✿⋆·˚❀˚·⋆✿ The Thread that bind Us ✿⋆·˚❀˚·⋆✿

Normal Talk

The bell rang, echoing loudly through the bustling corridors of school. Risa Anders stood at her locker, surrounded by a gaggle of her friends, but her mind was elsewhere. It lingered on Noah White—the boy who had rejected her. Her heart raced at the thought of that singular moment in front of the entire class, the way he had simply said, "No," as if it were the most mundane thing in the world.
"Risa, are you even listening?" Jess, her best friend, waved her hand in front of Risa's face, pulling her back to reality. Risa blinked, shaking her head. "What? Sorry, I was just—"
"Thinking about Noah?" Jess smirked, leaning against the locker with an amused glint in her eyes. 
"He's just so... infuriatingly cute. But I need to act normal around him."
"Normal? You?" Jess laughed, a melodious sound that drew the attention of nearby students. "Good luck with that!"
Risa took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I can do this. Just... be yourself. The jolly, flirtatious Risa." She glanced over her shoulder to where Noah was sitting alone, his nose buried in a book. The sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the sharp angles of his face. He was engrossed—completely oblivious to the chaos around him. "How hard can it be?" 

 *** 

The afternoon sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the school courtyard as Risa Anders leaned against the brick wall, tapping her foot impatiently. She watched the students filter out of the classrooms, but her eyes were locked on one figure: Noah White.
He walked slowly, head buried in a book, an unassuming shield against the world around him. "Hey, Noah!" Risa called, her voice bright and teasing. "You know, I've been thinking..."
He didn't look up, just turned a page as if she were nothing more than a passing breeze.
"Do you think it's possible for someone to fall in love with a book?" she pressed, walking closer, her hips swaying in a deliberately exaggerated manner. "Because I think I'm in love with you."
He finally glanced at her. "That's not how it works, Risa," he replied, voice steady, eyes returning to his book.
"Not even a little bit?" Risa persisted, feigning a pout. "I mean, I could be a great plot twist in your life story."
"More like a cliché," he muttered, sounding far more interested in his book than her antics. Risa rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Ouch! A cliché? You wound me, good sir!" She clutched her chest as if she'd been mortally injured, the other students around them chuckling at her antics. "But seriously, it's not every day you meet a girl who takes rejection like a champ."
"Most girls probably wouldn't be so persistent after a no," he shot back, a small smirk finally breaking through his irritation.
"Persistent? Me? Nah!" Risa spun on her heel, flipping her hair back with a flourish. "I'm just here to make you the most popular guy in school. Imagine the headlines: 'Noah White: The Boy Who Tamed Risa Anders!'"
"Risa, you do realize no one is interested in a headline about you, right?" He finally closed his book and turned to face her fully. "Not in a way that involves me."
She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, come on. You can't tell me you're not a little flattered. If I wanted, I could have any guy in this school at my feet—except you, of course, because you're a tough nut to crack!"
"No thanks," he said, shaking his head. "I'm not into the whole worship thing."
"But aren't you curious why I'm so interested in you?" Risa asked, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I mean, I've dated half the school, and you're the only one who's given me a 'no' without flinching. It's... intriguing."
"Maybe I'm just not into popularity contests," he replied, crossing his arms, a hint of challenge in his tone.
"Popularity? Please. I'm just trying to find someone who can handle my charm." Risa leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "And you, Noah, are the perfect challenge."
"Or maybe I'm just trying to study for finals," he said, stepping back, clearly uncomfortable. "Studying?" Risa feigned shock, placing her hands on her cheeks. "But where's the fun in that? Come on, let's ditch this place! I'll take you to the best ice cream shop in town. My treat!"
"Thanks, but I have plans," he said, turning away.
"Plans?" She called after him, her voice rising in disbelief. "What, you're going to read a book on how to avoid social interaction? Because that's a bestseller, right?" Noah didn't respond, his pace quickening as if trying to escape her grasp. Risa bit her lip, a new plan forming in her mind. If he wouldn't come to her, she would go to him.