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05 | dazed & confused

05. DAZED AND CONFUSED

— JAY'S POV

A week had passed since the party incident, specifically the night where Jay shared his wild first kiss with Anais Kim. Or must he mention that it was a 5-minute tongue-battling hair- pulling makeout session? What on Earth just happened when all he expected from the party was a sight of Anais and Heeseung's making out but things just turned another way around? Before the kiss, Jay was certain that he merely adores her from afar, not to the point he'd snatch her away from Heeseung, but now he began to ponder the moment from that night with Anais. It feels as though his heart craves to be under her touch again, but Jay doesn't want to be perplexed between love and lust.

Though Jay seems to be stucked in the same room as Anais for Sociology, the air around him suffocates a little bit too much today for meeting eyes with the girl he shared his first kiss with but to his dismay, Anais simply looks away nonchalantly before sitting in her usual seat. Did he expect too much? Did he expect for her to be all friendly and act like they have known each others in years? Of course not. While Heeseung is seen to be sitting next to her today, not acting like his usual self where he'd be touching her here and there. Instead he just was there sitting quietly. Atleast the whole situation in the class clears the air of Jay's instinct— Anais doesn't seem to care about him at all, let alone remembering about what happened between them.

The lecture feels even quicker today as his mind was clouded with so many thoughts and problems he shouldn't be worried about. As soon as Jay steps out of the lecture hall with a heavy heart, he immediately pulls out earbud case out of his jeans pocket and presses the buds into his ears. Mid way through the hallway, a light finger tap meets his broad shoulder as he slightly turns his head. "J-Jay. I was calling for you but you didn't hear me" The familiar of the voice tone makes him turn to her fully. It was Anais, a sweet smile of hers appear brightly against her face. "Can I talk to you in a sec?".

Nodding his head slow, Jay got pulled away out of the hallway to somewhere quieter where no one else could see or hear them. Jay was expecting for Anais to talk to him about that night— the shared kiss, lacing lips, attached bodies. He eagers to know about her real feelings of him after that whole memorable incident. Memorable, atleast to him. But words that leaves out of Anais is something that he didn't expect at all, "I wanna repay you your kindness for saving me the other time. You know, the whole incident at the cafe?" Anais exclaims. It clicks to his mind about the sexual harrassment incident last week.

"—Oh that.. You don't have to repay me anything, Anais. After all, I am your classmate who happened to be there, no one deserves to be harrassed" Jay states truthfully before heaving a deep sigh. But the girl insists on showing him some appreciation to thank him, "No please. I just wanna thank you. So can you atleast accept a cup of coffee? It's all on me" She suggests while giving him the expression that almost looks like she was pleading. Failed to control his face and gentleman side, a small smile escapes through his teeth. "Well sure. Coffee it is".

Anais jumps slightly while pointing out, "That's great! Then are you free today? I-I mean it's up to you, if you aren't free today, you can come on another—" Anais was cut.

"Today it is. I am free today" Jay quickly states as he licks his lower lips nervously, trying not to showcase his excitement through that lip-biting.

"So, should we meet later? I'll be at my cafe anyway. My shift starts at 5 p.m." Anais states while exchanging glances at him with the gaze that Jay would fall for in the thousandth time. "Sure thing! I will see you later then. I'm looking forward to that. . ." He says before bidding her goodbye for the next class.

𖦹彡

The cafe doesn't usually get packed during this hour so Anais takes her time to serve Jay a cup of hot Cappuccino. While waiting for Anais to be done making him a drink, Jay takes out his phone to scroll through his social media— where these days, not much interesting things happening around him. Watching Anais walks over to his table with the coffee, he quickly mutters a thank you. "This is tasty" Jay compliments as soon as he takes a sip. Anais puts her palm over her chest before exclaiming, "I am glad that you like it".

"So, Jay. I may know you merely as a classmate but can I know more about you?" Anais abruptly asks before adjusting her seat right before him. This way, he could watch Anais closer than ever. Jay smiles sheepishly as he explains, "Uh— where should I start, huh? Maybe the part of I still live with my parents?" He states, raising his brow.

"That's such an interesting way to say you are your parents' boy" Anais giggles it off, slapping the air around them as she immediately apologises. "I'm just kidding though. So you have any sibling? Any sister at all? Any brother?" Anais questions.

Jay laughs along with her before shaking his head slow, "Nah. Only me alone. They said one is enough for busy adults like them. Both of them are driven by their careers" He says coolly before taking another sip of the Cappuccino. Despite being the only child of those busy parents, Jay is grateful enough that his parents never neglected the responsibility of being good parents by showering him love and support. "What about you? Do you have any siblings?" He asks.

"Yeah, I have one. A brother from another father. He's below me. He's currently a trainee under this one entertainment company. . ." Anais says before placing her hands on the table— there is a look of hesitancy against her face but she laces it with a warm smile. "–also he's annoying" Anais continues.

"Pretty sure he's also a talented boy. I hope he gets to debut very soon" Jay states while giving her his assurance expression. For some people, talking about family's background can be quite uncomfortable and to avoid the intended to hurt someone's feelings, Jay changes the topic of the subject. "So our midterm is coming soon, right?" Jay asks.

"You don't have to mention it" Anais laughs it off goofily before exclaiming, "I haven't even started studying or do any revision of it yet. I'll fuck it up for sure" She shakes her head in disbelief.

"Hey relax, you have one week left to study. You still have time though, right?" Jay reassures her again. He's not that great with comforting people he just knew, but this is the best he could do. "if you're having trouble with the test then, I can help lending you my notes" Jay offers but at the same time he doesn't want to expect anything in return. He's sincerely wants to help her.

"I appreciate your offer, Jay. But if it isn't too much to ask, can we have a revision together?" Anais suggests while looking up to him. He couldn't believe with what he just heard. It totally blows him away by her question as he turns to her with a blank stare. . .

THE END OF CHAPTER