Aurora stirred beneath the crumpled throw blanket, groggy and disoriented, her limbs tangled like she'd wrestled sleep itself. Her hair fanned around her head like a wild halo, and one sock was missing—probably claimed by Mochii during one of his nightly rebellions.
She blinked against the soft morning light streaming through her half-drawn curtains. The first thing she noticed was that she was still in yesterday's clothes. Her oversized baby-blue hoodie clung awkwardly to her side, wrinkled and sleep-worn, and her jeans were unbuttoned halfway, like she'd given up mid-change and simply passed out.
Wait. What time was it?
Her phone buzzed beneath her; she reached for her phone under the pillow—and yelped as her hand brushed fur. "Mochii!" she groaned, watching him blink up at her from beside her head, unimpressed by her dramatics. He gave a little snort and turned away like, Finally. You're up.
She sat up slowly, her back cracking. "Ugh. What even happened?"
It came back in fragments. She'd gotten home last night buzzing from that encounter with Leo in the elevator—his lazy smirk, the way he'd said, "You're the one in my building, sunshine." The words had replayed in her head like a broken record.
Then, she'd rambled to Mochii. Full-on play-by-play. His exact expression, the way his gaze flicked from her eyes to her lips like it was the most natural thing in the world. She'd dramatically re-enacted it for the bunny, even mimicked Leo's smirk using her toothbrush as a microphone.
Mochii had remained unimpressed.
She must've passed out mid-rant, curled up with him like a starfish on her couch.
Her phone buzzed again. She squinted at the screen, and—
49 unread messages
The Pact 💅🐇🔥
Oh no.
She unlocked it and immediately regretted it.
Van: WHO FORGOT TO SET AN ALARM 😩
Hello? It's literally 11:42, babes.
If we don't get Auro here in 10, I'm eating her pancake share 🧇
Rhee: She's definitely dreaming about Leo again.
Probably using Mochii as a stand-in body pillow.
😏🐰💋
Van: Rhee STOP I'm drinking water 😭💀
Anyway we're making chocolate chip pancakes and blasting early 2000s songs.
Auro, WAKE UP, our sleepover plan is under ATTACK.
Sleepover plan?
Aurora blinked.
Oh crap—it's Sunday!
And then it hit her: yesterday at the cafeteria, they'd all sat squished into that booth, eating curly fries and plotting their Sunday sleepover. "Full girly chaos," Rhea had declared. "Face masks, junk food, emotional breakdowns welcome."
Aurora groaned. "Why am I like this?"
Mochii gave her a bored look and began dramatically cleaning his ears.
She fired off a message in the group, fingers flying.
Auro: OMG I forgot I'm SORRY 😭😭😭
I fell asleep ranting to Mochii about Leo and now my spines in three pieces.
I'm coming I swear. Give me 20 mins and some motivation 🫠
Van: We have pancakes and gossip. MOVE IT.
Also Leo just liked Rhea's story from last night??? 👀
Rhee: He's lurking.
He wants to see if Aurora's in the frame.
King of subtlety, he is not 😌
Aurora buried her face in her hands.
Her stomach flipped again—not from hunger, but from the butterflies that had been living rent-free since yesterday. The way he'd looked at her like she was something interesting—not cute, not sweet, but something he couldn't quite figure out.
Which, let's be honest, was a rare feeling for her. She'd never really dated. Between part-time shifts, assignments, and her own cosmic-level shyness, romance just… hadn't happened.
So maybe that's why Leo's attention felt so magnetic. So dangerous.
And maybe that's why she couldn't stop thinking about him, even though she knew better.
Even though Rhea and Van had warned her.
Still.
She glanced at Mochii, who was now staring at her as if he could read her thoughts. Judging her life choices. Again.
"Don't look at me like that," she muttered, pulling her hair into a messy bun. "I'm not falling. I'm just… curious."
Mochii snorted.
A new message pinged.
The Pact 🐾🚀💖
Rhee: Emergency.
Van: Actual EMERGENCY.
Auro: what what WHAT? Now?😳
Rhee: There are pancakes.
Van: And tea. And gossip.
Rhee: Also, Rhee's Super-Secret Hangover Cure™
Van: which we aren't hungover for, just ✨ emotionally fried ✨
Rhee: come overrr, fast, HURRY! 🧇✨ Dorm 4A 💋
Van: Bring Mochii. He has rights.
