The next day, Dom casually chats with Wyatt while Tyler remains silent—clearly still in a bad mood. Suddenly, the sound of Eve giggling from outside catches their attention, prompting all three of them to instantly look towards the window! In realization, Tyler glances slightly backward. Dom notices his subtle movement from behind and lets out a jaded gaze—before turning his attention back to the door.

Your head pops out of the door, revealing that you're trying the new hairstyle Eve suggested. Hair down.. with a variation of a half-up, half-down with a French braid detail. Your face cringes in embarrassment as you avert your eyes, scanning the reactions of those around—until your gaze lands on the boy who's been smirking in the background.

Eve's head finally pops up behind you like a Teletubbies. She scolds you playfully, urging you to enter the room as you let out a groan. Finally, you step inside—revealing how you've been Eve's captive for the day as she continues to push you around, taking control of your movements—guiding you towards Dom's seat. Wyatt laughs in amusement, understanding the playful antics of his girlfriend.

As this unfolds, you also notice Tyler staring at you hesitantly. However, as you pass by him, Tyler breaks eye contact. Dom notices, narrowing his eyes—but a playful smirk appears when you finally reach his side. In a teasing manner, he asks,

"Are you trying to impress me, Emilia Winters?"

Suppressing a smile, you tilt your head sheepishly, playfully acting as if you're contemplating before teasing him,

"What if I am?"

At your answer, Hunt chuckles, standing up without breaking his gaze from you. Casually flings his bag behind him with his eyes looming over you, he grins and say,

"Then you succeed."

Beaming like the sun, you can't help but escape a happy giggle. Tyler, looking visibly irritated in his seat, almost nauseated right here right now. Meanwhile, Wyatt watches the two contrasting scenes with amusement, giving his girlfriend a wink of approval before declaring his love, "You look absolutely dashing, my love!"

Standing up hastily, he flings his bag behind him—and reunites with the love of his life. Eve playfully flies Wyatt a kiss and gives him her signature smile—when she notices Tyler's bored expression. She suppresses a laugh—before teasingly asks, "What do you think, Ty? Do I look pretty?"

Turning his head to her with cynical eyes, the only word that escapes his mouth is, "No."

Wyatt promptly slaps the back of Tyler's head before circling to hug his pouting girlfriend. "Don't listen to the sad buffoon, baby, you look atrociously beautiful," he declares, bringing a fresh grin on his girl's lips. The couple then heads towards the door hand in hand. Both you and Dom chuckle at the scene. Smiling widely, you exchange another glance—before he finally mutters,

"Ladies first?"

Forming a sheepish side smile, you tilt your head approvingly, moving your gaze away from him—then to him again, and chuckle. You proceed to the door, with Dom following closely behind you.

Tyler, having just stood up and flung his bag behind him, notices the scene before him. Watching Dominic places a hand on your back—stirs something inside him—before he finally looks away, and sighs in resignation.

The echoes of laughter filled the school hall as the last lesson ended. As all of you found each other at the hall, you notice Hunt naturally aligning himself beside you, creating a subtle closeness as you both head towards the school's main exit side by side.

Trying to conceal a smile, you grip the straps of your bag, briefly averting your gaze to compose yourself. Next to you, Dominic can't help but release a slight smirk. He looks down with a hint of amusement, acknowledging the shared moment between the two of you.

The others pretend not to notice. But it's evident that Eve and Liam—walking hand in hand—share approving giggles at the scene unfolding in front of them. However, the situation was much different in the front. Accepting a hug from his girlfriend, Tyler offers a slight welcoming smile to her despite his seemingly casual glances to the back, trying to keep track of the scene unfolding far behind him.

By the fountain, you're engrossed in a conversation with Dom, lost in your own world. Tyler stands nearby with the others—however, his gaze remains fixed on the two of you, his irritation becoming increasingly evident. As you continue chatting, the sun starts setting, and your eyes widen in realization—prompting you to check the time on your phone.

"Oh! I think I should get going,"

With wide eyes, Dominic asks in curiosity, "Oh! Where to—?"

"She has a pilates session at 4 and piano lesson at 5."

Pilates—?! What the fuck—

At the sooty low sound, both of you turn to look behind. You observe Reed and Wyatt equally surprised—it couldn't be Liam. You check on the last couple.. to find Taylor crossing her arms with a sour expression—

...

Then it's settled.

You move your glance to the last culprit.. to find Cavill—far at the end of the group—standing there, fixing his eyes on you. You shift your glance to Dom in confusion—to find him already raising an eyebrow at Tyler. Eager to straighten the misguided information, you open your mouth—

"Piano lesson—yes, pilates—"

"Yes you do. Your mom registered you last week, remember?"

