time, I smacked that snooze button like my life depended on it until Jacob stormed in yelling, "It's your alarm, so why am I the one suffering?!"
So yeah. I was late.
Sweat clung to my skin as I jogged down the hall, but it finally cooled the moment I stepped into the chilled room.
"Sorry, guys," I called as I entered, catching my breath.
Leone was leaning back in a chair, glued to his phone. I walked over, mildly sheepish.
"Hey. Sorry for being late — one of those mornings. My alarm didn't go off."
A lie. A big one.
But he didn't need to know that.
Leone glanced up "It's fine. I've only been waiting ten minutes."
I nodded in gratitude and placed my bag down, quickly pulling out my sketchbook and the jacket we'd been working on.
Just one last fitting. One more measurement. Then a final photo, and we were done.
As I placed the jacket on the table, a rustling noise came from the fitting room nearby.
"Kenan, are you fighting with the clothes in there?" Meeka shouted, exasperated.
"My hair's stuck in the zipper."
I snorted.
Meeka sighed. "Let me help."
I kept my attention on the jacket, forcing a polite smile onto my face as I motioned for Leone to try it on.
From the corner of my eye, Meeka re-emerged from the changing room, chest rising like she'd just run a marathon.
Was it really that hard?
Our eyes met, and she grinned. Too brightly.
"Ciro! Can you help?"
"With…?"
"I tried, but that zipper's possessed. I told him we should just cut it, but someone refused!" Her voice grew louder at the last part.
"Tch. What a toddler," I muttered, grabbing the nearest pair of scissors and trudging towards the changing room.
So much for peace.
The room was warm and stiflingly thick with heat and frustration.. I waved a hand as I entered. "Why is it so hot in here?"
Kenan froze, back to me, jacket half-on and stuck around his head like a deflated parachute.
"What are you doing here?" he snapped.
"To rescue you, obviously." I wiggled the scissors in my hand.
I didn't need to move much because the distance between us was already gone.
"Where is it stuck?" I asked, peering up at the half-zipped disaster.
"How would I know?" he snapped, muffled behind the fabric. "I can't see it."
"So rude," I muttered, already turning to leave. "Handle it yourself then."
But his hand shot out and grabbed mine quick, firmly.
"You can just check," he said, voice lower now.
Almost... hesitant.
I sighed but turned back around, a crooked smile tugging at my lips. It wasn't hard to find. A few strands of hair had caught in the zipper's teeth, holding him hostage.
"Kenan, we're gonna have to use the scissors. If I pull this, you're losing a chunk of hair."
He groaned but leaned his head forward. "Just do it."
I snipped carefully, freeing the strand and with it, Kenan finally pulled the jacket off and tossed it aside.
Bare chest. Defined lines. Subtle muscles shifting beneath the pale skin.
I held up the tiny strands of hair between my fingers and raised an eyebrow. "This is what you were afraid of losing?"
He rubbed the sore spot on his head, looking down at me with that half-lidded stare. "Shut up," he muttered, taking the strand from me.
That's when I noticed everything I'd tried not to notice.
How hot the room had gotten again.
How low and steady his breath sounded.
How his eyes lingered on mine a second too long.
Our breaths mingled, shallow and warm.
His chest brushed mine as he shifted, the bare contact brief but it shot straight through me.
I swallowed and forced my gaze away, but not before mentally cursing the fact that he had the kind of body sculpted by genetics and gym dedication. I thought of my own and sighed internally.
Why was this affecting me?
"Anything else?" I asked, ready to bolt.
He turned slightly, and for a moment, I thought he'd let me go.
But his hand caught my shoulder.
Again.
I scowled. "Kenan, is this your new habit or something?"
He didn't let go. His fingers curled gently, almost unsure. "Are you okay?"
I blinked. "W-what?"
"Your face is red. You're sweating. Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine," I snapped, a little too fast. "The room is just cramped. And hot."
I shook off his grip and stormed out before he could say anything else.
The checking and final adjustments went smoothly. Everything fit the way it was supposed to, the measurements were on point, and for once, nothing fell apart last minute.
I was exhausted.
Dragging my bag behind me, I made my way toward the dorms. My limbs still felt heavy, my eyelids low from lack of sleep or maybe just emotional fatigue.
I had just started descending the front steps when I heard someone call out from behind me.
"Let me tag along."
I turned. Leone.
I gave a small nod. We were heading the same way anyway. And honestly, I didn't mind the company.
"Thanks for helping out," I said after a moment, glancing at him from the corner of my eye.
Leone, hands in his pockets, smiled lightly. "No problem. I'm glad I could help."
There was a pause before I added, "If there's ever anything you need seriously don't be afraid to message me."
He nodded again. Our pace matched. We didn't speak much after that, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Just quiet.
Easy.
We split at the crossroads near the dorms, a short wave exchanged between us.
And just like that, the assignment was down to its final day.
One more day… and I could finally crash without a care in the world.
Just a weekend of sleep and peace.
Hopefully