She was wearing a white Henley top and jeans, her hair tied up in a messy bun. Walking beside her was Natalia, dressed in a yellow top and black skirt, her hair left open and flowing. As they strolled down the hallway, Aiden suddenly appeared in front of them, wearing blue jeans and a black shirt, his signature charming smile already in place.
"Hey, pretty ladies," he said, grinning. "Would you mind if I take a minute of your time?"
"Yes," Natalia replied sharply, rolling her eyes. She grabbed Danna's hand, silently signaling her to keep walking.
But Aiden wasn't done. He raised his voice just a little, more serious now. "Danna—listen, it's about our presentations!
Danna stopped and turned to him."What is it?"
Aiden cleared his throat."As you know, you and Garson, and Natalia and I, are paired for the presentations. We only have a week to prepare. I just want both of you to forget everything—for the sake of academics—and cooperate, please."
Natalia crossed her arms and shot him a sharp glare."What about your spoiled best friend? Have you talked to him?"
"Excuse me?" Aiden snapped, his tone changing in an instant. "You can't talk like that about my best friend in front of me, Miss Natalia. Just because I'm being polite doesn't mean I'll tolerate any crap against him."
He stared right into her eyes, unflinching. Natalia opened her mouth to speak again, but Danna cut her off.
"We will," she said quickly. "Where do we have to meet for preparation?"
"In the library," Aiden replied, his voice softening a little. "Only two lectures are important today, the others we can skip."
"Okay," Danna nodded. "We'll meet after the lectures."
With a small smile, Aiden turned and walked away.
The moment he was out of sight, Natalia snapped, "What's wrong with you?"
"Calm down," Danna said, grabbing her hand. "It's just for academics. Now come on, let's go to class. "They headed toward the classroom, tension still lingering in the air.
"Hey," Aiden waved at them from a library table.
Danna walked in alongside Natalia, her eyes scanning the room—then landing on him. He was wearing a black jacket over a red shirt, paired with blue jeans. Their eyes met again—those hazel eyes of his, the ones that always seemed to pull her in like gravity.
"What is she doing here, Aiden?" Garson asked, his face expressionless.
Aiden leaned back slightly, keeping his tone neutral."Actually, you two need to prepare your presentation. That's why I called her."
Then he turned to Natalia."Come with me, I need to grab a book from over there."
The two walked away, leaving Danna alone with Garson. She could feel it immediately—the weight of his sharp gaze settling on her like a spotlight.
She didn't look up. But she felt it
"Could you stop staring at me? And where are your books? Or any stationery, for that matter?" Danna asked, clearly annoyed.
Garson smirked. "You're right, we can use your books. And as for the staring... it's my eyes. I can look wherever I want." He paused, tilting his head slightly. "But honestly, I was just surprised at how easily Miss Coffee agreed to all this."
He looked at her, eyes sharp but teasing. Danna rolled her eyes
Garson leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, that smug grin permanently glued to his face."You know, for someone who acts so annoyed by me, you sure keep showing up."
Danna narrowed her eyes."And for someone with a face like yours, you sure talk a lot. Should've come with a mute button."
He chuckled."Well, at least I have a face worth looking at. Yours just screams, 'I skipped sleep for personality.'"
She gasped—mock offended."Bold words coming from someone whose vibe is 'mysterious loner with commitment issues and a library crush.'"
"Oh please," he scoffed. "You've known me for what—three days? And already you've written a whole Wattpad analysis on me?"
Danna leaned in slightly, her smirk growing."I only needed three minutes to know you peaked in sarcasm and plateaued in self-awareness."
Garson raised a brow, clearly impressed but pretending not to be."You're exhausting in such a... persistent way. It's honestly kind of admirable."
"And you're impressive in the way a car crash is—you don't want to look, but somehow you can't look away," she replied, resting her chin on her hand.
He tilted his head, locking eyes with her."You really love having the last word, don't you?"
Danna grinned."Only when I'm talking to someone who thinks they're the plot twist in everyone's story."
Garson let out a low laugh, shaking his head."You're either the most annoying person I've ever met… or the only one who can keep up."
She gave a mock salute."Glad to be your worst nightmare with vocabulary."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It was charged. They both stared at each other—neither backing down, neither moving away. Until Garson finally said, "So… are we going to start the presentation, or are we just gonna roast each other into the next century?"
Danna smirked, grabbing a notebook."Why not both?"
Garson smiled in annoyance
"So, here are the topics—I've divided them in half. You'll do these, and I'll handle the rest," Danna said, organizing the table neatly.
Garson leaned over slightly, glancing at the papers."And how am I supposed to get my half? Send them through vibes?" he smirked. "Give me your Insta or number—either works."
Danna blinked, surprised by the request."I don't think that's necessary," she said, raising an eyebrow.
Garson shrugged with a teasing grin."Oh come on. It's just so I can send the complete work—not because I want to be your lovely partner or anything. Trust me, I've got better taste."
Danna rolled her eyes but smirked despite herself."Keep talking like that, and I'll send the topics via pigeon."
"It's your loss, Miss Coffee," Garson said with a smirk, leaning back in his chair like he'd just won a game she didn't know she was playing.
Danna rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed."Whatever. Here it is."She slid the paper across the table with a little too much energy, grabbed her bag, and turned away. Without another word, she walked out of the library, her footsteps echoing behind her.
Garson just watched her go, still smirking."Miss Coffee," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Interesting."
Aiden and Natalia came back to the table after discussing their presentation.
"Okay, I'll send it to you," Natalia said, then looked up, suddenly realizing something."Wait… where's Danna?"
"Garson!" she said, her tone a little sharp.
Garson barely glanced up from his phone."She left. Said she had some work to do."
Natalia frowned slightly."Seriously?"
"She looked like she was in a rush," Garson added, still not looking the least bit bothered.
"Hmm." Natalia didn't look convinced.
"Okay, bye Aiden," she said with a smile, and then shot Garson a glare."And bye to you," she added with exaggerated annoyance.
Garson finally looked up, smirking."Don't worry, Natalia. I'll miss you enough for the both of us."
She scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically before walking off.
Aiden just chuckled under his breath."Every time, man."