Love Bytes

Chapter 3: The Prey

As the silence in the club room lingered, Sol's piercing gaze never wavered from me. His cold and arrogant demeanor seemed to intensify, making me feel even more nervous. But I was determined to face the challenge and prove myself worthy of being a part of the coding club, even if I had no prior coding knowledge. 

I scanned his appearance, trying not to be intimidated by his tall and lean figure, his blond hair that was shaggy and messy, giving him a wild and rebellious vibe, his glasses that only added to his aloof and distant look, and his olive eyes that were cold and piercing, but also indifferent and bored. He had a thin mouth that was often twisted into a sneer, a dimple that showed on his right cheek, and a backpack on his back. He wore a hoodie, jeans, and converse, giving him a casual and careless look. He looked like someone who didn't care about anyone or anything. A classic KNOW-IT-ALL.

"Sure, let's start the interview," I replied with as much confidence as I could muster. While my initial crush on Lucas was undeniable, there was something intriguing about Sol that made me curious. Little did I know that this encounter would set in motion a series of mind-bending events.

Sol's lips curved into a smirk, amusement dancing in his olive eyes. "Alright then, Ms. Brown," he said, leaning back against a table. "Tell me, why did you decide to join the coding club when you have no prior coding knowledge?"

My cheeks flushed, and I tried to come up with a convincing answer. "Well, I've always been fascinated by the world of technology, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn something new," I replied, my voice laced with a hint of sarcasm, preparing myself for his comeback.

"Really? Fascinated, you say?" Sol raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

"Oh, absolutely," I continued, playing along with his sarcastic tone. "I dream of coding lines of poetry and creating algorithms that dance like ballet."

Sol's smirk grew wider. "Coding as a ballet performance? That's a new one. Bravo, Ms. Brown, bravo," he said, feigning applause.

"I try," I replied, joining in on the sarcasm. "But seriously, I want to challenge myself and expand my horizons."

"And besides, Lucas seemed really passionate about it," I continued, hoping to divert his attention, "and I wanted to be a part of something he cares about."

"Ah, so it's because of Lucas," Sol let out a sarcastic chuckle, as if he already knew it.

"Smart observation," I retorted, meeting his smirk with one of my own. "But hey, at least I'm honest about it."

As I continued to answer Sol's questions during the 'interview' , his sarcastic demeanor persisted, and I could sense that he was already aware of my true reasons for joining. His olive eyes sparkled mischievously as he probed further, making it increasingly difficult for me to maintain my composed facade.

"You seem quite determined, Ms. Brown," Sol remarked, a teasing edge to his voice. "But joining a coding club just because of a crush? Doesn't really do anyone good."

"Well, I must say, your concern for everyone's well-being is truly touching," I replied, adding a touch of sarcasm. "But I think I'll manage just fine."

I don't know what came over me, but this guy just pushes my buttons. It's like he has this uncanny ability to get under my skin and make me react in ways I never thought I would.

Before Sol could reply, the club room's door creaked open, and Lucas entered again. "What's going on here, guys?" he asked, looking curious about the exchange.

Sol's mischievous smirk returned as he glanced at Lucas. "Oh, just briefing her about how the club works " he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, catching onto Sol's playful tone. "Really? I hope it's not too overwhelming for our new recruit," he said, glancing at me with a grin.

"Oh, not at all," I chimed in, deciding to play along. "It's been a walk in the park."

Sol snorted, unable to hide his amusement. "More like a rollercoaster ride," he muttered under his breath.

Lucas chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter between us. "Well, I have an idea. Since Sol here is such a genius and you're a such an enthusiast, why don't you two work together until the seniors arrive?" he suggested.

My eyes widened in surprise, and I turned to look at Sol, who had a mix of disbelief and irritation written all over his face. "You have got to be kidding me," he muttered, not bothering to hide his reluctance.

"Oh, come on, Sol. It'll be fun," Lucas insisted, nudging him playfully.

"Fun? More like a test of patience," Sol grumbled, but I could see a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Why don't you do it?" he jibed, trying to redirect the responsibility.

Lucas's face darkened, and before he could say anything, Sol tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Fine, I'll do it."

Something must have been going on with him.

"Alright then, you two can use that corner table over there," Lucas said as if nothing happened at all, pointing to a table at the far end of the room. "I'll leave you to it. Have fun!"

As Lucas left us to our devices, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Sol and I, the odd duo, sat at the designated table, surrounded by laptops and coding manuals.

"Alright, Ms. Brown, let's see what you've got," Sol said, his teasing tone now replaced with a hint of seriousness.

I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. "I'm ready," I replied, determined now. I don't know about the whole coding thing, but I really wanted to show this guy who he's dealing with.