It was almost night, and the sun was setting. Nick got a message from a groupmate who was at the library; they had found a book and wanted him to check it out. Nick headed inside, finding the library nearly empty. He wandered through the aisles of tall bookshelves until he suddenly heard a familiar laugh. Nick followed the sound of that sweet harmony. Peeking through the shelves, he observed them like an eagle watching its prey. He realized they weren't a couple yet—it was just Raine and that asshole, Lex.
Nick felt a surge of annoyance, tempted to march over and punch that dumbass. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. "Why do they seem so close when they just met? That's stupid," he muttered. He wanted an excuse to approach them and pull her away from Lex, but he told himself it was immature to interfere. After a few minutes, an idea struck him. He will approach them both and giving a book to her, just to approach her and look at her. Nick walked toward them until Raine noticed him.
"Oh. What are you doing here, Nick?"
"Minding my business, but your laugh ruined the peace and quiet. Anyway, here's a book you might need, just in case." He set the book beside her laptop and walked away, acting nonchalant despite how awkward it felt to talk to her in that asshole's presence.
"Don't mind him," Lex said, pulling her attention back. "Let's talk about our dreams instead." Raine smiled, and they resumed their conversation, ignoring Nick's interruption.
Later that night, Raine was walking alone on the sidewalk. Walking at the shortcut nearby 7-Eleven store she visits. Her headphones were on, and she was listening to the Planet Her album to relax while she brainstormed ideas for her upcoming presentation. As she walked, she spotted Nick in a dark alleyway, leaning against a wall and smoking. The glow of his cigarette lit up the shadows as he stood there, busy messaging someone. Curiosity struck her; she wondered why he was hanging out in an alleyway acting like a "cool guy."
"Why do you always smoke? Isn't that bad for you?" Raine asked, walking toward him. Nick looked up.
"It's nothing. And what are you doing here? Stalking me?"
"What?! No, asshole. I was minding my own business and saw you acting like a main character in a movie. It's weird, bro," Raine said, crossing her arms and furrowing her eyebrows. Nick saw her annoyance and smirked.
"Oh, Stop calling me 'bro,' princess. And I'm not acting cool, maybe you just think I'm cool, don't you?"
"No. You're weird as fuck," she shot back, making Nick chuckle.
"Yeah, damn right I am." He exhaled a cloud of smoke, making Raine cough.
"Stop it. That's a bad habit. You should know better since you claim to be so smart," Raine said. Nick's smirk widened as he raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll stop." He threw the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under his shoe. "So... do you have anything worth bragging about for your group presentation?" Nick asked, his gaze drifting from her lips to her eyes.
"Yeah. And I know I'll get a higher grade than you—just to pay you back for your arrogance."
Nick chuckled at her competitive fire. "Maybe in your dreams."
"No way. My thoughts will become reality, not just dreams," she declared. Nick smiled.
"Is that a challenge? I'll take it."
"Yeah, it is. Hashtag: study more, bad grades no more!" She stuck her tongue out, winked at him, and walked away. Nick stayed behind, smirking at her spirit.
"Damn," he muttered. "She always annoying me."