Rhea was already seated when Ling entered the class.
Second row. Window side.
Zifa beside her, whispering about notes.
The room shifted the moment Ling stepped in.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just attention reorienting.
"Go sit at the back," Ling said.
No explanation.
Zifa blinked. Looked at Rhea. Then at Ling again.
"Uh—"
"Now," Ling added, tone flat.
Zifa swallowed and moved without another word.
Ling sat.
Close.
Close enough that her knee brushed Rhea's thigh when she crossed her leg. Close enough that Rhea paused for half a second before continuing to write.
Ling leaned back lazily, elbow resting on the desk behind Rhea's chair.
"What are you writing?" Ling asked.
Rhea didn't look at her. "Notes."
Ling tilted her head, reading upside down with ease.
"That's not how you spell that," she murmured.
Rhea's pen stilled.
"You can read from there?" Rhea asked coolly.
Ling smiled faintly. "You're not hiding it."
Rhea kept writing. Faster now.
Ling leaned closer, voice dropping just enough that only Rhea could hear.
"You concentrate like you're trying to punish the paper."
Rhea finally glanced at her. "And you talk like you enjoy being a distraction."
Ling's smile widened — slow, unapologetic.
"I am one."
Rhea's jaw tightened, but her pen hesitated again.
Ling reached out and gently tapped the edge of Rhea's notebook with one finger.
"You always press too hard," she said quietly. "Your hand cramps later."
Rhea stilled.
She turned fully this time, eyes sharp. "Watching me now?"
Ling met her gaze without flinching. "Always did."
From the back of the room—
Rina raised her brows.
Jian leaned forward, amused.
Rowen muttered something under his breath.
Mira's fingers curled slowly around her pen, nails biting plastic.
Rhea snapped her notebook shut.
"Sit properly," she said. "You're invading my space."
Ling adjusted immediately.
Straightened.
Folded her hands on the desk.
Perfect.
Too perfect.
"Better?" Ling asked softly.
Rhea looked away again. "Marginally."
Ling leaned closer once more.
"Good," she said. "Because I wasn't planning to move."
The professor entered then.
Rhea stared at the board, face composed, pride intact.
Ling watched the side of her face for a second longer than necessary before finally looking forward—
calm, composed, smiling faintly—
as if sitting beside Rhea hadn't just undone her entire sense of control.
After the Bell, the lecture ended.
Chairs scraped back. Voices rose. The spell broke.
Rhea stood immediately, slinging her bag over her shoulder without a glance toward Ling. She walked out with purpose, heels steady, spine straight—control intact.
Ling followed.
Not rushed.
Not obvious.
Just… inevitable.
The café was already buzzing when Rhea stepped in. She went straight to the counter, fingers already reaching for her wallet—
"Black coffee. No sugar," Ling said calmly.
The barista froze for half a second, then nodded instinctively.
Rhea turned slowly.
"I didn't ask you to—"
Ling was already pulling out her card.
"I know what you drink," she replied, tone mild. "You complain when it's wrong."
Rhea exhaled sharply through her nose and stepped aside, arms folding. "You're unbearable."
Ling smiled like it was a compliment.
They waited in silence.
When the cups arrived, Ling took Rhea's without asking. She peeled open a small cream packet, tilted it carefully, and with a steady wrist let the white swirl into the dark surface—
A heart.
Small. Precise. Intentional.
Ling slid the cup toward Rhea.
"For your attitude," she said lightly.
Rhea stared at it for exactly one second.
Then she rolled her eyes, picked up the cup, and took a sip without disturbing the shape.
"Childish," she said.
Ling leaned against the counter, watching her. "You noticed."
Rhea turned to leave.
But just before she did, she muttered, almost unwillingly—
"You made it symmetrical."
Ling's smile lingered long after Rhea walked away.
Afternoon
The university gates were already thinning when Rina caught up with Ling, keys twirling around her finger.
"I'm coming with you," Rina said casually.
Ling didn't slow. "No."
Rina stopped short. "Why?"
Ling finally glanced at her. Calm. Certain.
"I'm going with Rhea."
Rina's eyes widened so fast it was almost comical.
"…Oh."
She grinned instantly, stepped closer, and pinched Ling's arm hard. "So. Got yourself a girlfriend now, hm?"
Ling hissed. "Rina."
Rina laughed, leaning in. "Relax. I approve."
Ling shot her a look. "You approve too loudly."
Rina stepped back, hands up. "Fine. Go ruin your own peace."
She walked off, still smirking.
Ling turned.
Rhea was already near the parking area, scrolling on her phone, posture sharp, attention elsewhere.
Ling approached, stopping right in front of her.
"My car?" Ling asked.
Rhea didn't even look up. "No."
Ling raised a brow. "No?"
"I have work," Rhea said flatly, slipping her phone into her bag.
Ling stepped closer.
One step.
Then another.
Rhea looked up just in time for Ling's hand to brace against the car beside her, body blocking the space before she could move.
"I'll do any work you have," Ling said quietly.
Rhea's back met the car door.
Her eyes narrowed. "You don't even know what it is."
Ling leaned in just enough for her voice to drop.
"Doesn't matter."
Rhea scoffed. "You think you can just—"
Ling's other hand came up, resting against the car near Rhea's shoulder, caging her.
"I'm not asking," Ling said evenly. "I'm offering."
Rhea searched her face—looking for arrogance, for command, for control.
She found sincerity instead.
That annoyed her more.
"Move," Rhea said.
Ling didn't.
Rhea exhaled sharply, then smiled—slow, deliberate.
"Fine," she said. "But don't complain."
Ling stepped back instantly, opening the space like she hadn't just cornered her.
"Never do," Ling replied.
Rhea walked toward Ling's car first.
Ling followed—heart loud, expression steady—
already aware that whatever "work" meant,
it wasn't going to be simple for either of them.