Chapter Text
The campus café was buzzing with students, the scent of coffee and pastries filling the air. You, still adjusting to the rhythm of college life, scanned the dessert counter and locked eyes on the last slice of tiramisu. Just as you reached for it, another hand brushed against yours.
Startled, you turned to see a tall, confident-looking guy eyeing the same dessert. He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze.
“Well, this is awkward,” he mused, withdrawing his hand slightly but not stepping back.
“I saw it first,” you said, standing your ground. You looked at him and his hazel eyes met yours which made you slightly shiver, eye contact was never your thing as you find it hard to focus.
“So did I,” he countered smoothly, still not letting go of the dessert. You were about to counter when someone called him, causing for his attention to divert towards the person who called him.
So with his attention being focused on his colleague, you took this opportunity to grab the dessert, “Sorry, in a hurry!” you mumbled as you hurriedly went to the counter to pay for the dessert.
As you’re paying for the dessert, you noticed that he’s now seated beside the window, typing something in his laptop while his colleague is sitting infront of him as they continued to discuss something which seems to be serious.
“You’re a freshman aren’t you?” Your thoughts were suddenly interrupted with the voice of the cashier, who gave you a knowing smile as they rang up your dessert.
You blinked, momentarily distracted from watching the mysterious sophomore. “Uh… yeah. Is it that obvious?”
The cashier chuckled. “A little. First-years always have that wide-eyed look when they step into the café for the first time.” They handed your change. “That guy you were talking to—Zayne, right? He’s pretty well-known around here.”
You glanced back toward the window, where Zayne was still typing, his expression now more serious as his colleague spoke. “Well-known how?”
The cashier smirked. “Let’s just say he’s got a bit of a reputation. Smart, sharp-tongued, and impossible to read. Some people avoid him, some are drawn to him. Either way, you don’t forget him easily.”
You hummed in response, gripping the plate a little tighter. Your first interaction with him had already left an impression, and now you were even more curious. You couldn’t explain it but something is just pulling you closer to him.
“Good luck, freshman,” the cashier added playfully as you turned away.
With your dessert in hand, you hesitated for a moment before deciding on a seat—not too far, but not too close— but then, you saw that Zayne’s colleague already left which leaves him alone in his table, still typing in his laptop.
You bit your lip, contemplating whether you would seat because all tables were now occupied and it seems like no one wants to sit with Zayne. So, with a heavy breath, you stride towards his table.
When you placed your plate of tiramisu on his table, he suddenly stopped typing and he looked up at you.
“Yes? Is there anything you need?” He asked, you gulped and prayed not to stutter.
“Well, the place is a bit crowded so is it okay if I could sit with you? If not, I can just find another place to sit.” You replied, it seems like he’s contemplating for his answer. His eyes wandered throughout the whole cafe, scanning for any available seats before finally settling back on you. He hesitates for a moment, then exhales softly.
“Yeah, sure. Go ahead,” he says, gesturing toward the empty seat across from him.
You nod in appreciation and set your dessert down before pulling out the chair. As you sit, you take a moment to glance at him. He seems deep in thought, his fingers idly tapping against the rim of his coffee cup.
“Thanks,” you say, offering a small smile. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”
He shakes his head. “It’s fine. This place does get packed around this time.”
A brief silence lingers between the two of you, not necessarily awkward, but noticeable. You wonder if you should strike up a conversation or simply enjoy the shared space in quiet.
You slid the spare fork which you grabbed earlier to his side, “I was thinking that their serving of tiramisu is big enough for two people.” you said as you smiled at him, he suddenly stares at the fork, then at you, his brows raising slightly in surprise. His fingers hover over the utensil as if debating whether to accept the silent invitation.
“Please have some, I felt bad taking the last slice when you were eyeing it too,” you said with a sheepish smile.
Zayne paused, his gaze flicking from the fork to you, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re an interesting one.”
You raised an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
He took a small bite of the tiramisu, his expression thoughtful. “Depends on how you interpret it.”
You shrugged, rolling your eyes lightly, then took a bite yourself. The rich flavor of the dessert settled between you, and the earlier tension seemed to ease.
“So, you’re kind of a big deal around here,” you remarked, remembering the cashier’s words. Zayne’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Let me guess, the cashier filled you in?”
You nodded. “Yeah, they said you’re sharp, smart, and a bit… hard to read. Sounds pretty accurate.”
He leaned back, a small chuckle escaping him. “They always make it sound more dramatic than it is.”
You smiled, teasing, “Maybe. But I’m getting the vibe you don’t usually share your dessert.”
He chuckled again, shaking his head. “Maybe not. But I’ll make an exception this time.”
His mini remark caused for you to smile, as you both shared your dessert. You both fell into a comfortable silence wherein only the chattering of students, clicking of keyboards and the buzzing of the coffee machine blended into the background.
As you were wandering your eyes throughout the cafe, your gaze immediately landed upon Zayne’s eyes who’s intensely focused on his laptop monitor, and from time to time he uses his fingers to push his glasses upward.
As you stared at him, that’s when you noticed his features. His jawline was sharp, giving him a slightly rugged yet refined look, and his dark hair fell messily over his forehead, as if he didn’t care to keep it in place. His glasses, though simple, added an air of intelligence to his appearance. His eyes, a deep shade of hazel, were fixed on the screen with such intensity that it almost felt like he was in a world of his own.
You couldn’t help but notice the subtle confidence in his demeanor, the way he exuded a calm yet focused energy. It was the kind of presence that made it hard to look away. As he pushed his glasses up again with a quick flick of his finger, the small action felt almost deliberate, like a little routine he did without thinking.
For a moment, you forgot to look away, your thoughts drifting as you observed him. There was something captivating about how he carried himself—like he didn’t need anyone’s attention, but somehow, everyone around him seemed to want it.
But then, it was suddenly interrupted when your phone alarmed and as you saw the time, you’re already running late for your next class.
“Shit!” you muttered which caught Zayne’s attention as you hurriedly fixed your things.
“What’s the matter?” He said as he noticed how panicked you looked, he immediately closed his laptop as he focused on you.
“I’m running late.” you said as you stood up, about to leave “Thank you for letting me sit with you, it was really nice chatting with you. Goodby-“ you were about to leave when he immediately grabbed your wrist.
“Wait, how am I going to treat you for dessert next time?” he asked which immediately caught you off guard.
“When we see each other on campus,” you responded, and when he finally let go of your grip, you hurriedly rushed toward the exit. You hadn’t gotten far from the café when you heard him call out to you.
“How am I supposed to find you when I don’t even know your name?”
You turned your head at the sound of his voice, his tone playful but with an edge of curiosity.
“(Name)! That’s my name! I’ll see you around, Zayne!” you shouted back. As you turned away, you couldn’t help but bite your lip, trying to suppress the smile that was creeping up on you, especially when you noticed the smile that formed on his face upon hearing your name.