The university campus was quieter than usual; most students had vanished into classrooms or the library.
Raye walked briskly, backpack tight against her shoulder. Jane was tied up with a project, leaving her alone—a rare moment of peace.
She had a project to finish and insisted Raye leave early, so she was alone—for the first time that day, she thought she could breathe.
How could she though , when it felt like someone was following her .
Ok she noticed it , but decide to ignore it _ she knew exactly who it was too ..
Raye closed her eyes tightly, before quickening her steps .
Until… a familiar shadow fell into step behind her.
Raye glanced over her shoulder. "Kyle? You following me?....or should I say stalking me ??"
He smirked, hands tucked casually into his hoodie pockets. "Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to make sure you didn't get yourself lost."
Raye snorted, walking faster. "Uh-huh. Totally normal. Senior following a first-year. Nothing suspicious."
"Normal's boring," he said smoothly. "And I'm not here to be boring."
Her stomach twisted. Of course he wasn't. Kyle never did anything boring.
They walked in silence for a few steps, the crisp air filling the space between them.
" Don't you have like classes or stuff " Raye asked picking up a dry twig trying not to look at him .
Today , she didn't feel like getting a taxi and rather she wanted to take a long walk home .
Because they said walks sometimes help clear a person's thought and mind .
But now , she was reconsidering her decision _ but she couldn't stop a taxi now that she had gotten this far .
She was just doing a give - away for the taxi man when her house was just few steps away .
"They aren't necessary".
Wow Raye thought turning to look at Kyle who had a serious face staring ahead .
She was suppose to give him a judgemental look.....
why was she now drooling over his straight , strong jawline ??
Bless my soul Raye prayed turning to stare ahead , eyes closed for a few minutes.
She narrowed her eyes, but the corner of her lips betrayed a twitch of amusement.
"That is just not right , beside you following me seems a little ....too suspicious" .
He chuckled low, a sound that made her shoulders tense without her permission. "Suspicious? Maybe. But you walked away from the cafe, and I had a question I need an answer for."
Her heart stuttered. "A question?"
"Yeah," he said, slowing his pace so he was beside her now, the street stretching empty and quiet ahead. "Earlier… when I asked you about being mine… you didn't give me a straight answer."
Raye felt heat rise to her cheeks. She fiddled with the strap of her backpack, unable to meet his gaze. "I… I said I'd think about it."
Kyle nodded slowly, expression unreadable for a beat, then stepped closer. His voice softened, almost a whisper. "Thinking about it ,is fine. But…"
"But?" Her voice barely carried in the quiet street.
"But I already see you as mine, Raye," he said, the words deliberate, steady. "I don't expect an answer tonight, or tomorrow. But… until then… I'd prefer you not talk to anyone else."
Raye froze. Her steps halted mid-stride, her breath catching in her throat. His eyes were steady on hers, intense but not harsh. A shiver ran down her spine, and for a moment she felt smaller somehow, exposed, yet strangely safe.
"mhm ," he hummed , smirk tugging at his lips. "But let's be clear—I don't ask twice. I don't wait around for anyone else. And frankly… I already see you as mine."
He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.
Raye stiffen , not able to move anymore .
She frozen mid-step, backpack strap digging into her shoulder. His eyes were dark, intense, and unapologetic—exactly the way Kyle could make her feel both terrified and thrilled at the same time.
"Wait—mine?" she stammered. "You… you can't just—"
"I can," he said sharply, stepping a bit closer so her pace slowed. "I don't need permission. I'm not soft. But I also don't lie."
Her cheeks burned. She wanted to argue. She wanted to run. But her legs refused to move.
Why was her heart tugging lightly at every words he said .
At the way he stared at her ...everything about him .
Kyle leaned slightly, voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "So… think about it. But don't flirt with anyone else. Not a chance. Not a word."
He tilted his head staring at Raye who was holding her breath , raising a brow, waiting for her response .
"Hmm " he hummed staring at her .
Raye swallowed hard. " hnn _ Uh… okay…"
Her eyes immediately widen at what she just said .
Gosh Raye thought breaking from his eye contact while she rubbed her forehead lightly .
This guy would be the end of her she thought huffing silently.
"Good girl." His smirk widened, that confident, dangerous grin that made her heart race.
A blush crept up her cheeks as she tried to look else where and maybe control her beating heart too ..
Then, before she could react, he wrapped her in a quick, firm hug at her porch—no softness, no sugar-coating, just pure Kyle asserting his claim.
Raye froze completely, her mind scrambling, her pulse racing.
He pulled back just enough to look down at her, smirk still in place, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Think about it, first-year," he whispered, voice low, teasing. "You'll see I'm not easy to forget."
And with that, he turned on his heel, hoodie flapping slightly, and walked away into the quiet street .
Raye stood there frozen at the front of her porch blinking twice , unable to move .
She stayed on her porch for a few minutes, shoulders trembling, heart pounding.
Part of her wanted to yell after him, part of her wanted to chase him—but mostly… she just watched him to go,
thinking,
Oh no.
Oh no, this is bad.
And I think I like it.