Lunch break came, and the school cafeteria buzzed with the usual noise shouts, laughter, trays clattering but today, the air felt charged. Every table Jalen walked past, heads turned. Girls whispered furiously, nudging each other, trying to look like they weren't staring.
He ignored it all.
His eyes were already set on one spot—near the back, where Mary Kim sat with her usual group of friends. She was eating quietly, her calm demeanor unchanged, but there was a faint crease in her brow. She hadn't seen him yet.
Then she did.
Jalen was already walking over, his tray in hand. Her friends stiffened, whispering quickly, trying to keep their cool. Mary's expression didn't change at first… until she remembered. That last night. The riverside. The gift. The kiss.
A subtle red bloomed on her cheeks, barely visible… but there.
"Mind if I sit here?" Jalen asked, his voice smooth but quiet.
Mary looked at him for a moment, her expression unreadable… then nodded, scooting over just a little. Her friends, all good-looking girls, were trying very hard to act normal, though none of them could meet his eyes.
Jalen sat next to Mary.
"You're really drawing attention today," she said casually, picking at her food.
He smiled. "I noticed."
She glanced at him sideways. "Still so calm about it, huh?"
He leaned slightly closer. "I've had worse attention."
She hesitated, then shook her head with a slight smile. "You're annoying."
"You weren't saying that last time," he said low enough that only she could hear.
Her chopsticks stopped mid-air for half a second before she regained her composure. Her cheeks betrayed her again, turning a shade deeper. But she didn't back down.
"You planning on kissing everyone who gives you attention?"
He met her gaze evenly. "Only the ones who matter."
Mary didn't say anything for a moment. Then she smirked lightly and kept eating.
Lunch carried on, but at that table, time felt slower. Softer.
And in a cafeteria full of stares, the only two who seemed unaware were Jalen and Mary.