Our different worlds

Lowkey suspicious

I left the hideout with a stack of books in my arms, wandering through the garden when I caught sight of a familiar face. There, in a university sweater, was a guy who, strangely enough, was tearing bread into pieces and helping an elderly lady feed the pigeons. His unmistakable golden hair gave him away instantly, and I couldn't help but smirk as I approached.

"Community service, Beaumont?" I teased, crossing my arms as I raised an eyebrow. "Since when are you this... nice?"

He looked over and rolled his eyes, clearly unbothered. "Can't a guy just help out?" He paused, watching my expression with a hint of amusement. "And here I thought we'd moved past this whole 'enemies' thing."

I shrugged. "I thought about it again, and honestly? I don't see us as friends."

He nodded, still holding my gaze with that unreadable expression of his, waiting for me to continue.

"We're better off as enemies," I said, grinning, fully expecting him to push back.

But he just smirked, looking down at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Enemies it is, then."

Just as I turned to walk away, he called after me, "So where are you off to?"

"Good question," I admitted with a laugh. "I'm done studying, but... I'm not exactly ready to go back."

"Trust me, Pierce," he said, his grin widening. "I've got a place in mind."

"Oh, I definitely don't trust you," I shot back, but my curiosity got the better of me, and before I knew it, I found myself following him.

He led me to a cozy little book café nearby, the kind of place tucked away just enough to feel like a secret. The café was perfect-shelves of books lined every wall, and there were quiet little nooks for reading or getting lost in thought. We both picked out some comics, but soon enough, we were leaning in close, sharing mine because the one he chose was, quite frankly, terrible.

As we settled into our corner, I held up my comic and smirked at Alex. "Are you sure you don't want to switch? I mean, yours looks painfully boring."

He tilted his head, eyeing the one I'd picked. "You think you're doing any better, Pierce? I've got taste."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I saw you grab that history-of-stamps book first."

He gave me a wounded look, which only made me laugh harder. "Clearly, you underestimate me," he replied, leaning back and crossing his arms in mock offense.

"Oh, I don't underestimate you, Beaumont," I shot back, flipping a page dramatically. "I just know you're the type who probably finds tax codes riveting."

"Very funny." He moved closer, peering over my shoulder. "Let's see this 'masterpiece' of yours, then."

I held it up with a grin, and he squinted at the colorful panel. "Okay, I'll admit-that's actually pretty funny." He laughed, and for a second, we were both caught in a fit of giggles that made a few people glance over at us. He leaned closer, pointing to a ridiculous scene. "Now that is something I'd pay to see you do."

I elbowed him. "Watch it. You couldn't handle my comic book skills."

"Oh, please. I could totally keep up with you in the comic world," he teased, nudging me back.

"Is that so?" I challenged, narrowing my eyes. "You couldn't handle the chaos for two seconds."

"Try me, Pierce," he said, with that cocky smirk that was almost infuriatingly charming.

"You know, this whole 'trying to be cool and mysterious' thing really doesn't suit you," I teased.

"'Cool and mysterious'? I think you're projecting," he replied with a grin. "Or maybe... it's your 'enemy' bias kicking in?"