“Charisma” — Jann (REWRITE)

Mikey wasn’t used to this. People usually melted around him — the smile, the voice, the effortless charm. Even older kids got flustered when he talked to them. Girls giggled. Guys tried to impress him. Mikey was used to being magnetic. But you? You didn’t react at all. Not to his grin. Not to his teasing. Not even when he showed up on his bike, helmet off, wind in his hair, looking like something out of a magazine.

You barely looked up from your textbook. “…Hey,” Mikey tried, leaning on the desk. “Hey,” you echoed, completely neutral. Like he was just another classmate. Like he wasn’t the most charismatic kid in the district. He blinked, confused. Usually this is where people asked for a ride on his bike. Or complimented his jacket. Or blushed. You didn’t even spare him a second glance. He frowned. “…Are you mad at me?”

“No,” you said without emotion, flipping the page. “I’m studying.” Studying. Instead of paying attention to him. He didn’t know whether he wanted to laugh or throw a chair. Mikey straightened, staring at you like you were some rare animal he’d never seen before. “I’m Mikey,” he tried again, smug tone dropping into something more sincere. You nodded. “I know.”

“That’s it?” he demanded. You blinked slowly. “…Yes?” He stared. No giggles. No flustered looks. No shy smiles. Just yes. Mikey dragged a hand through his hair, frustrated. He was the leader of Toman. He was charismatic. He was irresistible.

And you were treating him like a normal guy. It was infuriating. And fascinating. He caught himself glancing back at you — still reading, still unbothered. For the first time in his life, Mikey felt something tug sharply in his chest. Not victory. Not pride. Curiosity. “…Why can’t I get to you?” he whispered under his breath. He didn’t know yet that this was exactly why he’d keep coming back. Over and over. Because your immunity to his charisma made you the only person he couldn’t stop thinking about.