A/N

Shorter chapter, but this story is gonna be shorter anyway. Any predictions?

Enjoy!

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He finished writing the note in a flimsy piece of paper. It was a plain compliment of her art, and only that. But, if he were to return it to her, he hoped it would mean something. It was better than nothing.

In retrospect, she drew quite well. Even the drawings that didn't depict him were more than impressive. There were a few portraits scattered between the lovely landscapes and dragons. Most of them depicted a blond guy.

One thing he loved about her drawings was the simplicity in her colour; she rarely coloured in skin tones or backgrounds (probably because it was more time-consuming) and instead coloured in only the features that stood out. Examples included the blond guy's green eyes, the pink blossoms of the sakura tree she frequented under... As well as his reddish brown hair and blue eyes which matched the colour of Wisp's collar.

It probably didn't mean anything that she had drawn him. Cole even pointed out how he just draws the first thing he sees when he's bored. But she had to have stared for a while to draw him, right? And what if she saw him on a really bad day and he was a mess and-

The door of the back room opened slightly and the smell of warm noodles oozed in. He quickly shoved the sketchbook in his pocket and straightened his uniform.

"Delivery," the girl on the other side of the room announced. Her red ponytail bounced as she walked towards him, shoving the bag in his hands. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Hey... Skylor," he said, taking the bag carefully. He tried to play it cool, but his voice trembled. "Why are ya asking?"

She shook her head. "Nevermind. Sorry for making you do the double work, I'm just having trouble finding a new guy after Turner quit... Do you want me to take it?"

He took a quick glance at the address, then sighed. "Nah, it's okay. It's near my place anyway." He forced a smile. "And... it's not your fault. I've just got some other things going on, that's all."

She shrugged, locking the back door when they both exited. "If you say so."

She tied her apron and approached a table to take their order. For being the big boss of the business, Skylor sure was more lenient than her father ever was. He had heard many rumours about him, and the only thing he took away was to never work under him.

Jay rummaged through the counter's drawer for the motorcycle's keys. The moment he found them, the doors burst open.

Sunglasses indoors, spiky, too-gelled hair, as well as a flashy leather jacket with fire patterns on it. Yep, that was surely him.

"The face of Chen's Noodle House is here," Kai announced. Jay couldn't tell whether he was joking or not.

Kai took off his sunglasses. The scar across his eye had yet to fully heal, but he wasn't afraid to show it off; he had a different story each time someone asked about it.

Skylor pecked his lips when he approached, then shoved a dirty towel in his arms. "Go do the dishes, face of Chen's," she instructed. "And thanks for coming to help out."

Jay snorted at the tragic shift of Kai's expression. Kai shot him a look, and he held back his laugh. Nevertheless, Kai smiled at Skylor and went to do the work without an objection further.

Jay secured the sketchbook tightly in his pocket as he got on the motorcycle. He set the GPS on his phone and raised a brow. The building was right next to his own, and yet he never recalled delivering there ever.

A notification went off in his phone. The social media manager of Chen's (ie Kai) had posted about a selfie with Skylor; of course, he had tagged his own account underneath. He was by no means an influencer, but he somehow got so many gigs even Jay was surprised. He'd have to ask him about it someday.

He started the motorcycle, dreading the long road ahead.

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The elevator was broken. As if things couldn't get any better.

He ran up the stairs at first, thinking he would endure; he jogged every day, what was so different? Alas, after the first few floors, he had to take it slow.

He arrived at the door panting, taking a moment to breathe before ringing the doorbell. Shuffling and quick footsteps could be heard on the other side, but he wasn't in a hurry. Maybe he could pass by his apartment on the way back and grab something to eat or check on Wisp.

He was leaning against the door when it opened with a swift swing, but he regained his balance just in time. On the other side stood a blond young man, taller than him and wearing all-green pyjamas. He looked familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

He handed him the food and got a thumbs-up in return. The young man scrambled to search through his wallet, trying to pick apart the correct amount.

While Jay waited, he couldn't help but look past the door. In the small kitchen was another person. He thought his mind was lying to himself at first, but she turned around and... that sure was her.

She looked in his general direction and his heart skipped a beat. But her face only showed annoyance.

"I told you to prepare the money beforehand," she said to the young man. She rushed to get her own wallet.

He recognised the voice as well. It was undoubtedly her. He knew it.

So, as she was searching through her own wallet, he took his chance. He looked over the guy's shoulder, calling out her name.

"Sam?" he said. The boy raised an eyebrow, but it still got her attention.

She recognised his face immediately and approached the door. "Oh, hi. You're from the park."

The guy looked at her knowingly, but she discreetly kicked his leg before he could say anything.

"Uh, yeah!" Jay looked between her and the guy. He blinked, escaping his thoughts to dig his hand into his pocket.

The moment he pulled out the sketchbook, her eyes lit up. His heart fluttered at the sight.

"I found it at your usual spot when you left," he said. He neglected to mention why she left, but it had to come up eventually. "So... is your head okay?"

