Danna was studying late at night when she received a text from Garson:
"Tomorrow morning at the library after two lectures, Miss Coffee "
She sighed, tossing her phone on the bed.
"Why am I even paired with you..." she muttered under her breath before finally going to sleep.
The next morning, Danna walked into the library, dressed in a blue cold-shoulder top and matching jeans, her hair tied neatly in a bun. After letting Natalia know she was there, she spotted him again—black jacket, that same sharp gaze, and of course, those annoying hazel eyes that somehow always found her. He looked up as she approached, a grin already forming.
"Hey, Miss Coffee," said Garson, smirking.
"Hi," Danna replied, her face giving zero energy to his little game.
"So... are you done with the topics?" she asked, locking eyes with him, expecting him to say yes.
"No, Miss Coffee," Garson said, raising one eyebrow. "That's why I called you. To make me understand your stupid mind division."
Danna crossed her arms, smirking back."As expected. I knew your brain was dead."
"Oh, smart girl—why don't you explain it then?" Garson said, rolling his eyes. "After all, we both have to present it."
"Whatever," Danna sighed. "Now listen carefully, okay? Because my time is precious and I can't sit here all day."
Accepting her fate, she leaned over the table and began explaining. Her voice flowed steadily, sharp and focused—but oddly soothing. As she spoke, their eyes kept meeting. His gaze drifted from her hands to her lips, then settled on her hazel eyes again. And then suddenly, something shifted. It was the first time he noticed her this close—her calm tone, the way her words danced with confidence. The world around him began to blur, the background noise of the library fading out.
Her voice was suddenly so… relaxing.
His heart started racing. He blinked, trying to focus, but the words she was saying barely registered anymore.
What is happening to me? he thought.Why does this girl take up all my attention like this?
But his mind had no answer. Just her voice, her eyes, and that strange warmth blooming in his chest. Okay you got it? Said Danna bring him back to reality "ahhm…No you don't explain nicely and you really need to work on that" Said Garson turning his face away from her . "What do you mean? again your little brain is struggling "Said Danna annoyed
"Whatever. Explain it again. I'm listening," Garson said, leaning back. "And this time, try to be more understandable."
Danna sighed, clearly annoyed, but she started explaining again. Her tone was sharper now, more focused—and this time, he actually did listen.
When she finally finished, their eyes met again. His gaze lingered on her, and for a split second, she felt something strange. A shift in the air. A weird flutter in her chest. But she pushed it down. She stood up to leave, grabbing her phone—but just as she reached for it, Garson reached for his notebook at the same time. Their fingers brushed.
Both froze.
Eyes met again.
Danna blinked, snapped out of the moment first, and quickly pulled her hand back. Without a word, she turned and walked out of the library, leaving him staring after her.
"Classes are done for today—what's the plan? Wanna go shopping with me, bestie?" Natalia asked with a bright smile.
"Ok sure," Danna nodded.
"By the way, is your presentation done with Aiden?" Danna asked casually.
"No, still left," Natalia replied, "but surprisingly... he's really helpful." A small smile tugged at her lips.
Danna glanced away, trying to play it cool.
At least she got a good partner, she thought to herself.
"I'll pick you up at 6:00 PM, okay?" Natalia said, already walking backward toward her class."Bye!"
"Bye," Danna replied, forcing a smile
The mall was buzzing with chatter and the occasional hum of music playing from nearby stores. Warm yellow lights reflected off glass windows, and the scent of new clothes and cinnamon pretzels lingered in the air. Danna and Natalia were walking through one of the trendiest boutiques, their arms full of shopping bags, laughing about the ridiculous heels Natalia had just tried on. Danna turned around too quickly—her focus on her phone—and collided into someone with a solid thud. Her bags slipped from her hands, scattering across the polished floor.
"Ugh! Watch where you're going—" she started, but then she froze.
Her eyes met his.
Black jacket. Sharp gaze. Tousled hair.And that familiar silver bracelet glinting under the store lights—the one etched with "Forever."
Garson.
"I'm sorry, miss," he muttered as he knelt down to pick up her bags, not meeting her eyes, his voice unexpectedly quiet.
Danna's mouth fell open slightly. "YOU!"
Garson looked up at the voice, brows lifting in surprise. "Miss Coffee?" he said, like the universe had just played a very unfunny joke on him.
Natalia rushed to help Danna up, glancing between the two with raised brows.
Danna brushed her shirt, standing tall again. "Are you following me or something?" she snapped, her eyes locked onto his like lasers.
Garson huffed a short laugh and stood too, casually brushing off his jeans."You think I have that much free time?" he said, flashing a cocky half-smile. "Relax. You're not even that beautiful—so take that thought out of your head."
"What about you?" Danna fired back, her smirk sharp. "Looking like a miserable guy with nothing but Daddy's money."
Garson's face tightened. That hit a nerve. He stepped forward, about to snap something back—
But before the words could leave his lips, a familiar voice cut in.
"Okay, okay, hold up, guys—we're in public," Aiden said, stepping between them with a raised hand and that classic charming smile.
Natalia, standing beside him, smiled softly—then immediately looked away, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks flushed just a little as Aiden glanced at her and smiled back, clearly happy to see her.
"Hi," he said, his voice gentler when he looked at her.
"Hi," Natalia replied, barely above a whisper.
The air shifted. For a moment, the chaos faded…But not for Danna and Garson.
They were still locked in a stare so intense it could cut glass. Their eyes didn't budge, their expressions sharp and daring, like one wrong move and they'd explode.
"Okay, tension's thicker than the mall pretzels right now," Aiden muttered, side-eyeing them with a nervous laugh.
Natalia giggled softly, and Aiden's heart fluttered just hearing it.
But Danna and Garson?They looked like they were auditioning for a villain showdown—neither willing to blink first.
"Ahmm… since we met by luck," Aiden said, scratching the back of his neck and glancing at Natalia, "why don't we hit the arcade? Play some games?"
Natalia's eyes lit up a little. "Yeah, we can—"
"No," Danna cut in sharply, her voice firm. "Never. Not with this Mr. Whatever-Bever."Her eyes flicked to Garson with pure venom.
Garson scoffed, clearly unfazed. "And here comes our delusional queen, acting like everyone's dying to hang out with her," he said, rolling his eyes.
Aiden awkwardly smiled, sensing the battlefield brewing again. "Okay… so that's a 'maybe' from you two?"
Natalia let out a nervous giggle, nudging Danna gently. "Come on, just one game?"
Danna folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Only if I get to beat him in air hockey."
"Oh, you wish, Miss Coffee," Garson said with a smirk.
"Oh, I know," Danna shot back, her smirk even sharper.