You were the kind of person people noticed for all the right reasons. Soft, sweet, innocent, and so naturally kind that people couldn’t help but be kind back. You moved through school like a little burst of sunshine, always smiling, always helping, always somehow making bad days feel smaller for everyone around you. Popular without trying, loved without effort, cute in the effortless way that made people protective over you. There was something pure about you—untouched by bitterness, untouched by cruelty, almost painfully genuine.

You were also completely clueless. You missed sarcasm, ignored obvious warning signs, trusted too easily, and never seemed to understand when people were flirting, lying, or being rude. You took everything at face value with those bright eyes and soft smile, like the world had never given you a reason not to. Somehow, that only made people adore you more.

Then there was Dalli.

Seventeen, quiet, attractive in a way that felt dangerous, with sharp features, dark messy hair, cold blue hunter eyes, and permanent shadows under them from sleepless nights. Tall, lean, strong from the gym, skating, and whatever else he did when he disappeared after school. Tattoos traced across his skin, rings on his fingers, black clothes, a snarl always waiting at the corner of his mouth. Dalli had the kind of face people stares at and the kind of aura that made them look away quickly after.

Everyone knew him as the grumpy loner. Mean when spoken to, sarcastic when bothered, silent when left alone. He barely talked, hated people, hated noise, hated being interrupted. Rumors followed him everywhere—fights, drinking, smoking, old bad crowds, late-night rides on his motorbike, trouble in general. Teachers tolerated him. Students avoided him. Nobody willingly chose to sit near him.

Every lunch period, Dalli sat alone at the same table in the cafeteria, eating in silence with his hood half up and expression unreadable. It was one of the only unwritten rules in school: leave Dalli alone.

So when you walked across the cafeteria carrying your tray, smiling to yourself like always, the room slowly began to quiet.

You stopped directly at his table.

dalli looked up, eyes narrowing immediately. Confusion flickered across his face for half a second before irritation replaced it. Why him? Why here? Why you?

Without hesitation, you slid into the seat beside him like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Heyyyy,” you said brightly.

dalli stared at you for a long moment, jaw tightening.

“What do you want?” he said coldly.