Ciro P.O.V
It was finally the day when I could take pictures of my hard work. We were told that the photography major students had volunteered to help us take pictures of our "model." It wasn't the final markup design, just a draft we needed to send before submitting the final work. Everyone was told to arrive early.
I made some last changes, nothing too big, to give Leone a better-fitted look. Leone arrived a bit early, and I ushered him to the changing room. I knew I had to make him look a bit more "handsome." I walked with the supplies. I already had a hairstyle in mind.
I didn't have to do it, but I leave no room for comments when things can be improved. I let the flat iron heat up while I waited near it.
Meeka glanced my way a few times before approaching me. A smile spread across my face as she walked over.
"You don't mind helping me out?"
"Sure, if I can, I'll help."
It wasn't too big of a request. She had a certain hairstyle in mind and asked if I could help her.
"To do it on him?" I asked, pointing straight at Kenan, who was leaning back in a chair with his eyes closed like he had zero worries in life.
Meeka giggled behind her hand. "Yeah… you don't mind, right? He wouldn't let me touch his hair but maybe he'll listen to you."
Of course he wouldn't. He barely listens to me either, but at least I can threaten him.
I let out a dramatic sigh and picked up the comb and hair ties from her tray. She laughed and gave me a thumbs-up before scurrying back to her mannequin.
I marched right up to Kenan, planting myself directly in his line of sight. He cracked one eye open, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
"What now?" he drawled.
"Sit up. I need to do your hair," I said, already running my fingers through his mess of strands to see how stubborn it would be.
He raised an eyebrow, not moving an inch. "I didn't agree to this."
"You agreed when you decided to be Meeka's model," I said, tugging lightly at the ends until he finally, with a sigh, sat up straighter.
"This is exploitation," he grumbled as I plugged in the flat iron beside him.
"Oh, please. Hold still."
He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "tyrant" but that didn't bother me as I got my way in the end . I started brushing and sectioning his hair.
"You keep moving your head." I said as I passed the iron through his hair.
Which he clearly ignored.
"Don't blame me if I accidentally burn you"
We all know it wont be accident it will be done by free will.
As if seeing the seriousness of my threat that didn't sound like one he straightened up a bit.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed a few students staring. Of course they were. Kenan rarely let anyone touch him, let alone me manhandling his head like it was a prop.
I ignored the whispers and focused on smoothing out the strands, working quickly but carefully. Despite his constant complaints, his hair was actually nice and annoyingly easy to style.
"There. Not so difficult, was it?" I said, inspecting my handiwork.
Kenan caught his reflection in a nearby mirror and made a face.
"Yes, with a face like that, nothing can help it," I said, packing up the tools to move back to my station.
Before he could argue, I patted his cheek lightly. "Go stand next to the backdrop and be useful."
He narrowed his eyes at me but did as told, muttering something under his breath.
I ignored him, a small triumphant smile tugging at my lips as I turned to check on Leone, who had just stepped out in my design, and for once, everything felt exactly the way I'd imagined it.
It wasn't long before the other students arrived, and we left around half past four. I was walking back to the dorm when Meeka shouted my name.
"Hey! We're going out for drinks. Do you want to come?"
Though I had promised myself last time I wouldn't drink, since every time I did, Kenan and I somehow ended up sharing a kiss.
But I was happy today. I took my pictures and got rid of the anxiety that came with it. So of course I agreed.
I walked up to Meeka and stayed beside her as we met up with the rest. Kenan was still there, mixed in with the group ahead of us.
It wasn't a long walk. It wasn't the weekend, but the roads were busy with students in need of a drink.
When we arrived at the bar, it wasn't exactly full but definitely not empty.
The low hum of chatter and clinking glasses greeted us as we stepped inside. Meeka grabbed my wrist before I could blink, dragging me straight to the counter where a couple of our classmates were already ordering rounds. She ordered two shots, lifting two fingers at the bartender.
I didn't flinch when the tiny glass was placed in front of me. I didn't hesitate. One swallow and it burned its way down, warm and reckless.
She ordered more drinks, but we made our way to the table where some familiar faces were sitting.
One drink led to another, and before I knew it, I was cornered by a swarm of curious classmates, all dying to get their piece of gossip about Kenan.
Meeka was the first to strike. "So, how are you two getting along when your compatibility is so low?"
I nearly choked on my drink at her bluntness. "Who said we're getting along? This is more like… co-existing."
She snorted. "We saw you earlier, you know."
"Earlier?" I echoed, narrowing my eyes. "What about earlier?"
"When you did his hair. Everyone knows Kenan hates being touched. He didn't even flinch."
I blinked. Everyone knows? Apparently, I didn't.
I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "If he had a problem, he could've opened his mouth. He didn't, so…" I trailed off with a dismissive flick of my wrist. The fact that he did complain and I ignored him? Minor detail.
"Kenan and Meeka saw each other for a while, and he never let her touch him." someone chimed in.
Meeka giggled, leaning back. "To be fair, our families pushed for it. It was nothing serious."
Well, that's "new" information to me. I raised a brow but said nothing, feeling a small shiver at the thought of sweet Meeka being forced to date that beast.
But the interrogation didn't stop. The conversation went on and on, always circling back to Kenan. Questions about what he liked, what he hated, what I knew about him. Spoiler: next to nothing, except that he disliked me, which was the only fact I needed.
After a while, my patience wore thin. I found myself zoning out, glaring at Kenan where he stood a few tables away, half-listening to some guy drone on while nursing a drink. He probably felt my stare and glanced my way.
I was yanked back into reality when someone, Lilian I think, piped up.
"So you and Leone… are you seeing each other too?"
First Kenan, now Leone.
I barked a laugh. "No. Leone is just someone I know. An acquaintance. That's it."
Someome sighed dreamily. "Ciro, you're so lucky… surrounded by the top alphas in the university…"
I ignored him. My eyes darted back to Leone this time, catching him deep in conversation, utterly unbothered. I blamed the alcohol for my petty glare.
Deciding I'd had enough, I excused myself and slipped away to the washroom. It was mercifully empty. I turned on the faucet, cupped my hands under the cold water, and splashed my face, trying to wash away the heat from my cheeks and maybe the bad decisions too.
As I patted my face dry with a paper towel, I heard the door swing open behind me and footsteps approach. A second later, the faucet next to mine squeaked to life.
I glanced in the mirror and saw Kenan.
"What are ypu doing here?"
Kenan smirked, turning off the faucet and flicking water droplets at me like some mischievous child. "Why? It's more fun here."
"Well, you have fun. I'm heading home." I spun on my heel, but before I could reach the door, his hand closed around mine.
I froze. Isn't he getting a little too comfortable these days?
I shot him an annoyed look over my shoulder. "What, Kenan?"
He tilted his head slightly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I was leaving too."
I almost rolled my eyes into another dimension. And that affects me how? I thought, but I didn't bother saying it out loud. Instead, I tugged my hand free from his hold.
Without waiting for another word, I walked back through the bar and told Meeka and the others, "I'm heading out." Kenan, naturally, trailed right behind me like a loyal, irritating shadow.
Now that I knew exactly what everyone thought, their curious glances and whispered guesses, I couldn't help but feel every stare digging into my back as we left together.
I sighed under my breath. If only they knew. It could never be like that. Not with him. Not ever.