A chuckle escaped Aurora's mouth as she stared at her screen. Her heart felt light in a way that surprised her—like maybe today wouldn't be so bad. She brushed her teeth, threw on an oversized -pink NASA hoodie, and stuffed Mochii gently in her soft carrier bag (which he hated but tolerated when bribed with kale).
As soon as she swings opened her door, the ghost of Leo's voice still teasing her ears as if he were still in here—
"You're the one in my building, sunshine."
Her heart gave a quiet thud.
Why the hell did he called her sunshine?
How did he know about Mochii?
And more importantly—why had her stomach somersaulted like she was in a teenage romcom?
She groaned, clutching her bag carrier. "This is ridiculous."
Mochii popped his head up from the bag, eyes innocently staring at her, as if calculating her expressions, his ears twitching with sleepy judgment. Aurora glanced at him. "Will you stop looking at me like that. I already told you; I'm not crushing on him."
Mochii blinked slowly. Sure, Jaan.
Aurora stared the empty hallway for a full ten seconds, and scanned her surroundings, as if Leo would pop out from anywhere, deep down she knew he won't but… why still she had this faint feeling down wanting him to actually show up.
Her cheeks flushed.
Her stomach? Butterflies. Again, fluttering, traitorous butterflies.
"Great," she muttered, covering her face with her hand. "He is messing with my head for sure and I'm letting him do that by turning into literal cliché. What is wrong with me?!"
The campus was still drowsy. She passed sleepy students clutching instant coffee, upperclassmen with headphones in, and a trio of drones delivering breakfast burritos to some engineering majors.
She went downstairs, twenty minutes, Aurora found herself standing in the warm chaos of Dorm 4A. Cinnamon pancakes, open windows, and Rhea's giant furry slippers greeted her.
Dorm 4A was warm with the smell of cinnamon and something buttery. She knocked.
Vanessa opened the door with a mischievous grin. "And look who decided to grace us with her presence, Miss Elevator Romance herself." She was wearing fuzzy socks and a sleep shirt that said Earth Girls Are from Saturn. Her honey-brown skin glowed in the morning light, and her glasses were sliding down her nose.
"About TIME!" Rhea said, cross-legged on the bed, still in yesterday's eyeliner but somehow looking like she belonged on a magazine cover. "She brought the beast," she grinned, reaching out to Mochii, who allowed a single pat before hopping down and investigating the floor.
The dorm room buzzed with the easy chaos of friendship—mismatched mugs, a half-eaten cinnamon roll Rhea claimed as her emotional support snack, and lo-fi music humming softly in the background.
"Okay," Aurora said, laughing as she stepped in. "What's the real emergency?"
Vanessa handed her a plate. "You."
Aurora blinked. "What?"
"We need the elevator details," Rhea said, scooting over to make space. "You're not getting out of this."
Aurora sighed dramatically and sat down. "Fine. It was weird. He just... knew about Mochii. Like, without asking. Like he was already aware."
Rhea chewed her pancake thoughtfully. "That's… either romantic or creepy."
"Romantic if he's a book boyfriend," Vanessa corrected. "Creepy if it's real life. Wait—is he watching you?"
"No!" Aurora said muffing down her pancake. "At least... I don't think so."
She looked down. "But something about him feels… off. Like... he walks into a room and the air shifts. Not in a 'he's hot' way. In a 'something's-not-right-but-I-can't-name-it' way."
Rhea's expression suddenly sobered. She leaned back. "Okay, can I tell you guys something? But like... serious serious."
Vanessa and Aurora exchanged glances. "Go on."
Rhea dropped her voice. "Last semester, there was this rumour. That Leo—Callahan—had disappeared for a while. Like, two whole months. No classes, no dorm, no comms. Even the professors were weirdly hush-hush about it."
Aurora blinked. "What? Where was he?"
"No one knows," Rhea said. "Then he just... reappeared and left the dorm. Acting same as before. Like nothing happened. But he was different."
Vanessa shuddered. "That's so Raven claw-gone-dark."
Aurora's stomach tightened. That weird moment in the elevator came rushing back. His gold eyes. The way he looked at her like she was already a page in a book he'd read before.
Then—
Her phone buzzed again.
It was an Instagram DM, from Leo!?
🦋 Aren't you a bit early for college, Sunshine?
– @leocallahan7
"What the actual fuck?" Aurora huffed her once eyes were on her phone screen and another second wandered around surroundings, as if she would trace down the culprit right away.
