It just… happened.
We were sitting on the steps outside the dorms, waiting for Calvin and Mira to finish packing. Xavier was beside me, scrolling through his phone, calm as always.
Too calm.
I remembered his words.
The way you look at me when you think I'm not paying attention.
Fine.
If he noticed everything—so could I.
I leaned a little closer. "Xavier."
He looked up. "Yeah?"
I tilted my head slightly, pretending to study him. "Do you always look this good when you're not trying?"
He blinked.
Once.
Then twice.
"…What?"
I smiled innocently. "Just curious."
For the first time since I'd known him, Xavier looked genuinely caught off guard. His ears turned slightly red, and he cleared his throat.
"You're teasing me," he said.
"Am I?" I asked softly.
He met my eyes, surprised—and amused. "When did you get brave?"
I shrugged. "Maybe I learned from someone."
He laughed quietly. "That's dangerous."
Calvin suddenly appeared behind us. "Why does it feel like the roles just switched?"
Mira nodded. "Yeah… Xavier, you okay?"
Xavier didn't look away from me. "I am now."
My heart skipped—but I kept going.
I stood up, brushing past him lightly. "Careful," I said, glancing back. "If you keep staring, people might think you like me."
This time, he fully blushed.
And that—that—felt like victory.
As I walked ahead, my heart raced, but I felt lighter. Stronger. Confident in a way I hadn't been before.
Because for once, I wasn't just reacting to his words.
I was choosing my own.
And behind me, Xavier watched with a soft smile, clearly realizing something important:
Hinata wasn't just flustered anymore.