After class, Aira tried to gather her books with a normal heartbeat.
Failed.
Absolutely failed.
Reyhan stood up from the chair beside her, stretching lazily, his hoodie riding up just enough to make her look away instantly.
"Relax," he teased softly. "You look like I just confessed again."
Aira nearly choked. "A-Again?! You didn't— you— that—"
He smirked. "You're cute when your brain crashes."
"My brain is NOT—"
"Crashed," he finished for her.
Sia walked by, pointing at them dramatically.
"THIS. THIS ENERGY IS ILLEGAL. I'M CALLING THE POLICE."
Aira groaned. "Sia, please stop before I evaporate."
But even as she wished for the ground to swallow her whole, she felt Reyhan's gaze brushing against her like he was mapping every expression on her face.
The bell rang. Students rushed out.
Aira clutched her bag. "I'm going to the library for a bit."
"I'll come," Reyhan said immediately.
"No," she said quickly. "You don't have to."
"I know."
His voice softened.
"That's why I'm offering."
Her heart did a violent flip.
But they walked anyway.
Side by side.
Quiet.
Calm.
Dangerously comfortable.
Halfway down the hallway, Zayden stepped in front of them.
"Oh! Aira, I was looking for you," he said, giving a warm smile. "Do you need help with the notes? I saw you looked overwhelmed earlier."
Aira opened her mouth to answer—
But Reyhan's expression shifted instantly.
Jaw tight.
Eyes sharp.
Posture stiff.
Aira panicked.
"Um—I'm fine," she said quickly. "Really."
Zayden nodded. "Alright. But if you need me—"
"She won't," Reyhan cut in.
Aira elbowed him. "Reyhan!"
"What?" he muttered.
"You don't get to speak for me."
He blinked… then looked away.
"Right. Sorry."
Aira froze.
Reyhan Malhotra said sorry?
Even Zayden looked shocked.
Aira smiled lightly at Zayden. "Thank you for offering. I'll ask you if I need anything."
Zayden nodded and headed off.
The moment he disappeared, Aira turned to Reyhan.
"What was that? Why did you get all… territorial?"
Reyhan looked irritated—but not at her.
"I wasn't territorial."
"Reyhan."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Fine. Maybe a little."
"A little?"
He sighed — long and dramatic, like admitting the truth physically hurt him.
"Aira… I don't like seeing other guys hovering around you, okay?"
Her heart did a somersault.
She tried to hide it. "Well, you can't control who talks to me."
"I know," he said quietly.
"I'm trying not to react. But sometimes… it just happens."
The honesty hit harder than any teasing ever could've.
Aira's voice softened. "Reyhan… you don't have to change yourself for me."
He looked at her sharply. "I'm not changing. I'm choosing."
That sentence destroyed her entire emotional stability.
Her cheeks felt hot.
Her chest felt full.
Her rulebook felt like it needed to be thrown in a fire.
They entered the library, the air quiet and cold.
Aira headed toward the back section to return a textbook. Reyhan followed, hands in pockets, letting her lead.
When she stopped suddenly to turn around, he almost collided with her, catching himself quickly.
"Careful," he murmured, steadying her shoulder lightly.
Aira's breath hitched at the touch.
He felt it.
He always felt it.
Reyhan stepped back instantly, giving her space without her asking.
"I'm not going to push you," he said softly. "But don't push me away either."
Aira looked up at him.
Really looked.
Not at the chaos.
Not at the smirk.
Not at the troublemaking exterior.
But the softness beneath it.
The vulnerability he only showed her.
The boy who paid attention to everything she did.
The boy who tried to respect her boundaries even when he didn't understand them.
"Reyhan…" she whispered, voice shaking, "why does it feel like you're always—"
She stopped.
Couldn't say it.
He stepped closer — slow, careful, warm.
"Always what?" he murmured.
Her chest tightened. "Too close."
Reyhan's lips lifted faintly.
"I'm close," he whispered, "because you don't walk away."
She froze.
Because he was right.
She didn't.
"Even when you run," he added quietly, "you stop when I call your name."
Aira swallowed, throat tight. "That's not true."
He stared into her eyes — so intense she had to grip the shelf for balance.
"Aira," he murmured, voice deep and honest,
"You always come back to me."
Aira's heart broke open.
Wide.
Terrifyingly wide.
She stepped back, breath shaking. "I—I need air."
Reyhan nodded immediately, didn't touch her, didn't crowd her.
But he said softly:
"I'll walk you. Just… beside you."
Aira didn't have the strength to argue.
They stepped out into the hallway, walking side by side, not speaking.
Matching pace.
Matching breaths.
Matching heartbeats she wished he couldn't hear.
RULE #21: Don't let Reyhan Malhotra walk beside you.
Because he matches your pace too easily…
and eventually, you'll forget you were ever walking alone.