Monday's hallway buzz was loud, lockers slamming and laughter bouncing off the walls. Noelle had just tugged her math textbook free when Daniel appeared, leaning lazily against the locker beside hers.
"There you are," he said, flashing that easy grin of his. "So… what happened to you on Saturday? I was saving a seat. Thought you were coming."
Noelle froze, clutching her book a little tighter. "Oh…um…" Her mind scrambled, cheeks heating. She hadn't even realised he'd been waiting.
Daniel's brows lifted, amusement flickering in his eyes as he leaned closer. "Don't tell me you forgot? Or was it that you just didn't feel like showing up?"
"No, no, it's not that," Noelle rushed out, shaking her head. "I just… something came up... It was last minute." The excuse tumbled awkwardly off her tongue, her voice thinner than she wanted.
Daniel studied her a beat longer, the grin curling back at the corners of his mouth. "last minute, huh? Guess I'll let it slide this once. But you still owe me a movie."
Before Noelle could reply, a voice cut through the noise. Low. Firm. Impossible to ignore.
"She doesn't owe you anything."
Both of them turned. Ren was standing just a few steps away, his bag slung carelessly over one shoulder, expression unreadable but his eyes were fixed squarely on Daniel.
Noelle's stomach flipped. She hadn't even noticed him there.
The tension snapped like a wire. Ren didn't hesitate as he stepped right up to Noelle's side, the brush of his arm against hers unmistakably deliberate. His hand slid down, fingers threading through hers, interlocking tightly like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"She doesn't owe you anything," he repeated, this time loud enough that heads turned.
The hallway hushed. A ripple of whispers ran down the line of lockers.
Daniel blinked, taken aback but managed a laugh. "Chill, I wasn't making a big deal. Just an invite."
Ren's jaw flexed. He looked every inch the captain he was on the field, shoulders squared, gaze cutting. "Then hear me clearly. She's not available." His thumb brushed possessively over Noelle's knuckles, a gesture that left no room for doubt.
Noelle's cheeks burned under the weight of dozens of curious eyes but when she dared a glance at Ren, his grip didn't falter. It was a declaration: not just to Daniel but to everyone watching.
The whispers trailed after them as Ren tugged her gently but firmly down the hall, his hand still looped through hers like it had always belonged there. Her pulse was wild, every nerve in her body alight from the weight of his touch and the boldness of what he'd just done.
When they rounded the corner into a quieter stretch of lockers, Noelle finally found her voice. "Ren…" she whispered, still breathless. "Why did you—"
He glanced down at her, brows lifting in mild confusion, like he hadn't just made a scene in front of half the school. "What? You looked uncomfortable. I wasn't gonna stand there and let him act like you were free game."
Her cheeks burned hotter. "But… everyone was watching."
Ren shrugged, casual, unconcerned. His thumb brushed lazily across her hand, still holding hers as though it was second nature now. "So what? Let them watch. I don't care."
Noelle's heart tightened. To him it seemed simple, obvious even. But to her, it was a tidal wave. The whole school had seen it: Ren, the star on the soccer field, the boy everyone whispered about, had just claimed their relationship openly without hesitation.
And he was walking beside her now, fingers intertwined, completely unaware of the way her chest ached with a mix of disbelief and warmth.
"Ren," she said softly, trying not to let her voice tremble, "do you even realise what you just did?"
He glanced at her again, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah," he said easily, leaning down just enough so only she could hear. "I made sure he knows you're mine."
The hallway seemed to blur around her. She wanted to scold him for being so blunt but instead her chest fluttered helplessly, her grip tightening on his hand despite herself.
Noelle ducked her head, trying to hide her burning cheeks. "You can't just say things like that in the middle of the hallway," she muttered.
Ren's grin widened, clearly enjoying the way she was flustered. "Why not? You look cute when you're embarrassed." He gave her hand a playful squeeze, leaning in closer as though to whisper a secret. "Besides, I like watching you turn pink every time I say you're mine."
She let out a soft groan, torn between exasperation and the giddy warmth his words stirred in her. "You're impossible."
"Mm," he said with mock thoughtfulness, "and you're stuck with me. Tragic, isn't it?"
Before she could retaliate, a voice cut through the air.
"There you two are!" Mei Ling practically skidded into their space, eyes flicking between their still-joined hands and Noelle's flushed face. "Oh my god, so it's official-official now, huh?"
Noelle groaned again. "Mei Ling—"
But her friend wasn't joking this time. Her expression shifted, a sharper edge replacing her usual teasing. She lowered her voice, leaning in so only the two of them could hear. "Noelle, you need to know something. That guy, Daniel? He's not serious. I overheard him with his buddies earlier. He made a bet about asking you out…about whether you'd say yes."
Noelle froze, her stomach dropping. "What…?"
Ren's grip on her hand tightened, the lightness in his expression gone in an instant. His jaw set, eyes darkening as he looked back in the direction Daniel had gone. The shift in him was palpable, protective, dangerous even.
Mei Ling sighed, worry flickering in her eyes as she reached for Noelle's arm. "I didn't want to say anything unless I was sure. But yeah. He's just playing around, trying to get a reaction out of you. Not that you will consider him... but still..."
Noelle's chest clenched painfully, embarrassment and anger twisting inside her. She'd almost… almost believed Daniel's easy smile.
Ren's voice was low, measured, but his hand around hers was steady, grounding. "You're not anyone's bet," he said firmly. "Not now, not ever."
Ren's hand tightened around Noelle's, his jaw ticking once before he released her. Without another word, he strode down the hallway.
"Ren—!" Noelle's voice called after him, but it was too late. Mei Ling grabbed her arm, both of them watching as Ren cut straight across the corridor like a storm with one target.
Daniel was leaning against a row of lockers, laughing with two of his classmates. He didn't even notice until Ren was standing in front of him, his 1.8-meter frame casting a shadow that swallowed Daniel whole.
The chatter died instantly.
Ren's voice was low, deceptively calm. "You made a bet?"
Daniel blinked, taken aback for only a second before his smirk returned. "Man, chill. It was just a joke."
Ren stepped closer, the space between them shrinking until Daniel had to tilt his chin up to meet his eyes. "Noelle isn't a joke." The words came out like steel, each syllable clipped, final.
Daniel laughed nervously, glancing at his friends for backup. "Hey, hey, don't get so worked up. I was just—"
"You think playing with her feelings makes you look cool?" Ren's voice sharpened, the restrained anger in it silencing the entire hallway. "Say her name one more time like that and you'll regret it."
For a moment, nobody breathed. Even Daniel's smirk faltered under the sheer weight of Ren's glare. His friends suddenly found the floor very interesting.
Ren straightened, his tone cutting through the tension like a blade. "Stay away from her."
Then, without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and walked back. The hallway parted for him, whispers following in his wake.
Noelle's chest was pounding as he reached her again, his hand finding hers as naturally as if it belonged there. His grip was firm, protective, almost defiant as they walked off.