She stopped admiring the notebook to look into his eyes. She quickly looked away with an awkward grin. "After a bag of ice, sure..."

"I'm so sorry-"

"Don't worry about it. How is your dog doing?"

"Oh. She's fine!"

A few seconds of awkward staring later, she reached for her wallet. He wanted to punch himself for not saying anything more, but with the other guy there it was anything but easy for his nerves.

She handed him the cash, lightly grabbing his hand to put it in his palm. Almost instinctively, he shuddered at the gesture and pulled away. Nice going, Jay!

"Keep the change," she said, giving him a small wave. "Goodnight."

"Oh, yeah, have a nice night!" Who says that?

The door closed and he sank against the wall.

At least he spoke to her. And she had a roommate too.

Or a brother, though they looked nothing alike.

... Or a boyfriend. Of course she would have a boyfriend!

Defeated and destroyed, he descended down the stairs with a slump in his posture.

At least she left a good tip.

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"It looks so much easier in movies," Jay grumbled, kicking a pebble. Wisp chased it, but Cole tugged gently her leash. He laughed at Jay's expense, albeit with an air of sympathy.

Despite an entire day passing, he still couldn't get her out of his mind. Maybe she should have stayed as just that, a lame fantasy of his that he can daydream about at the park.

The sky above was crowded with clouds, making him at the very least thankful for having a day off. Skylor was very much against delivery in such a heavy storm-the one they were sure was going to follow.

"How do you know she has a boyfriend? Could've been a roommate, a sibling, a cousin..."

"I don't know! But I don't want to have to go through that awkward conversation and have my heart torn into even smaller pieces!"

"And I thought Kai was overdramatic." It wasn't often that they met, but Cole had made his opinion on him loud and clear from their first encounter at Chen's.

He knelt down to massage Wisp's snout and take off her leash. "Whatever, I just want to forget about it. I can't have an interview with a broken heart."

"That's in a month."

"You get what I mean!"

Cole stopped. His smirk was visible even in the tone of his voice. "Blossom."

"What?"

He made him stand up, his eyes gesturing ahead. "Blossom."

"Oh."

She wasn't anywhere near the tree that time. Instead, she was on a bench preparing an envelope. His bench. His usual spot.

He doubted it was intentional, but he still approached. However, upon his first step, Wisp ran up to her.

She jumped up from her seat, though her shock was replaced by a grin. Her gaze was quick to turn towards him and Cole, and her expression turned sheepish.

"Hi... again," she said. She fiddled with the envelope in her hands. "You arrived later than usual today so I was about to leave it here since that's where you usually sit." Her words were rather quick, but not by any means anxious. "So... here."

She took a moment to pet Wisp, now standing on two legs and reaching up towards her. Her gaze lifted up just enough to witness his confusion, and she stood straight.

"It's for the sketchbook," she clarified. "It was really important to me and I thought I had lost it. So thank you. I didn't have a lot to give you but I hope it's better than nothing."

"Oh, it's okay! I think we're even after that ball throw now," he added with a nervous chuckle. Cole stifled a laugh behind him.

"Your drawings are really good, by the way," Cole added. "Ever tried gouache?"

"No, just watercolour," she said. "You draw as well?"

"Architect in the flesh," he said, puffing out his chest. "Art school wasn't my father's thing, so I settled. But I've always been a coal guy."

Jay searched through the envelope, though listened to their conversation carefully.

"Did you go to art school?" Cole asked her.

"No, no, it's just a hobby. I'm a mechanical engineer on the robotics side of things. And automobiles, somewhat. It's complicated."

He paled. If she was that close in age and an engineer...

She looked at him. "I've put some coupons for the autbody shop I work at. It's not much, but if you ever need something..."

Jay could only nod, but Cole was quick to intervene. He threw his arm around Jay's shoulder.

"You were telling me about your motorbike needing service a few days ago, right? And a new paint job."

"Uh..." But before Jay could utter another word, Cole continued.

"Maybe he could pass by today? It's kind of urgent."

She smiled. "Oh, sure. I start work at four and I doubt we'll have many other costumers with the storm and all..."

"Perfect."

"It's a date then."

Jay finally uttered another word. "Thanks again. You really didn't have to."

"Thank you."

She knelt down to give Wisp another pat. "Goodbye," she told her.

She waved the other two goodbye as well, and went on her way.

Jay just stood there and stared. Cole was the one to break the silence.

"She's cute."

Jay's eye twitched. "Whose side are you on?"

"Hey, I never said she was my type," he said. "Plus, I scored you a date."

"Not a date. Far from a date. Again, she probably has a boyfriend." He sighed. "But... you're right. I owe you cake."

"That's the spirit." As they walked away with Wisp, he raised his bushy eyebrow. "Do you think you went to the same university?"

"Very likely." His voice cracked. He couldn't hold it back. "Cole, I was this close to going to robotics. I could have met her in college!"

"Hey, electrical engineers and robotic engineers go together. Maybe if you actually went out a bit more."

"Who has time for that in college?"

The debate continued until the bakery, at which point it was the chocolate cake that shut their mouths.