ALPHA UNIVERSE #6: CRAVING YOU

CHAPTER 8

Danielle thought they would just eat out, talk about their ideal types, and then Mark would drive her back to the dorms. That was the plan, right?

But it turned out both of them wanted the little hangout to last longer. Mark had casually asked if she had any plans for the rest of the day, and when Danielle said she didn't, he immediately suggested a small road trip.

Their first stop was for takeout, grabbing extra snacks to munch on during the drive. When Mark noticed her eyes lingering on an ice cream shop, he pulled into the parking lot without a second thought. They sat outside on a bench, enjoying their treats, the late afternoon sun casting a golden hue over everything.

Danielle couldn't deny it—she was having fun. Mark was nice to be around, completely different from the cold, intimidating, stone-faced council president that students whispered about in hushed voices. Here, outside of school, he was relaxed, playful even.

And let's be honest, he was totally spoiling her.

Mark had paid for lunch and their takeout, and if she hadn't insisted on covering the ice cream, he would have paid for that too. She huffed at the thought. If she weren't careful, she'd have to start calling him her sugar daddy.

"I have a serious question." Danielle spoke up suddenly, making Mark glance at her curiously. "Do you have another soul living in your body?"

Mark blinked. "What?"

She sipped on her Coke float, squinting at him. "Are you this funny inside your house too?"

He chuckled, setting his drink down. "And what do you mean by that?"

"Well, you're surely aware of what the students think of you. We've been classmates for four years now, and everyone sees you as this scary, untouchable figure."

"Mhm. And?"

Danielle paused, tapping her nails against the cup. "You're different today."

"You mean I look scary at school?"

"Well... a little."

Mark let out a deep laugh, shaking his head as he took a sip of his drink. "That's not my problem; they're the ones too scared to approach me."

"Maybe you're not as approachable as you think you are."

Mark arched a brow. "And what do I look like?"

Danielle hesitated, thinking. "Mostly they said—"

"No." He cut her off gently, his gaze steady. "I mean, for you, Elle. What do I look like to you?"

Her fingers fumbled slightly around her cup. She hadn't expected the question to be directed at her like that. "Well... maybe being close to Giselle and seeing you for years now helps, but I honestly don't think you're that intimidating. It's just a matter of perspective and how you approach people."

Mark bit his lower lip, suppressing a smile. "Well, I hope that perspective won't change."

"That depends."

"On what?"

"On how you approach me."

Mark tilted his head. "And how do you want me to approach you?"

Danielle smirked. "I don't know... or maybe I'm just used to the way you act in public, so it doesn't affect me anymore. Just be yourself, I guess?"