Chapter 5

Jordan's POV

I’m still trying to wrap my head around what just happened. A moment ago, Kaelen and I were talking like normal people. Well, normal for people who have spent a week avoiding each other. But now… he’s suggesting we go grab dinner together. I glance at the cafeteria, already assuming we will head there for a quick meal. The food is nothing special, but it is familiar.

Kaelen doesn’t even glance in that direction. He turns toward the opposite side of campus, where his sleek sports car is parked. I stop in my tracks, blinking slowly.

"Wait— where are you going?" I ask in confusion.

Kaelen glances back over his shoulder at me, "I thought we could take a break from the cafeteria food. I’m in the mood for something better. A real dinner."

A real dinner? My stomach tightens at the thought of a fancy restaurant. I don’t know why, but suddenly I’m nervous. The thought of eating somewhere fancy, surrounded by people who probably wouldn’t even look at someone like me twice, makes me feel out of place.

I’ve always been a guy who gets by on the basics. Expensive hotels, fancy dining rooms, people who eat meals that cost more than my dad's rent? That’s never been my world.

I open my mouth to protest, but then I catch the faintest expression on Kaelen’s face. It’s not smug or mocking like I’m used to seeing from him. It’s just... casual. Like he is just offering a suggestion, nothing more.

I hesitate before saying anything, "I don’t know, Kaelen… I’m not really—"

He raises a hand, cutting me off, "Look, if it’s going to make you uncomfortable, we don’t have to go to a restaurant. We can just grab takeouts and eat in the car. I just thought we could take a break from the usual."

I’m taken back. There’s no judgment in his voice, no condescension like I expected. He’s just being… considerate? That’s a first.

"Okay," I say, my voice coming out quieter than I meant it to. "Sure. Takeouts sounds fine."

Kaelen gives me a nod, and for a moment, I just stand there, watching him walk toward his car. He is wearing that same effortless confidence that I’ve come to get used to but in this moment, there’s something different. He is not acting like a rich kid with an agenda. He is just a guy offering to hang out. I can’t quite figure out what’s going on, and I can't believe I'm actually liking this.

★★★

We sit in his car, parked in a quiet spot just outside the restaurant, the food between us. For a while, neither of us says anything. I’m still a little thrown off by the whole thing. I open my container and start eating, not really paying attention to the food itself. And then, Kaelen takes a bite of his meal and lets out a satisfied sigh.

"This is way better than cafeteria food," he says, breaking the silence.

I can’t help but laugh a little, "Yeah, I’d say so."

We fall into an easy silence for a moment. It’s good— surprisingly good, but my mind keeps drifting back to the weirdness of the evening.

"I didn’t expect you to be so… normal," I say, glancing over at him.

Kaelen raises an eyebrow, "Normal?"

"Yeah, like... you’re not acting like the spoiled rich kid I first met,” I shrug, hoping I’m not coming off too weird. "I mean, I haven't seen you do anything like this before. You are being nice to me."

Kaelen pauses for a moment, chewing thoughtfully. For a moment, I think I have ruined everything. But then he speaks.

"I guess I’m full of surprises," he says, a slight grin forming on his lips.

I smile, my heart taking a giant leap as our gazes lock and hold for a moment before he looks away.

We eat in silence for a little while longer. The whole situation is surreal. I mean, this is Kaelen Ashford— the guy who treats everyone like they’re beneath him, the guy who has made it clear that he doesn’t give a damn about anyone who doesn’t belong to his world. But tonight... he is just a guy eating takeout in his car with me. I don’t know why, but this feels like a moment worth holding onto.

Before I can overthink it, the first drops of rain start to hit the windshield. I glance up at the sky.

"Looks like it’s going to rain,” I smile, watching as the raindrops cover the glass.

Kaelen glances up too, his expression darkening slightly. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and I notice his jaw tighten.

"Yeah," he says, his tone a little too sharp. "We should head back."

There is a hint of anxiety in his voice, matching the look in his eyes. Kaelen is not a fan of rain but he doesn’t say it out loud. He doesn't have to though, because just keeps staring at the sky.

The rain starts coming down harder and thunder roars in the distance. There is heavy tension in the air, and for the first time, I see Kaelen’s facade crack—just a little.

"You don’t like storms, do you?" I ask carefully.

"I'm fine," he mutters, his voice low. He definitely is not fine.

It’s funny—most people would be freaked out by the rain but Kaelen seems almost... uncomfortable. He sits on the edge of his seat like he is going to bolt in the next second.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my voice softer than usual as I watch his clenched jaw and hands gripping firmly on the steering wheel.

He still hasn't started the car and his gaze seems... haunted. Against my better judgement, I let my hand move and rest on his. Kaelen turns upon contact, and my breath catches suddenly.

"It's okay. We can wait it out," I manage after a beat.

His eyes search mine with uncertainty. For a moment, I think he is about to pull away and say something mean to me. I don't want this moment to be over that soon. Kaelen surprises me by lifting his hand to my face. He clears my hair from my forehead, his thumb brushing over my skin ever so lightly but it's enough to light it on fire.

He leans forward, his intent so clear in his eyes. My heart takes off and I lose count of the beats as he closes in on my lips. His breath sweeps over my face, the remnant of the dinner we just had, but it is just perfect. Just as our lips are about to touch, intense thunder rolls across the sky. Kaelen startles, taking in a harsh breath. I swiftly cup his face and meet his gaze. He is beyond frightened.

"It's okay, just... keep looking at me," I say with a voice, just slightly above a whisper and notice him swallow nervously. His jade eyes rest on mine, searching intently.

For the first time, I see a side of him that’s just... human. Without another thought, I press my lips on his. Testing... teasing... seeking. He doesn't pull away. I open my eyes slowly and my jaw slacks. His shimmer with a quiet intensity, a raw confidence... an intense storm stirring within those green orbs, harder than the one brewing outside.

I love storms... And this one— this one might be beyond me. This one might shatter my very existence. But I let it in.