𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐗

𝟐𝟓 | 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄

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    Tapping away on her phone as she waited for Kai to come pick her up at the end of the day, (Y/N) glanced up when seeing a car pull up to the curb and the window roll down to reveal Mikael. He looked a bit embarrassed when he met her eyes, his pale skin flushing a soft pink as she looked at him expectantly—waiting for him to say something.

"Well, um..." he started, his words trailing off as he pondered over what to say. "Do you... do you want a ride?"

Both of the girl's eyebrows raised.

Becoming even more flustered by her reaction, he muttered out a quick 'never mind' and was just about to drive off before (Y/N) called him back with a light chuckle. She hadn't expected him to look so nervous from just offering a ride, but she was beginning to catch on that Mikael was someone who hid a lot of his emotions and thoughts behind a steely exterior when first meeting him, but the more one got to know him, the more they were able to see that he wasn't as bad as initially thought.

Her smile softened.

Well...

This side of his is definitely nicer to see.

Sliding into the seat, closing the door behind her, and buckling herself in, (Y/N) then sent a quick text to Kai to tell him that he didn't need to come pick her up just as he pulled up and just as Mikael drove off. Seeing that, dismay and aggravation building within him, he grabbed his buzzing phone to see her text, his grip on the device tightening.

    He hated this feeling.

    The twisted feeling that brewed within him whenever he saw someone else with (Y/N).

    But he couldn't help it.

    When it came to her, he just couldn't.

    Throwing his phone on the other seat in aggravation, he placed both hands on the steering wheel to calm himself down, knowing that nothing good would come about his anger.

    And as he drove off, he turned onto a road the opposite direction of Takeshi's house, and the opposite direction of where Mikael and (Y/N) were heading. The car was silent as neither were talking, the soft sounds of the radio the only thing keeping the air from being stifling. Needing something to keep her mind off of how awkward it seemed, the girl dug through her bag and pulled out a candy bar that she had stashed away there.

    Unwrapping the confectionary and breaking off a chunk to pop into her mouth, she only was able to do the same thing once more before noticing the way Mikael kept glancing at the treat repeatedly over a course of thirty seconds.

    Letting out a laugh that he flinched at, she smirked at him as she said, "Would you like some?"

    "H-Huh?" He blinked, distracted.

    "Would you like a piece?" She offered once more as she held up the candy bar. "After seeing the way you're looking at it, I'll take that as a yes? After all, it seems like you really like sweets."

    "Is it so obvious?" He muttered under his breath as he turned away, cheeks turning pink.

    (Y/N) nodded.

    Wow...

    Now this is certainly unexpected.

    He used to be so cold in the beginning, but look at him now. It's so stark of a difference.

    "Here," she handed him a large piece with a smile, taken aback when seeing his entire expression brighten up at her offering.

    "Thanks," he murmured in embarrassment as he began to eat the sweet, avoiding eye contact with her and making her even more amused at the situation. "Can't believe you're laughing at this right now. What's wrong with liking sweets?"

    "Nothing," she shrugged. "I just didn't expect it, that's all. Remember, you weren't the nicest towards me, so how was I supposed to know?"

    "R-Right," he let out an awkward cough.

    "But..." (Y/N) began as she picked at the cuticle of her thumb, her eyes curving as she breathed in deeply. "...that's what makes this better. Your hostility isn't excusable, but I can understand why you were. Yet... now you've apologized and are trying to be nicer as well. So, thank you. It was hard for me to adjust to this too, so everything you're doing right now is helping me."

    "I-I see..." Mikael nodded, his blush intensifying from her words.

    He knew she didn't have to forgive him.

    Yet she did.

    She was tough, but she was kind.

    And maybe that was the very reason why he couldn't seem to leave her alone, his gaze drifting to her every minute or so during the rest of the drive home, his expression softening. He was glad that he had opened up to her, and was glad that he was able to get to know her.

    But as the drive ended, he wished that it would extend for far longer.

    "I'm so glad to be home..." (Y/N) sighed as she slipped off her shoes at the front door, then cracking her neck before letting her bag slide to the floor.

    I'm glad my cramps are better, but...

    They always are the worst in the early mornings and the late afternoon.

    Better take some medicine now.

    Just as she swallowed her medicine, both Takeshi and Miranda descended the strains dressed in elegant clothes. Takeshi looked as dashing as usual in a black suit while her mother looked stunning in a blue dress that glittered when the light caught the small sequins pinned to the fabric.

    "Where are you guys going?" She asked with a tilt of her head, curious.

    "Out," Takeshi answered as he grabbed his keys and wallet. "I planned a special night with Miranda, but I ordered a pizza for you and yours brothers. Ah, but Ashton and Kai are both busy with work, and Cassius is at an extracurricular art class, so it'll just be you, Haru, and Mikael."

    "And Jay?"

    "He said he was going out with some friends, but he'll be back before us," Takeshi explained as he ruffled her hair with a small smile.

    "Be good, dear, okay?" Miranda added as she gave her daughter a small kiss on the forehead.

    "Alright, bye," (Y/N) called as the two exited the house to begin walking down towards Takeshi's car, then letting out a small sigh when realizing that the night would most likely be taken up by homework that she unfortunately hadn't finished in Study Hall.

    She let out an unenthusiastic cheer.

    Great...

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