Stole My Heart 💕

2 - Lovely Encounter

The freshman year had begun in the most ordinary way possible, peaceful and uneventful. But that tranquility didn't last long—thanks to one person: Nick. Hanna's cousin. Their senior. A walking storm who had a talent for disrupting the calm without even trying.

Nick had an inexplicable aura, a magnetic presence that made heads turn wherever he went. He was tall, with a chiseled jawline and striking, piercing eyes that seemed to hold secrets no one could decipher. His dark hair always fell in an effortlessly tousled manner, and no matter what he wore—be it his usual leather jacket or a simple white shirt—he looked like he had stepped out of a high-fashion magazine. But it wasn't just his looks that made girls swoon. It was the dangerous charm that surrounded him, the way he carried himself with an air of quiet dominance. He never sought attention, yet it followed him relentlessly. Some admired him, some feared him, and some—well, some, like Candice, intrigued him in a way he couldn't quite explain.

Nick wasn't the typical, charming senior who basked in attention. If there was one law he lived by, it was: "To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." And he took that principle to heart. Once, when a girl persistently followed him around despite his blatant disinterest, he retaliated by splattering her self-made cake onto her face. Unapologetic. Blunt. Impossible to ignore.

The one place where he could reliably be found was the library. Not because he was an avid reader, but because he loved silence. Absolute, undisturbed silence. He'd sit in his corner, surrounded by books he barely touched, casting death stares at anyone who dared disrupt his solitude. It was a mystery what went on inside his head.

Then there was Candice—Hanna's best friend. Sweet, cheerful, and utterly incapable of staying quiet for more than two minutes. Her world was full of sunshine and laughter, the complete opposite of Nick's brooding silence. His glare wouldn't spare her, but no one could have anticipated how their paths would cross in the most unexpected way.

It all started on an evening that seemed ordinary enough. Hanna's parents had asked Nick to pick her up from college because there was a family gathering to attend. That day, Hanna and Candice had planned to go shopping after class, but the sudden change of plans forced them to cancel. Feeling guilty for leaving Candice stranded, Hanna insisted on dropping her home first.

"Let me drop you home first," Hanna said firmly, unwilling to take no for an answer.

Candice shook her head, her brown curls bouncing as she protested. "Hanna, it's fine. I'll catch a taxi.. You'll be late for the party."

"No way! It's my fault you missed the bus, and I'm not leaving you alone. Come on," she said, grabbing Candice's arm and practically dragging her to the parking lot.

Nick was already there, leaning against his sleek black car, arms crossed over his chest, exuding an air of nonchalance. His sharp eyes flicked towards them, narrowing slightly when they landed on Candice. It was as if his silent question was screaming: "Why is she coming?"

Hanna quickly explained the situation. "She missed the college bus because of me. I'm dropping her home first."

Nick's gaze didn't waver, but to everyone's surprise, he simply shrugged. "Fine. Get in."

Candice and Hanna exchanged a glance before climbing into the car. The moment they settled in, the silence made it clear that it wouldn't last—not with Candice around.

The car ride was an undeniable clash of worlds. Candice, ever the lively chatterbox, launched into an animated story about her vacation. Her voice filled the air, warm and exuberant, unbothered by the heavy silence that Nick usually wrapped himself in like armor.

"...And then I got completely lost on this hiking trail! You wouldn't believe it. There I was, in the middle of nowhere, when this adorable stray dog showed up. I named him Rocky, and he led me back to the main road!" she said, laughing, completely oblivious to the darkening expression on Nick's face.

Hanna sneaked a glance at him. His grip on the steering wheel had tightened, his jaw was clenched, and a storm brewed in his eyes with each passing second.

"Candy..." Hanna whispered, nudging her gently in warning.

Candice turned, looking genuinely confused. "What?"

Nick's voice cut through the air like ice. "Are you always this talkative?" His tone was sharp, but controlled.

Candice didn't even flinch. Instead, she flashed him a dazzling smile. "Always. You should try it sometime; it's fun."

Hanna held her breath, expecting Nick's scathing response, but to her utter surprise, he said nothing. Instead, he focused on the road, his expression unreadable.

When they reached Candice's house, she hopped out and waved enthusiastically. "Thanks for the ride! Bye, Hanna. Bye, Nick!"

The moment the door shut, Nick exploded. "Who the hell is she?" he demanded, his voice laced with exasperation.

"She's my friend," Hanna said, fighting back a smile.

Nick let out a dry laugh. "Friend? She's... exhausting."

But there was something more. A flicker of curiosity in his eyes, an intrigue he wasn't used to feeling. He didn't say another word, but as he drove away, it was clear this wouldn't be the last time Candice and Nick's paths would cross.

Later that night, as Nick lay in bed, trying to chase away the remnants of the day, his mind kept circling back to Candice. Her voice, her laughter, her maddening energy—it refused to leave his thoughts.

Her lively eyes, full of mischief and warmth, flashed in his mind. The way she had spoken to him—without hesitation, without nerves—was unlike anything he had encountered before. Most people either avoided him or tried too hard to impress him. But she? She didn't care. And that was both refreshing and infuriating.

Her beauty was a different kind—effortless, unpolished, yet captivating. She wasn't the kind of girl who dressed to impress, but her natural charm was undeniable. Her expressive eyes held an intensity that rivaled his own, filled with life and curiosity. Her curls framed her face with wild elegance, bouncing with every movement, mirroring her endless energy. She was the kind of person who left an imprint—not just by presence but by existence.

For the first time in years, Nick found himself wondering about someone. Who was she when she wasn't talking? What went on in that lively, spirited mind of hers? What would it be like to know her better—to understand what made her so unapologetically herself?

As much as he tried to push those thoughts away, they clung to him. And for the first time in a long time, Nick wasn't so sure he wanted them to disappear.