By the time Aira and Reyhan finally finished their project outline, the sun had dipped low outside the library windows. A warm orange glow filled the room, making everything look softer… including him.
Which was dangerous.
Aira packed her things quickly. "Okay, great. We're done. Perfect. Goodbye."
Reyhan raised an eyebrow. "You always run away after spending time with me?"
"I don't run. I walk fast."
"Rookie, you practically sprint."
She zipped her bag with unnecessary aggression. "I have to get home before it gets dark."
"I'll walk you."
Aira froze.
Absolutely not.
Nope. No way. No universe. No dimension.
She turned slowly. "…Why?"
Reyhan shrugged casually. "Because I'm going that way."
"You don't even know where I live."
"I will once you let me walk you."
Aira huffed. "Reyhan, walking with you outside school is a whole different level of social danger. People will talk. The internet will crash. Planets will explode."
He smirked. "Relax. I'm not proposing marriage. Yet."
Aira nearly dropped her bag. "WHAT—"
"I said jet. As in, we're late. You misheard."
"I did NOT mis—never mind! I'm going alone."
She stormed out of the library.
He followed.
Of course he did.
She walked faster.
He matched her pace.
She turned left.
He turned left.
She marched ahead like she was in the Olympics.
He casually strolled beside her like he was taking a scenic walk.
Aira groaned. "Do you EVER take a hint?"
"No."
"At least you're honest."
"I'm honest about you," he corrected.
Her stomach flipped violently. "There is NOTHING to be honest about!"
Reyhan slid his hands into his pockets, eyes glinting. "Keep saying that. Maybe eventually you'll believe it."
Aira nearly tripped.
He caught her elbow instantly.
His hand was warm.
Too warm.
Too steady.
Too gentle for someone who pretended to have zero feelings.
She yanked her arm back, flustered. "Don't do that!"
"What? Stop you from falling on your face?"
"Yes!"
"Why?"
"Because—" She struggled, heart racing. "Because it's confusing!"
Reyhan blinked. Slowly.
Like he didn't expect that answer.
"Confusing how?" he asked quietly.
Aira looked away. "You act like you hate everyone. But you're… not actually horrible."
"That disappoints you?" he asked with a half-smile.
"It confuses me," she repeated.
They walked in silence for a few seconds. Aira focused on the pavement, pretending her heart wasn't beating too loud.
Then Reyhan said something she didn't expect.
"I don't hate everyone."
"Oh really? Who do you like?"
"You."
Aira stopped breathing.
Reyhan didn't look flustered. He didn't blush. He didn't smirk.
He just said it like it was a normal fact.
Then he added, "Not like-like. Don't panic. You're just… interesting."
Aira exhaled so hard she nearly fainted. "Reyhan! You can't just—say things like that casually!"
He shrugged. "Why not?"
"Because—"
She struggled for words.
"Because it messes with people's heads!"
"Does it mess with yours?"
Aira froze.
Completely.
Reyhan smiled—not the cocky smile.
The soft, real one.
"You're bad at lying," he said.
Aira turned away, cheeks burning. "Shut up."
"I won't."
"You should."
"I really won't."
She wanted to hit him with her bag. Or herself.
They reached the first streetlight near the school gate. Aira finally gathered enough courage to stop.
"Okay. This is good. You can go now."
Reyhan looked around. "This is like… thirty steps from the school."
"Perfect. Bye!"
"No."
"REYHAN."
He shrugged. "I'm not leaving until I know you're safe."
Aira stared at him, confused again.
"I'm safe," she said.
He raised an eyebrow. "You tripped on air thirty minutes ago."
"That was ONE TIME!"
"It was today."
Aira threw her hands up. "Fine. But stop walking beside me like we're a couple."
"Who said that's a bad thing?"
Aira stumbled.
Again.
"Goodnight, Rookie," he said, turning back toward school.
She watched him walk away, heart pounding like it was trying to escape her chest.
RULE #9: Never let Reyhan Malhotra walk you home.
Because he won't just walk with you…
he'll walk into your head.
And stay there.