"About what you asked earlier... about love at first sight."
Hearing that, a sudden chill washed over Alex's body.
"Ah... um... it was just a statement. Why do you need to think about that?" Alex asked nervously.
"Have you ever experienced love at first sight?" Ken asked.
This is going to be hard, Alex thought.
"Never," Alex replied.
"But I did. When I met Noel for the first time. Sure, it was magical and felt like a fairytale," Ken said softly.
"Yup. Then I guess love at first sight really is magical," Alex replied as he slowly lay back down.
"But I don't think that's the only magical thing that can happen. Don't you agree?" Ken asked.
No reply came.
"Pst... you're asleep?" Ken asked.
"Today felt more magical than that. I wanted to say that."
Ken sighed.
It's probably for the best if he fell asleep.
With that thought, Ken soon drifted off too.
At the same time, Alex was still awake.
Damn, that was the most romantic thing I've ever heard. Did he mean that? No way. Even if he really intended to say it to me, what does that mean? Is that actually romantic? Damn it... I should've responded. Pst... what was I even supposed to say?
Somewhere in the middle of all those thoughts, Alex finally fell asleep.
As usual, Ken woke up first, got ready, and tried to wake Alex.
But Alex refused to wake up.
Finally, Ken shouted at him while spraying water on his face.
That was enough.
Alex immediately woke up.
Half asleep, he got ready.
When they were about to leave the dorm, Ken noticed the dark circles under Alex's eyes.
"Why do your eyes look like that?"
"I don't know."
"Didn't you sleep early?" Ken asked.
"I did. Then nature called, so I woke up. After that, I couldn't sleep. And when I finally fell asleep, you woke me up."
Alex lied smoothly.
"Oh man. What do we do now?" Ken asked.
"Let's just go."
Ken walked ahead.
After reaching class, both settled into their seats.
Throughout the lectures, Alex kept dozing off.
Ken covered for him several times and did his best to make sure the professors didn't notice.
After class, Ken didn't wake Alex.
Instead, he went out, ate lunch by himself, and came back.
Alex was still sleeping.
"You idiot. You should've stayed in the dorm," Ken muttered while looking at the sleeping Alex.
Almost an hour later, Alex finally woke up.
The first thing he saw was Ken sitting beside him.
"Did the professor leave?" Alex asked.
"Sure did. And all the students too," Ken replied.
Alex immediately grabbed his phone and checked the time.
"Weren't you sleeping for years?" Ken joked.
"Damn, man. Stop nagging. No wonder I'm starving. Look at the time. Let's go eat something."
Alex stood up.
"I already ate."
"Pst... then I'm going. I'm starving."
Alex left the classroom.
"Bro, wait up!"
Ken quickly followed him.
"Here."
Ken extended his hand.
Alex looked down.
It was a small chocolate bar.
"Why is this so small?" Alex asked dramatically.
"The canteen only had Snickers."
Ken handed it to him.
Alex immediately started opening it.
"Hey. Wash your face and hands before eating."
"Okay."
Alex went to the restroom.
As cold water hit his face, last night's conversation came back.
Was he serious? I spent the whole night thinking about that for nothing.
When he came back outside, Ken was nowhere to be seen.
His phone rang.
It was Ken.
"Come to the canteen."
"For what?"
"Nothing. Just come already."
"Fine."
Alex hung up.
If I had gone back to the dorm, I could've eaten my snacks. I'm so hungry.
He headed toward the canteen.
There, he found Ken sitting at a table.
Alex sat down.
"What now?" he asked.
"Aren't you hungry?"
"Yes, I am."
Ken got up, grabbed a tray of food, and placed it in front of Alex.
"Eat."
Alex blinked.
"How did you do that?"
"I knew you'd be hungry when you woke up, so I asked the canteen lady to save some food."
"That's actually nice of you."
Alex immediately started eating.
Within minutes, the plate was empty.
"Man, I'm so full. Thanks."
A cute smile appeared on Alex's face.
Ken, who had been drinking water, suddenly choked.
"Are you okay?"
Alex immediately patted his back.
"I'm fine. Let's go back to the dorm."
"Yup."
Back in their room, Alex changed first.
"Whoa. That feels refreshing."
He immediately jumped onto Ken's bed.
When Ken finished changing, Alex was already comfortable.
"You look energetic."
"Yup. And I want to do some high-energy activities."
"Like going for a walk like yesterday?" Ken teased.
"Enough. Go study already."
Then Alex suddenly paused.
"Wait. Teach me. I wasn't listening to the lecture, so teach me."
"Nah. I'm not teaching you."
"Why?"
"You always argue with me when I explain things."
"Hello, Mr. Ken Danish. It's called asking questions."
"Whatever. I'm not teaching you."
Ken sat at his desk.
"End of discussion."
Five minutes later—
"So when it's partial differentiation, you can do it like this. Otherwise, use the usual method."
Ken was teaching him.
"Ah... ah..."
Alex nodded.
"I think I get it now. I'm going to sleep."
He immediately wrapped himself in his blanket.
"Today is the first time I've seen you sit this quietly and patiently while I teach."
"Ah, okay."
Alex buried himself deeper in the blanket.
Man...
Since when did he look this good?
The eyes.
The hands.
The way his hair lazily covers part of his face.
That is such a wholesome view.
Before Alex realized it, he was smiling.
Was he this attractive before?
I don't think so.
He must have some crazy skincare routine.
But skincare doesn't make someone look this good...
"What the—"
Alex suddenly jumped out of bed.
Ken immediately rushed over.
"Are you okay? What happened?"
His eyes were full of concern.
"It was a mosquito."
"What?"
Ken stared at him in disbelief.
"The buzzing was unbearable."
Alex looked at Ken.
Three seconds.
Eye contact.
Another chill ran through his body.
"Today felt more magical than that."
Ken's words echoed in his head.
"Ken... I think I need to go for a run or something."
"You okay?"
"Yup. I just need some air. I'll be back."
Before Ken could say anything else, Alex grabbed his phone.
"And don't come with me. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Alex rushed out.
As fast as he could.
He ran all the way to the park.
Finally stopping, he bent over and caught his breath.
"What the heck was that?"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"Why am I thinking all this stuff?"
To Be Continued...