I thought he was done.
I really did.
But Xavier had this way of dropping things so casually that they stayed with you far longer than they should.
Later that day, we were all sitting outside, waiting for the teacher to finish a call. Calvin and Mira were arguing over snacks again, their voices fading into background noise.
I was tying my shoelace when Xavier suddenly spoke.
"You know," he said, tone calm, almost thoughtful, "it's kind of dangerous."
I looked up. "What is?"
"The way you look at me when you think I'm not paying attention."
My fingers froze.
"I—what are you talking about?" I asked, heart already betraying me.
He met my eyes, completely serious now, but his lips curved into the faintest smile. "Every time you do that, I feel like I should be the one blushing."
I felt my face heat instantly. "Xavier!"
He chuckled softly. "See?"
Calvin glanced back. "Why is Hinata red?"
"Sun," Xavier replied smoothly.
Mira raised an eyebrow. "It's cloudy."
I covered my face with my hands. "I hate all of you."
But the worst part?
From that moment on, every time Xavier looked at me—really looked at me—I remembered his words.
And every single time…
My cheeks burned.
Because now I knew something dangerous.
Xavier noticed me.
Not accidentally.
Not randomly.
On purpose.
And no matter how hard I tried to act normal, one glance from him was enough to make my heart forget how to behave.