The Only Rule

Chapter 9a: It's Just One Lunch

"Right. Ok give me your phone," he demanded as he skidded next to you.

"For what?" you objected, giving him the side eye.

"I know you've been avoiding the whole 'responsibility' thing—" he began, and that's when you realized what he meant. A groan escaped your lips, head rolled to the back. "But I won't let you get away since I actually did save you last time—"

And an iPhone was thrusted into his face, cutting him off mid-sentence. Dominic scoffed, immediately snatched it with a grin. In a quick motion, he typed in while handing his phone over to you nonchalantly. Disbelief flashed across your face, but eventually, you sighed and typed in. When you finally swapped phones, he immediately hit the dial on his phone, gaze not moving away from you as a lopsided grin tinted his gorgeous face.

"What? You don't trust me?" you challenged in a low tone, gazing at him with exhaustion. Soon, a ring vibrated on your phone—but as you spotted the caller id, you couldn't help but laugh.

"Bumped into him? Really now? Might as well add 'on Halloween, in the hall,' smartypants."

"And you assume 'Sat Next to You in Algebra' would've been better?" he laughed as he stared at the one you'd entered.

"Well I'm not wrong~" you bounced your eyebrows before giving a cocky smile, and started to walk again, leaving him with a scoff and a lopsided grin. Dominic soon noticed your large backpack, which seemed absurdly heavy.

"That ugly bag looks light," he joked.

"Don't ask," you began while he grabbed the handle at the top to test its weight—and his eyes widened— "there're two laptops in here,"

"The fuck are you carrying?!" he shouted, not letting go of his hold.

Sighing in resign, you explained, "ROG and its 3 kg charger—you know, architecture stuff—"

Gripping on the backpack, he tugged you to a stop. You turned in confusion—to find him nodding toward your shoulder. Still blinking in confusion, tilting your head, you knitted your brows till he finally commanded,

"Give it to me."

Finally comprehending his intentions, your eyes widened in rapid urgency, declining, "No no—just—chill—"

"Just—let me carry it, Rena," he insisted, starting to get impatient.

"The bag's pink. You're not gonna be embarrassed—?"

Before you could even finish, he yanked the strap off your shoulder.. one by one.. until he took your bag and slung them over his right shoulder—while his bag hung on his left. Then, casually, he walked ahead, leaving you there—submitting to his masculinity. Feeling—relishing how your burden was lifted, you can't help but feel blush start to creep on your cheeks.

"Hey—wait!" you shouted after fixing yourself, rushing to catch up. "At least let me carry your bag!"

People start to stare, watching the Cardinal Hitter strut confidently with a bright pink bag beside the dwarf strutting beside him. Nevertheless, he didn't seem to care about any of that. He just glanced at you nonchalantly with a side eye, and sneered, "You're being loud."

"Come on—you don't have to! Everyone's staring at you—"

"That's normal."

He replied flatly, eliciting an ick to emerge on your expression. "You're annoying."

"Pink matches my blue eyes and blonde hair anyway."