As if expecting you to pick up on his telepathy, even though you still—don't. He budges his eyes at you nonstop, sending creeps all over your body. Under immense pressure, you stammer,

"I—I—"

"Oookay then," cutting the conversation short, Dominic comes to the rescue—as always—despite also being somewhat confused. Disregarding his weird bro's antics, he redirects his attention back to you, wears a smile and asks, "Want me to take you home?"

At his question, you beam—as do Reed and Wyatt. However, behind them, Cavill glares at Hunt—then at you, giving a 'what the fuck' look on his face. As everybody await your answer in different levels of anticipation, you open your mouth in excitement, "If—if that's not bothering you—"

"I'LL TAKE YOU HOME!"

But then a loud yell echoes through the air. Causing everybody, including your group, to turn your heads to the culprit. In flustered anger, Taylor also yells, "Ty! But who's gonna take me home?!"

Out of nowhere, a guy jokingly sings, "I can take you home, Taylor~"

Everybody observes the scene with bizarro. Annoyingly, the guy leans to the group as he waits for Tyler's reaction, seemingly in the mood for a fight. Cavill lifts an eyebrow—and the guy eventually laughs nervously while raising both hands, signaling that he's just joking. However, as he turns away, Cavill nonchalantly says,

"Then it's settled,"

Turning back as if struck by lightning, the guy stammers, "W—what—" clearly not expecting the unexpected approval. The entire group's eyes widen in confusion, especially Taylor, whose face now reddens with rage.

"You have got. to be kidding me—!"

Ignoring his girlfriend's protest, he strides toward your bewildered self and demands, "Let's go."

Giving him an irritated glare, you slightly move your jaws to the front in bewilderment and sneer, "Actually, I'm going with—"

But before you even finish your sentence, he smiles nonchalantly—grabs your hand, and drags you away from the group! You flip your head back and forth between him and your group behind you as he drags you away—watching Dom exhale a tired sigh along with Eve and Wyatt.

Moving your gaze to Taylor.. you get goosebumps just by the amount of hatred you can notice in her eyes. Still in shock from his behavior, you direct your eyes to him—shooting a glare from behind his jet-black hair, finally letting out the question of the day, "Uhhh what the hell, you moron?"

He jerks his head to you from the front and gives you a glare—before turning back, focusing on his fast strides as he jeers, "What?! I'm a moron now?!"

"Well, yes you are—!"

But before you can continue your rant, a voice interrupts both of you, calling your name. Recognizing the voice, both of you jerk your heads, one with relief, the other.. with irritation. You know which is which.

As Hunt catches up to you, you ask in a very different tone from which you just used, making Cavill roll his eyes in annoyance, "Dom! Please help me from this weirdo—" only to be cut off as Tyler pinches your hand before releasing his grip. You yell in slight pain, ending up glaring at him in annoyance.

Dom shakes his head with a lopsided grin, perhaps too accustomed with his bestfriend's antics that allows him to effortlessly dismiss them. "Sorry I can't," he declares, but then leans in closer to your ear with a whisper, "bear just this time for me?" He pulls away and smirks to you sweetly—before shifting his gaze to Cavill.

"I know you guys have a lot to talk about anyway."

You notice Dom's subtle nod to Tyler as he avert his eyes in annoyance, and you marvel at how seamlessly Dom can still play the bestfriend role despite this weird situation. However, you wonder..

A lot to talk about..? What does he mean..?

As you narrow your eyes to the suspicious statement, Tyler lets out an impatient exhale, directed specifically at his bestbro, and barks, "You know. Ok. Yeah. Good. Now scoot, child,"

Watching Tyler's cocked head as he waits impatiently, Dominic's mouth forms an amused lopsided grin, chuckling patiently, "One more thing," and he redirects his gaze to you. Just as you reciprocate with a questioning look, he retrieves his phone from his pocket, punches several buttons, and extends his phone to you as he asks for—

"Your number."

Failing in the attempt to hide your giddiness, you let out the biggest grin and snatch his phone. Causing Dom to slightly bite his tongue between his teeth and look down, letting out a relieved cackle. In contrast, Tyler lets out a tired glare at the two of you as he watches you smile sheepishly and punch your numbers into Dominic's phone.

You're asking me why he didn't have my number? All this time? You know why. You know who.

When you give back his phone, the two of you sheepishly gaze at each other for a brief blissful moment—until finally, he breaks the silence, asking, "We should hang out sometime?"

Beaming like the whole universe shining its light on you, you eagerly shout, "Sure!" and give him the sweetest smile you could ever muster.

Oh that grin.. the most beautiful grin..

"Okay."

He says, before transforming his charming grin into a dazzling smirk that enchants you—before he breaks your gaze to turn to Tyler and cheers, "Take care of her, bro!" That's when you finally take notice of Tyler again—face sour as an unripe lemon. Averting your eyes to Dominic in lasting glee, he winks and saunters away. Eventually, you divert your gaze to Tyler again—as he gives you a jaded look and jeers,

"A lot to talk about indeed."

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Cecylia Costania @rcpcswrites

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