Alex had entered.

I was too shocked for words. My body stiffened, and my mind raced to make sense of what just happened.

When I finally regained my calmness, I pushed him away, my voice shaking with outrage.

"What is the meaning of this nonsense? Are you crazy? Is something wrong with your head?"

Alex took a step back, rubbing his arm where I'd shoved him. "It's just a forehead peck, why are you—"

I jabbed a finger at him before he could finish. "You're a pervert! 'Just a forehead peck,' you say? Nonsense!"

He folded his arms across his chest, his brows creased. "Enny mustn't hear about this."

The audacity!

I scoffed, narrowing my eyes. "Oh? So that you can go around kissing more people?"

His expression changed instantly. "No, please, I really love Enny. Please don't tell her, I'll do anything you want. I beg you in God's name, Jumoke."

I folded my arms, tapping my foot against the tiled floor. "She must not know, abi? So why did you do it in the first place, ehn? Tell me, why?"

I hissed and stormed out, leaving him standing there looking like a guilty child caught stealing meat from the pot.

.......
The ENT Hall was already bustling with students by the time I walked in. The lecture hall had that usual scent—a mixture of old wooden desks, perfumed bodies, and the faint smell of meat pie from the canteen nearby. Students were scattered in small groups—some flipping through textbooks, others chatting loudly about the latest campus gossip.

A few people had already settled in their seats, their attention divided between their notes and the lecturer's scribbled formulas on the whiteboard.

My eyes scanned the hall, searching for him.

And then I found him.

Alex sat at the back row, his head slightly bent as he jotted something down. His fingers gripped the pen loosely, moving in smooth, effortless strokes. Even in such a simple action, he still looked like someone straight out of a movie scene.

I walked straight up to him and sat on the seat facing him.

"Good morning," I muttered.

"Yeah, morning." His reply was flat, and he didn't even glance up.

I cleared my throat. "We'll use a little time here, so you can go back to your—"

"He's not my boyfriend!" My voice came out sharper than I intended.

Alex finally lifted his gaze, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. "You shouldn't be denying someone you love, but it's fine. Let's choose an organism for the project."

I wanted to scream in his face that Sam wasn't my boyfriend. I wanted to look him dead in the eye and tell him, 'You're the one I like'—but I couldn't.

I just sat there, staring helplessly at him.

I flipped open my textbook, pretending to be fully invested in the chapter on living organisms. "What organism do you suggest?"

Alex leaned back in his seat. "We need to choose one that isn't common. Most people will go for dogs, cats, or ants. I don't like doing the same thing as everyone else."

As he spoke, I caught myself staring at his lips. One moment, he was biting them, the next, he was sucking on them slightly—like some kind of habit.

Did he do it deliberately?

Why did he have to be this attractive?

"So, Jumoke, what do you think?"

I snapped back to reality. "I'm fine with any organism you suggest."

He nodded. "Animals, insects, humans, and plants are all examples of living organisms. Most people would choose an animal or insect. I suggest we pick a plant."

My nose wrinkled. Plants? Ha, that's stress o. I can't be browsing and browsing for information like a madwoman.

I hesitated. "I... I don't think a plant is a good idea."

His eyes remained on his textbook. "Why?"

For the first time, I really looked at him—at his calm, deep brown eyes, the way his lashes curled just right.

I really like you, Alex. I just wish I had the confidence to say it out loud.

I swallowed and spoke. "I feel like plants will be too difficult to research. We can pick an animal that's not common instead."

He finally looked up, his gaze locking with mine.

I froze.

A slow moment passed before he looked away again. "Fine. Let's choose an animal. I'll check online for rare ones."

I sat up quickly. "You don't need to. I already have one in mind."

He raised a brow. "Okay?" He held his pen, ready to jot it down.

"A pangolin."

His head tilted slightly. "Hmm. Pangolin. What do you know about the animal?"

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his chin in his palms—completely attentive.

I swallowed.

Oh Lord, help me not mess this up.

"Pangolins are the only mammals in the world covered from head to toe in keratin scales," I started.

"Keratin... the same stuff in our nails?"

"Exactly." I nodded, grateful I had browsed this the night before. I was starting to feel like a scholar.

He twirled his pen between his fingers. "Interesting. Go on."

"They feed on termites and ants. And to protect themselves, they roll up into a near-perfect ball, covering their eyes and undersides."

"That's... cool." His lips twitched into a small smile.

I blushed instantly.

"That's all I remember."

Alex put his pen down. "That should be enough for today. We'll start working on the project properly next time."

As we packed up our books, he suddenly asked, "Where do you stay?"

"Kasa Street."

"Oh." He slung his bag over his shoulder. "I was thinking maybe we could stroll together if it was close."

I blinked. "Is yours close?"

"Yeah, just opposite Yeiya Hotel and Suites."

"That's actually close."

He shrugged. "Forget it, let's just go."

We walked side by side towards the university gate.

It was silent. Painfully silent.

I wanted to say something—anything—but I didn't know what. Meanwhile, Alex walked beside me, perfectly content in the quiet.

When we were almost at the gate, he finally spoke.

"So, that guy from earlier..."

Hehehe, not again!

I sighed. "Yes?"

"Is he really not your boyfriend?"

"I have no reason to lie to you."

He smirked slightly. "We're just coursemates. You have no reason to tell me the truth either."

I smiled. "You can choose to believe me or not, it's up to you."

He chuckled. "I believe you. I was just pulling your legs."

I exhaled in relief. My dreams were slowly coming true—Alex wasn't a stranger anymore. I wouldn't need to stalk him to see him again. He was closer now.

We reached the gate and both stopped at the same time—like it was planned.

"So, here's where we part," I said.

He nodded. "See you again!"

I wanted to hug him tight and tell him I'd miss him. I wanted to say so many things. But the right time never seemed to come.

I turned to leave. "Take care, Alex."

"Jummy?"

I turned back. "Huh?"

He smirked. "That guy earlier... He wasn't lying."

I frowned. "I don't understand."

"You really looked cute today."

My heart stopped.

A slow smile spread across my face. "Thank you."

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