You descended the stairs, instinctively pulling out your phone.. only to scroll mindlessly. Because now.. you couldn't shake the nagging feeling that recently, people seemed to stare more than usual..? Girls would murmur the moment you passed.. and the boys? Well, they almost.. seemed to.. admire—but nah. Surely that couldn't be it—
"I see you're planning to survive."
Professor Anderson's voice cut through your reverie. You hadn't even realized you were already standing beside his desk as he tended to his belongings, his eyes never lifting to meet yours.
Exhaling a big sigh, you replied, "I'm sorry if it's not allowed either sir—"
"Oh it is allowed," he interrupted. "I just didn't expect such.." he finally looked up, his gaze sweeping over you from head to toe, before declaring, "..drastic change."
A smug smirk tugged at the corner of your lips as you replied, "I guess I just love to perform, sir."
Professor Anderson's expression instantly soured, his displeasure evident in his furrowed brows. But you didn't give him the chance to say a word. "With all due respect, Professor, I'll do my best to excel in your class too." You nodded, ignoring his growing irritation, and added,
"If you'll excuse me, sir, I have a club to attend to."
Leaving him stewing in his own frustration, you walked out of the classroom. Just as you focused back on your phone, a sudden bump from the side caught you off guard. Startled, you looked up.. only to be greeted by a familiar, smug grin.
After making sure he succeeded in getting your attention, he casually checked on his rear—and backed away, eyes still locked on yours. Now leaning against the nearest sandstone pillar, he cockily crossed his arms in front of his chest, giving you a side smirk.
"We meet again, love."
Mimicking his gesture, you crossed your arms, fighting so hard to keep a sin from creeping up on your face. So you just roll your eyes, the usual, keeping a serious look and narrowing your eyes. "What? You bump into me intentionally now?"
He laughed, "Give me some credit, love. I just saved you from tripping."
"Oh, I'm capable of taking care of myself, love."
Retracting his head exaggeratedly in a whistle, amusement twinkled in his eyes at the unexpected retort—a pleasant one, though. "Ooh, that sounded lovely coming out from that beautiful mouth of yours," he teased, winking.
You scoffed, dropping your arms. "Gross," you mocked, turning to walk away—but Dominic easily fell into step beside you while a chuckle escaped his lips.
"What's this? No 'thank you'?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.
"You're the one who threw yourself in front of me—"
"How do you know? You were too busy staring at your screen."
"I was so sure no one was in front of me—" but you paused, rolling your eyes for seemingly the hundredth time. Giving up, you halted just to throw a tantrum, throwing your hands up before slamming them on your thighs. "Fine, Hunt. You win."
"Yeah, I know," he grinned, and you both continued walking again. Silently, Dominic slowed down his strides to walk behind you, glancing at you from head to toe, noticing your slight boyish—but much decent look. Though, he didn't comment on it, just a small smirk playing on his lips.
"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."
At the statement, you bursted, shaking your head. "Not gonna lie, you look like you walked straight outta Legally Blonde."
For once, Dominic stopped in his tracks, spinning around with an offended expression.
"Do you really have to?"
"What?" you shrugged innocently, but the smug look on your face made him scoff. Taking advantage of the moment, you briskly reached for his bag and pulled it off him—to flung it over your shoulder.
Dominic tilted his head in resignation, watching you strutted away with a smirk on his face. "You know what? We need another public appearance, Paradis!" he shouted—but pausing for a beat like realizing something—"Oh wow, your last name is really nice—"
"Isn't this public appearance enough?!" you complained, turning to him, stopping in protest.
"Lunch with me."
Dominic nodded, bouncing his eyebrows, his golden strands framing his face perfectly as a big grin started to emerge on his gorgeous face.
You stood there, eyes widened. "N—now..?"
"Yeah, now."
"But I'm meeting Tal—"
"Come on. You meet her eve-ry day, bro," he hollered while adjusting your backpack so it's on both of his shoulders. Finding you still in a self war, he scoffed. Then he walked closer to you.. until your gaze was on him again.. and Talia be damned, his gorgeous grin melted you on your knees again.
"It's just one lunch, Rena."
You leaned back on the sofa, feeling stuffed after finishing way too much of the ramen soup. Across from you, Dominic was still devouring his like he hadn't just eaten yours.
"Ugh damn, too big," you groaned, rubbing your full stomach.
"You ordered this one," he shot back, mouth still full.
Sighing, you admitted, "I know.. I know—I'm pretty stupid,"
"There ya go," he responded in a deadpan tone. You stared at him blankly.. until you saw the smirk creeping across his face, when the insult finally hit you.
