Chapter 11
Rooftop
Kai climbed the stairs, hoping to find Asha.
Instead, he found someone else.
A girl sat at the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling slightly, completely unbothered by the height.
Her blonde hair was tied in a messy bun, and she wore a crop top without her school jacket despite the cold breeze.
She looked… free.
"Hey," Kai said. "Do you know if Asha is here?"
The girl slowly turned her head, her eyes scanning him from top to bottom.
"No."
Her tone was calm. Uninterested.
Kai blinked.
"Oh… I was supposed to meet her here."
The girl tilted her head slightly, then smiled faintly.
"Well, you didn't."
She tapped the space beside her.
"But you can sit."
Kai hesitated for a second, then sat down.
"Nice view," he said.
"Yeah," she replied. "That's why I come here. To escape."
Kai let out a quiet chuckle.
"I get that."
She glanced at him again.
"You're the new guy."
Kai looked surprised.
"You know me?"
"Everyone does."
She stretched slightly.
"Vanessa Collins. Grade 12B."
Kai nodded.
"Levi Kai."
"I know."
They fell into a quiet conversation.
It wasn't forced.
It just… flowed.
For the first time since arriving at the school, Kai felt normal.
Cafeteria
"Wow, you're actually on time today," Aeri teased.
"Miracles do happen."
"I got a ride," Asha replied.
Aarina leaned forward immediately.
"From who? Your dad?"
"No. Someone else."
Aeri smirked.
"Oh? Someone else?"
Aarina's eyes widened.
"Wait… a HIM?"
Asha rolled her eyes.
"I don't even know him. He just helped me."
But deep down, she couldn't stop thinking about him.
There was something about him.
Something… different.
Suddenly
The cafeteria grew louder.
Girls whispering.
Some giggling.
Some just staring.
Asha looked up.
Her heart skipped.
"It's him…"
"Who?" Aarina asked.
"The guy from this morning."
She pointed slightly.
"Don't look"
Too late.
He was already walking toward them.
And the way he walked
Calm.
Slow.
Like he knew everyone was watching… and didn't care.
He stopped at their table.
"Hello again."
Asha looked up quickly.
"Hi…"
Her voice came out softer than she expected.
Up close, he looked even more dangerous.
Sharp eyes.
Relaxed posture.
Confidence that didn't need to be loud.
"I didn't get to introduce myself earlier," he said.
"I'm Kavin."
Asha opened her mouth
"Asha! She's Asha!"
Aarina cut in excitedly.
Kavin's lips curved slightly.
"Asha," he repeated, like he was testing how her name sounded.
"Nice."
He shifted his gaze to Aarina.
"And you are?"
"Aarina!" she said quickly. "I follow you everywhere Instagram, Twitter everything. I'm your biggest fan! I want to be a swimmer like you someday and win awards like you!"
Kavin chuckled softly.
"Is that so?"
Before she could react, he took her hand and pressed a light kiss on it.
Aarina froze.
Completely.
"Well," he said smoothly, "work hard."
He released her hand slowly.
Then his gaze returned to Asha.
Different this time.
More focused.
More intense.
For a second, everything else faded.
The noise.
The people.
Just them.
Kavin gave her a small, knowing smile.
Then
A wink.
And just like that, he turned and walked away.
No rush.
No hesitation.
Like he already knew…
he had left an impression.
Asha sat there, frozen.
Her heart beating faster than she wanted to admit.