Aurora sat-up straight cross-legged on the couch, her phone face-down on her lap like it might explode. Her cheeks still hadn't recovered from the light pink flush they'd taken on ten seconds ago, and now it was creeping to the tips of her ears.
Rhea clocked it first. "Okay, someone's radiating 'boy just texted me' energy. Spit it out."
"Yeah, no. Wait-What? What happened—" Vanessa sat tall from her seat, trying to peek into Aurora's mobile screen.
"He DM'd me..." Aurora mumbled.
Rhea handed her a plate like she'd been through this before. "Who is it? Is it the one I'm thinking?"
Aurora continues like she didn't even hear Rhea's question, "…and said, that 'I am a bit early for college.' And…" She swallowed thick lumps of saliva; taste of the last pancake bite she took still lingered. "And he called me Sunshine again, like he did in the elevator. "
Vanessa's brows shot up, but her back rested as her butt again found its ground. "Already?? He's fast."
"Confirmed. She's infected." Rhea declared in confirmation similarly as if a doctor would, who was now finally got to know the cause of a disease.
"Yeah, she's even blushing" Vanessa pointed out, chuckling.
"I am not—ugh." Aurora collapsed onto the couch, burying her face in the pancake-scented throw pillow.
Aurora's phone came to life again, the screen light-up and died after friction of seconds.
Vanessa perked up, setting her mug down. "Wait—did he message again?"
Aurora hesitantly picked up her phone.
Mochii, currently perched like a smug loaf on the armrest beside her, tilted his fuzzy head as if judging her hesitation. He gave a tiny snort and dramatically flopped to his side, clearly over her indecisiveness.
Aurora slowly flipped the phone over, revealing the glowing screen.
One more message from @leocallahan7.
🦋 So this is what dorm room Sundays look like for you? Pancakes and fluffy ears? Cute.
Too bad I wasn't invited. 😏
Vanessa leaned over before Aurora could hide it. "Wait, WHAT?! He knows you're here??"
Rhea snatched the phone with a gleam in her eyes. "This man's Insta game is god-tier."
Aurora blinked, panicked. "How does he know I'm here?! I didn't post anything—and how the hell did he even find my ID?! I don't even use my real name on Insta!"
Mochii gave a small thump with his hind leg, clearly unimpressed by Leo's infiltration of their peaceful pancake moment.
Vanessa gasped. "Is he tracking you?!"
Aurora's eyes widened.
"No," Rhea said smoothly, scrolling through Leo's profile like it was the morning paper. "He just has insane connections. The guy's basically the gossip oracle of campus. Knows the RA's cousin, the guy who runs the canteen, and I swear he once talked his way into the registrar's office during finals week just to charm the timetable out of them."
Aurora groaned. "That doesn't make me feel better."
Vanessa grinned wickedly. "Oh, come on. He's clearly obsessed. You've got him spiralling. Look—he stalked your bunny and your brunch."
Aurora's phone buzzed again- another message.
🦋 Your bunny was glaring at me t. Jealous type, huh? Should I bring him a peace offering? Carrots? Gucci?
Rhea let out an unholy shriek. "GUCCI?! I swear this boy was written by a Wattpad fever dream."
Vanessa doubled over laughing. "He's flirting with your rabbit! Girl, you've unlocked a new level of iconic."
Aurora was frozen, clutching a pillow to her chest like a life raft. "I… I don't even know what to say back!"
Mochii gave a disdainful twitch of his ear, then hopped down onto the carpet, pushing over a slipper with deliberate, passive-aggressive force.
Vanessa pointed. "Look, even Mochii's mad you haven't replied."
Aurora typed slowly, pausing every few seconds as if one wrong emoji would set fire to the entire universe.
🐰 Are you stalking me? How do you know where I am? Also, my bunny doesn't like just anyone. Be careful.
She hit send, heart thudding.
Three dots.
The typing bubble danced for a moment, then vanished.
Reappeared.
Vanessa leaned in. "I swear, if he sends a shirtless pic—"
Ping.
🦋 Not stalking. Just paying attention. You're the kind of girl people notice, Aurora. Don't blame me for doing it better than most. 😉
Also, tell your rabbit that, I'll earn his approval. One day. 🥕✨
Aurora inhaled sharply. Her fingers tingled. Something about his words—cocky, yes, but smooth like melted chocolate on a -summer afternoon—made her stomach curl inwards again.
Vanessa and Rhea practically screamed in sync.
"OH MY GOD."
