✿ *•.¸𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋*•.¸✿ // Alhaitham x (FEM)Reader

✿|I{• 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 •}I|✿

"I assume you didn't expect this from an....arrogant, snobbish prick?" he asked, crossing his arms as a slight smirk formed on his face.

You dropped the papers as you froze on the spot.

'So he DID remember what I said yesterday....'

You internally grimaced, slowly lowering your gaze as you prayed for the floor to swallow you for the second time that morning.

Welp. This was awkward.

You couldn't help but feel plagued by guilt as you fidgeted with your sleeve. "I...am so sorry about that. It was extremely immature of me," you apologized, feeling horrible.

"You'll be paying for my meals next month, we can call it even," he said, standing up.

You wanted to kick your past self for making such a dumb bet. "Yes, of course..." you managed to utter through a tight-lipped smile.

"Those 10 problems should be done by tomorrow," he said, nodding at the textbooks. "You are dismissed for today,"

.

.

.

You let out a heavy sigh as you tried to drown out the contagious laughter of the children playing on the streets, without a care in the world. You looked at them fondly, a smile forming on your face without you realizing it.

A strong wave of nostalgia hit you as you saw them running around - not a single ounce of worry on their faces. It brought you back to your childhood days at Liyue Harbor. The gorgeous floating lanterns, and the delicious aromas of stew wafting out of the lively food stalls. Homesickness hit you like a truck and you decided to make a quick detour on your way home to get something to cheer you up.

.

.

.

"Ah, welcome back miss!"

The waiter from yesterday greeted you with a smile as you entered the Puspa cafe.

"What can I get for you today?" he asked, taking out his notepad to record your order.

"I'll have the same as yesterday," you said. "One Padisarah pudding....and I'll be paying for it this time," you sheepishly smiled, pulling out your wallet.

"It'll be ready in five minutes," he assured you before walking off to the busy kitchen.

You put your head down on the table and silently groaned. If that pudding couldn't cheer you up, you weren't sure what would.

You slowly recalled the events of earlier in your head with the feelings of embarrassment still lingering.

"I just have to do those ten problems and hopefully I can get at least two hours of sleep tonight..." you thought, before a heavy feeling of existential dread settled in your heart as you realized you left your textbook at the Akademiya. You cursed, mentally slapping yourself for making such a stupid mistake.

You quickly got up and rushed out of the cafe. 'I guess the pudding will have to wait,' you murmured to yourself as you rushed through the streets of Sumeru. You had to get to the Akademiya before they closed or else......

You shuddered at the thought of what Alhaitham would say if you gave him such a silly excuse tomorrow.

You made it just in time to see the guards locking the gates.

"WAIT!" you yelled, sprinting over to him. Your lungs felt like they were going to burst.

The guard gave you a confused look as you stopped in front of him and placed your hands on your knees, catching your breath.