"Wait what?! Hey—!"
He chuckled, interrupting you as he flagged down the waiter. "Hi, can we get these boxed up? Split the broth, and—split them into two, please."
"Huh—how the heck could they take out a ramen and split—"
"You'll need it later at your place," he said, nodding at the waiter while holding up a tip between his two fingers. Finding your surprised look, he clarified, "Right?"
Strangely, the strangeness brushed off by your embarrassment as you feel a fuzzy feeling on your chest. "Thanks.." you murmured.
He just nodded, bouncing his eyebrows playfully as he wiped his hands on a napkin. He leaned back in his chair and started chatting casually. Despite yourself, you smiled a little, eyes widening as you couldn't help but get caught up in the light conversation..
Little did you know..
"Should we go around while singing the chorus, or just stay in the middle?"
You asked, eyes glued to the screen. Amid the crowded Emporio seating, you were busy scribbling down stage plans on your iPad, while Dominic worked on the setlist a short distance away.
However, the noise from Dan and Val's music—plus the bar's loud chatters seemed to swallow your voice. "Huh? Come again?" Hunt squinted, looking at you with a face full of confusion.
Finally, you turned to him and repeated, louder. "Should we move around or stay in the middle for the chorus?!" Still looking puzzled, he didn't answer—just nodded his head. You exhaled, preparing to shout with all your might—
But without a word, he grabbed your chair and pulled it right up next to his. So close that you couldn't help but stare at him, eyes wide in surprise.
"What?"
But now your question totally disappeared, leaving you with your wide eyes, speechless. Noticing the red hue started seeping on your cheeks, he realized what he did—and a smirk formed on his lips. "Wait, are you blushing?"
"N—No? Stop hallucinating, would ya?!" you unintentionally shouted, flustered, quickly looking away.
With that playful smirk still on his face, he casually threw an arm around you, leaning in. "Hey—people already know we're that close, so why not just play along?"
"Close? Hah! In your dreams—"
"In yours."
Quickly shutting your mouth, you feel your mouth pouting before rolling your eyes. He stared at you, grinning, completely amused. Continuing your scribble, you drifted his gaze to your screen, and a corner of your lips just can't help but lift—a little.
That one lunch..
His gaze darted to one corner of the room. Dominic nudged you, nodding toward Ana—who sat across the quad—glaring at the two of you with obvious frustration. Then, fulfilling your duty, you glare at her with all you might. Even you stood up, almost heading towards her—before Hunt quickly snatched your hand to bring you back to the table in concern. But it was too late, because Ana already ran away with fear in her face.
Noticing the successful attempt, Dominic wore a smug grin, clearly enjoying the victory. That is, until you reached over and stole another fry from his plate. His smug grin instantly morphed into a scowl.
"You know, sister? Theft is a sin."
"Great. You watch Grotesquerie. Good taste." you quipped, casually grabbing yet another fry. "Hmm, this is—orgasmic," you munch in sarcasm, making him laugh in awe.
"It's just one lunch anyway," he shrugged, shooting back a sarcastic grin.
As the comment sank in, you paused mid-bite, a faint blush creeping onto your cheeks. Noticing this, his smirk grew, and he popped another fry into his mouth, smugly bouncing his eyebrows.
Would turn into days.. and hours..
Ray spotted you two and clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing. Even with his new girlfriend beside him, his mood soured the moment he saw you laughing with Dominic. Frustration was evident on his face, and despite the girl's attempts to pull his attention back.
On the other hand, Ana scowled in the corner—but now.. she never dared to come close. Since your scarecrow glare always pierced through her babydoll presence—especially the time you literally chased her and the other girls down the hall with your menacing Evil Queen laughter.
But this time, two of you were too caught up in your own whirlwind to notice.
Now you're sitting beside the fountain, fully camping out and making a statement—didn't even care about the onlookers passing by. Both of you wore matching sunglasses, sitting upon a wide red checkered napkin, a couple of takeout boxes from a Chinese restaurant on the side. You were slurping on a Seven Eleven Slurpee nonchalantly, and when your eyes met—you both burst into laughter, completely oblivious to the tension surrounding you.
Because you both seem to can't get enough of each other.
Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote, comment, and add to your library!
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Cecylia Costania @rcpcs
You can elevate your experience by also listening to songs I added to this story's playlist! Full Playlist on bio💖
The song that matches this Chapter's vibe:
"We meet again, love."
"It's just one lunch, Rena."