The alarm didn't ring, or maybe Lia just didn't hear it. When her eyes finally fluttered open, the sun was already high and bright through her window.
8:30 AM.
Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. "Oh no, I'm dead," she muttered, leaping out of bed. Her class started at 9:30, and her university was an hour away. She scrambled through her morning routine, skipping breakfast, tossing her books into a bag, kissing her mom on the cheek mid-run, and dashing out the door with tangled hair and untied shoes.
She reached the bus stop just in time to watch her bus pull away.
"Seriously?" Lia whispered to herself, out of breath. She sighed, hands on her knees, scanning for the next one.
Just then, the low rumble of a bike grew louder. A matte black motorbike pulled up in front of her, and the rider removed his helmet.
"You're so late," Lucas said, his voice amused as he handed her a helmet.
Her eyes widened. "How do you always know where I am?"
He just shrugged like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Thanks," she mumbled, avoiding eye contact. "But I'll get the next bus."
"That's in thirty-five minutes."
"Then I'll take a cab."
Lucas leaned slightly forward, smirking. "You really hate me that much?"
"No! I just—" she paused, awkwardly brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "—I don't want to give you any more trouble."
"Shut up and hop on. I'm going to your university anyway. Paperwork."
Lia glanced at the time on her phone, her panic returning. She hesitated only a second longer before putting on the helmet and climbing onto the bike.
"Hold me," Lucas said over his shoulder.
"I'm fine," Lia said quickly.
"Please," his voice dropped lower, more serious this time. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Her fingers hovered in the air for a moment before she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist. The bike roared to life and sped off like wind.
They arrived at the university gate at 9:25 on the dot.
"Thanks!" Lia called as she jumped off and ran toward the campus building—forgetting the helmet entirely.
Lucas laughed quietly, watching her vanish into the crowd. "She forgot the helmet," he muttered with a shake of his head. He turned his bike and searched for a café nearby to pass the time.
—
Lia barely made it to the lecture room. Sliding into a seat, she tried to catch her breath as her friend Mary raised an eyebrow.
"What's with the helmet?" Mary asked.
Lia blinked and touched her head. "Oh no," she groaned. "I forgot to return it."
She was about to bolt, but the teacher entered. Resigned, she took it off and placed it under her desk.
After class, Lia dashed outside but couldn't find Lucas anywhere. She checked her phone—dead. Groaning, she turned it on and waited impatiently. A text popped up the moment it restarted:
Lucas: Finish your class. I'll pick you up at 2:00.
She stared at it, puzzled. Pick me up? Again?
As she and Mary walked toward the next class, the helmet dangling from her hand, Mary nudged her.
"So, who's the biker?" she asked teasingly.
"N-No one!" Lia stammered. "Just… someone I know."
Mary smirked. "Right. That's why you're blushing."
—
At 1:39, Lia stepped out with Mary. Her eyes scanned the gate nervously. No sign of him.
Suddenly, someone flicked her forehead from behind.
"Ow!" she yelped, turning. Lucas grinned at her.
"Am I really that handsome?" he asked, stepping closer.
Mary looked between them, surprised. "Should I leave you two alone or...?"
Lia's cheeks turned scarlet. "Mary, this is—uh—Lucas, my… senior."
"Nice to meet you," Lucas said with a slight bow.
"She was supposed to have lunch with me," Mary said pointedly.
Lia nodded quickly. "Yeah, maybe I should still go with—"
"Miss Mary," Lucas interrupted, turning on the charm, "could I borrow her just for today? I'm going back to the training center soon."
Mary looked at him, then at Lia. "With those puppy eyes? How can I say no?" she teased, winking.
Lucas smiled. Lia, flustered, turned to Mary in disbelief. "Seriously?"
Mary just shrugged. "Good luck, Lia."
Before Lia could respond, Lucas grabbed her hand.
"W-What are you doing?" she stammered, trying to pull it back.
"If you agree to lunch, I'll let go," he said casually.
"Fine!" she huffed. "Just—let go already!"
He released her and then casually took her bag from her shoulder.
"Hey, I can carry that."
"I know," he replied simply.
They walked toward his bike. Lia kept quiet for a while before speaking.
"Umm… senior—"
"Lucas," he corrected.
"That's inappropriate."
"Did I say it was?"
"No, but—"
"Then it's not."
He handed her the helmet and climbed onto the bike.
Lia stood still, fidgeting. "Listen… it's not really okay to keep having lunch with you. People might get the wrong idea. And I don't want to keep making you spend money and—"
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Lucas asked, interrupting.
"No!"
"Fiancé? Husband?"
"What? No!"
"Then what misunderstanding are you afraid of? You're not cheating on anyone."
"I meant—what if people think you're my boyfriend!"
Lucas smirked. "That's not a misunderstanding."
Lia blinked. "Wait, what?!"
"Just kidding." He chuckled. "Didn't you want to repay me?"
"Well, yeah, but—"
"My ex is gonna be at the place we're going. She still thinks I haven't moved on. I need you to play along. Just for today."
Lia's eyes widened. "You should've told me!"
"When did you let me talk?"
"…Sorry."
She climbed on behind him again.
"I don't even know enough about you," she muttered. "What if she asks me stuff?"
"Like what?"
"Your favorite color, food, hobbies…"
"You already know all that. You interviewed me back in eighth grade."
"That was forever ago!"
"They haven't changed."
Lia paused. "One more thing…"
Lucas looked over his shoulder. "What now?"
"Did you… actually move on?"
Lucas went silent. Slowly, he stopped the bike and turned halfway to look at her.
His eyes, usually playful, held a seriousness that caught her off guard.
"I think I did," he said quietly.
Lia's breath hitched.
Lucas gave her a soft smile. "Let's find out together."