Rhea grabbed her shoulders. "He's not just flirting. He's trying to tame the bunny. Do you know what that means?! In dating lore?! That's like proposing marriage in Gen-Z!"
Vanessa cackled. "If Mochii accepts him, it's OVER. You're done for. Wedding bells. Bunny-sized tuxedo. I'm planning the registry."
Aurora squealed and buried her face into the couch. "I CAN'T DO THIS. I don't date! I'm a study goblin! I wasn't built for this level of flirtation! What if I say something awkward? What if he's just playing with me?!"
Rhea blinked, suddenly quieter. "He might be."
Vanessa looked over; brows furrowed.
Aurora sat up slowly.
Rhea said softly, "I mean, let's not pretend Leo's reputation doesn't exist. He flirts, he gets what he wants, and then—poof. He's moved on. A heartbreaker with a dangerous smile."
Vanessa nodded solemnly. "It's not like you're the first girl he's DMed."
That stung more than Aurora expected.
But then Rhea added with a small, dreamy sigh, "Still… he's never DMed about a bunny before. Maybe you're different."
Mochii, now sitting dramatically with his back to the entire room like a furry diva, flicked his ear again.
Aurora glanced at the screen.
Three more dots.
Another message incoming.
🦋 You're quiet. Did I scare you? Or is your bunny holding your phone hostage?
Tell him I'll bribe him if I have to. 💳🐇
Aurora laughed—helpless, overwhelmed, but undeniably charmed.
"I think… I think I'm in trouble," she whispered.
Rhea smirked. "Girl, you're in a Leo Callahan storyline. Of course you are."
Vanessa leaned back, sipping her now-cold coffee. "Let's just hope you're the one who writes the ending."
"But honestly, I think it's kinda cute," Rhea said, sipping her lemon tea like she was watching her favourite telenovela. "I mean, he noticed you. And he flirts like he doesn't need to breathe. Classic book boyfriend material."
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "More like classic walking red flag."
Vanessa raised a single, dramatic brow. "The Leo Callahan starter pack: 1) model face, 2) sinfully good arms, 3) commitment issues delivered in designer cologne. He flirts, he chases, he gets bored. Dumped his last girl right after midterms."
"Oh." Aurora froze mid-bite. As she recollected the details they'd dropped yesterday, she realized she had almost forgotten.
"But" Rhea added dreamily, "he does it all with this charming anti-hero smile that makes you want to be the exception. I blame all the morally grey fantasy boys I've read."
Aurora fiddled with her fork. "Maybe I'm just… I don't know. He's probably just a phase. I mean… I've just never really dated. I never had time. It's always been school, work, repeat. Maybe that's why I'm reacting this way."
"I will," Aurora nodded. "But also—he lives in my building."
Vanessa softened. "Hey. You're allowed to feel stuff. Just... be careful, okay?"
Rhea gasped. "Plot twist!"
Vanessa stared. "Okay, now that is suspicious. Are you sure you don't wanna report him to cops? Like he is so-damn literally stalking you?"
Aurora snorted. "No, I think, it could be… it's just a coincidence."
"Or fate." Rhea wiggled her brows.
Rhea stood up dramatically as if she were going to announce who is going to be the next king, her one hand folded on her chest, and another was up in air. "Aurora's love life update:
✔️ Elevator meet-cute
✔️ DM from hot disaster
✔️ Blushing confirmed
Fate is calling. Answer with lip gloss." She totally counts all the points on her fingertips.
"Or pepper spray." Vanessa added from behind.
"Guys, please," Aurora said, practically begging.
Soon the room burst into a joyful wave of laughter. Living up to every bit of what they call as girlhood.
"Well, as much as I hate to say it- he's hot. There, I said it." Vanessa stated rejoicing the emptiness in the room, which was a few seconds ago died of the cheerful laughter, and energy once it had. She was scrolling through his Instagram post and highlights.
"Too hot to be trusted." Rhea agreed.
"Stopppppppppp." Aurora low-key screamed.
"You love it." Vanessa teased.
"…maybe." Aurora said hesitantly.
"SCREAMING IN SHIPPER." Riya said, banging the table with her hands.
Aurora couldn't help it.
She laughed. Loud and real. The room continue to light up with their nonsense and her chest felt full in the best way.
Van said, "He's a walking prince with wolf teeth."
The way Rhea shrugged with a touch of worry, made Auro listening seriously.
She might not understand Leo.
She might not even trust what she was feeling.
But right now?
She didn't feel alone.
And maybe… that was enough.