Semua Bab Boys Like Him: Bab 11 - Bab 20

I was running late, fumbling with my bag straps and trying not to trip over the pile of textbooks spilling out of the bottom. The sun had barely climbed high enough to warm the sidewalk, and the air carried that sharp, damp-grass bite mixed with distant coffee. My sneakers scuffed against the threshold as I stepped toward the door, mind already in full "school mode" what classes I had, what assignments I needed, how I'd explain to Mariah why I was late again.I threw open the door and nearly stepped on a box neatly wrapped in red ribbon, sitting right in front of the door. The faint scent hit me first, sweet and buttery, pulling me up short as if someone had yanked the floor out from under me. Beside the box was a folded note, perfectly creased, leaning against the box. My fingers trembled slightly as I picked it up, careful not to tear the paper.Nyelle, it began, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have...My pulse skipped, heat pooling low in my belly. I could hear his voice in each sentence,

By the time he returned, the court felt enormous and empty, the echo of bouncing balls and shouts was gone, leaving just the faint scent of sweat and polished wood. I was the only one left, perched on the edge of the bleacher.Then he appeared, jogging lightly across the court, damp hair plastered to his forehead, tank clinging to his sculpted frame. My stomach did an immediate flip, a little drop like the first time you realize you're standing at the edge of something thrilling and terrifying."Hey," "Hey," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.He sat beside me, close enough that I could smell the faint cologne and soap. My pulse sped again."So," he began, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips, "you came?"I laughed, surprised at how easy it came. "I did," I admitted. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor a second before looking up. "Nyelle... about the kiss."My stomach flipped."I fucked up," he admitted quietly. "I took something I had no right to take

The rest of the afternoon crawled and spiraled all at once. I tried! God, I tried to hold onto Mariah's words like a lifeline, but the moment we stepped out of Bean & Brew and headed back toward campus, reality slapped me straight across the face.Whispers.Not subtle ones either.People turned, stared, and nudged their friends. Phone screens angled in my direction. The air around me prickled with attention I absolutely did not ask for. My heart hammered against my ribs."Is that her?""No way. That's the girl from the court video, right?""Bro! she stood up and screamed like she was giving birth.""I saw it on TikTok. It's at four million likes already."I felt the blood drain straight from my skull. My knees wobbled. I shot Mariah a look of pure horror, and she, because she was evil, bit her lower lip, trying not to laugh."Don't you dare," I hissed, swatting at her.She failed miserably. "I'm sorry, but you were so into it you didn't even see your life flashing before your eyes.""

Ding-dong.The doorbell stabbed straight through my skull. A sharp briiing that sliced into the last thread of sleep I'd been clinging to. I buried my face deeper into the pillow and dragged it over my ears as if cotton could fight sound waves.Ding-dong."No... no, no, stop," I mumbled into the mattress.Ding-dong.I let out a strangled moan, dramatic enough to win an award. Every muscle in my body throbbed with the ache of too little sleep, my eardrums buzzed, my tongue felt like cardboard, and even my eyelashes seemed heavy. I blinked crustily at the weak morning light seeping through my curtains. I was pretty sure my soul had left my body around 3:30 AM and still hadn't returned.The bell rang again."I hate everything," I muttered into the pillow and rolled off the bed in one tragic, graceless slide.My feet hit the floor like cold slabs of reality.I shuffled forward like a malfunctioning robot, hair sticking out in odd angles, blanket trailing behind me until it slipped off som

I was still processing Mariah's latest conspiracy theory about Lloyd's "obvious" crush when the heavy oak door of the library creaked open, letting in a faint draft that carried the distant scent of rain-soaked pavement from outside.I felt him before I saw him. The hushed murmurs of studying students seemed to fade, the fluorescent lights overhead buzzing a little softer, as if the entire space had paused to take notice.Lloyd stepped through the threshold, his broad shoulders filling the doorway for a moment before he scanned the rows of cluttered tables with those sharp, focused eyes. Then he spotted us, or me, and strode straight over, his sneakers scuffing lightly against the worn carpet.Beads of sweat glistened at his temples, catching the light. His dark hair was tousled, strands falling messily over his forehead like he'd raked his hands through it one too many times. His chest rose and fell a little quicker than usual, breaths coming in shallow pulls, as if he'd jogged acros