Ciro P.O.V
Studying with Kenon wasn't the nightmare I thought it would be.
It was worse.
I found myself back in the library three times that week, and somehow, he was always early.
Which, of course, gave him the opportunity to act like he owned the place.
"You're late," he said, without looking up from his notebook.
"I'm exactly two minutes behind, calm down"
I slid into the seat across from him.
Even though we had not agree on a time it seems that one was made.
He casually replied "Two minutes can cost lives."
Already irritated from rushing to get here I replied "I swear if I wasn't trying to pass this course, I'd throw this book at your face."
He grinned wider at threatening him but I would actually do it.
We studied for a bit. Quiet. Almost peaceful. I could pretend we were just two normal students trying to survive midterms.
Until, of course, Kenon being Kenon, decided to ruin that.
He reached over and tapped my notebook. "You did that formula wrong."
"I did not."
"You did."
I glared at him.
The tension spiked for a second just long enough for me to forget we were still in public.
I pulled back, cheeks slightly warm. "Whatever"
He was right but I would never admit that.
—
A week had passed by and it was productive. I somehow felt comfortable around Kenon without feeling a prickling sensation.
It was the first week and a dreadful Monday and that also meant we were going to Physiology in traits.
I quickly sat down. I reached almost 20 minutes early. I can spend that time doing other things so I wasn't going to be bored.A few minutes passed by and I picked up on the now familiar scent.
I didn't feel agitated like I used to so I take that as a sign it was good we spend time together in the library.
I looked at the culprit as he strolled in class.
The professor finally arrived in class. "We will discuss the task after class but we will first address the lecture."
The lecture was about pheromone familiarity.
"The reason why I suggest you guys spend time together.Phermones familiarity is all due to your perception of the pheromones.If you dislike or like the person it would show when your around the other alpha or omega.Feeling and emotions often influenced this because everything is due to your perception on everything.That why I tell students always think and feel positive about the other person"
The lecture went on for another before it finally came to an end.
"Okay we can finally discuss the task for this week. Everyone should have a journal individual to record the nine weeks. Which should have 3 or more entries in them.Obviously we are not taking only your word for it. Pictures, receipts etc can be attached to the entry."
"So your first task of the week is to do any activities together and show pictures"
"And then next week I will look through each and everyone of your journals and give you guys feedback."
I stared blankly at the professor like he just asked us to do couples therapy.
Activities? Pictures? Receipts? Was this a class or a reality show?
Kenon leaned closer. "Guess that means we're going on a date."
I blinked. "It's not a date."
He smirked. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Ciro."
Meanwhile, I was already mentally spiraling.
What were we even supposed to do? Bowling? Cafe hopping? Jump off a cliff?
The bell rang and I stood, ready to disappear.
But, of course, Kenon had other plans.
"Library again today?" he asked, slinging his bag over one shoulder.
I shrugged. "Maybe. Depends if you're going to be annoying."
He grinned. "So that's a yes."
We ended up at a cafe instead.
He claimed it was for "better vibes" and that "coffee boosts productivity."
I said nothing. Mostly because the place smelled good and I already ordered a croissant.
Kenon snapped a photo while I was mid-bite.
"Seriously?" I said, mouth full.
"Documentation," he said smugly. "For the journal. You look cute." he said, showing me.
I looked like a horse munching on an apple.
I nearly choked.
"Delete it."
"Not a chance."
I didn't say anything. My heart was beating a little too fast to form proper words anyway.
I took a slow sip of my drink, hoping the heat would cover the fact that my ears were definitely turning red.
Kenon scrolled through the photos he'd taken—mostly me, mid-expression, annoyed, or distracted.
"You're really documenting this, huh?" I asked.
"Of course. I'm not failing this course because you hate smiling for a camera."
I narrowed my eyes. "First of all, I don't hate smiling."
He raised a brow. "Okay, smile right now."
"No."
"Exactly."
I kicked his leg under the table, not hard of course . Just enough to make him flinch and mutter something under his breath."Well you smile then" I said, pulling out my phone and taking a picture.
Snap.
Of course I catch him off guard.
But when I looked at it he still looked handsome
Sighing
But that didn't stop me from teasing him.
I showed him with a smile plastered on my face "So beautiful is in it "
"Yes,I still looked better than you" He replied
I threw a sugar packet at him. "Shut up."
"Wait I need your number"
I never thought I see the day where I would ask Kenon for his number. He didn't put a front and gave me his number.
After the cafe, we ended up at a quiet park near campus.
There wasn't much to do besides walk around and pretend like we weren't awkwardly fulfilling an assignment that sounded more like a bonding experiment than an academic task.
Kenon took another picture and this time, it was both of us, backs to the camera, looking out at the fountain.
It was weirdly... nice. Not as suffocating as before.
No heavy tension. No sparks flying just from standing too close.
Just him. Me. A park. And a journal entry waiting to be written.