The library doors opened.
And Leo walked in.
His friends followed behind him, talking casually, but Leo’s expression remained calm as always.
The moment he entered, the atmosphere shifted.
Whispers spread instantly.
“Leo’s here.”
Girls straightened their posture.
Some fixed their hair.
Some simply stared.
At the center of it all stood Sofia.
Her lips curved into a confident smile.
This was her chance.
She had made her promise in front of everyone.
And she was sure she would prove it today.
Sofia adjusted her hair and stepped right in front of the library entrance, making sure Leo would have no choice but to notice her.
Her friends watched excitedly.
“She’s definitely going to do it.”
“She’s the prettiest girl here.
There’s no way Leo can ignore her.”
Sofia believed it too.
Her beauty had always turned heads.
Her charm had always worked.
She was used to attention.
And today would be no different.
Leo walked closer.
Closer.
And then—
He walked right past her.
Without even looking.
Without slowing down.
Without a single expression.
Sofia froze.
Her smile disappeared.
Her friends blinked in shock.
Leo didn’t even notice her.
He simply walked toward the shelves, picking out the assignment books he needed.
As if nothing had happened.
Behind Sofia, a few of her friends struggled to hide their laughter.
Her face burned with embarrassment.
Anger rose inside her.
No one had ever ignored her like that before.
No one.
But Sofia wasn’t someone who gave up easily.
Sofia took a deep breath and walked toward him.
Leo stood near the shelves, flipping through an assignment book, completely focused.
For a moment, Sofia just looked at him.
Up close, he looked even more untouchable.
Calm.
Sharp.
Cold.
Still, she smiled confidently.
“Leo.”
He lifted his eyes briefly.
“Yes?”
That simple answer made her heart skip, but she quickly composed herself.
She leaned slightly against the shelf, brushing her hair back.
“I was actually looking for you.”
Leo said nothing.
Sofia smiled, trying to make the silence work in her favor.
“I need help with my assignment.
I heard you’re really good at this topic.”
Leo closed the book in his hand.
“No.”
Sofia blinked.
“…No?”
Leo looked at her calmly.
“I’m busy.”
He stepped forward to leave, but Sofia moved in front of him again.
“Come on, it’s just a little help.”
Her voice softened.
“Besides… we’re in the same class.”
Leo stayed silent.
Sofia smiled again, trying another way.
“And I thought maybe… this could be a good chance for us to know each other better.”
Leo’s expression didn’t change.
For a second, Sofia expected at least some reaction.
Anything.
But there was nothing.
She said again..
“You’re really hard to talk to, you know that?”
Leo’s gaze remained cold.
“Then don’t.”
Sofia’s face stiffened.
Still, she wasn’t ready to lose.
Sofia took another step closer, confidently lifting her hand toward his shoulder, certain her charm would work like it always did.
But before her fingers could touch him, Leo stepped back smoothly.
His dark eyes landed on her hand for a second, then on her face.
Cold.
Calm.
And then he spoke.
“I’m not interested.”
Three simple words.
But they landed like ice.
Sofia blinked, caught off guard.
Her smile faltered, but she forced it back.
“Oh… come on,” she laughed lightly.
“It’s just studying.
Leo’s expression didn’t change.
“That doesn’t make us close.”
His voice remained calm.
Unmoved.
His eyes unreadable
The confidence in her eyes cracked.
Still, she tried one last time.
“Friends should help each other, don’t they?”
Leo’s gaze remained steady.
“We’re not friends.”
His tone was calm.
Cold enough to make the meaning clear.
“And don’t assume we ever will be.”
Silence filled the library.
Sofia stood frozen.
Humiliation burned in her chest.
Leo didn’t wait for her answer.
He simply walked past her toward the shelves, taking the books he needed.
As if the conversation had never mattered.
Behind her, her friends stared in disbelief.
One of her friends came beside her and smirked.
“Better luck next time.”
Sofia clenched her fists.
Her face burned with humiliation.
Without another word, she stormed out of the library.
But before leaving, she whispered to herself—
“One day, Leo will be mine.”
On the other side of the shelves, Pearl and Mia had heard everything.
Pearl’s heart had been racing the whole time.
She had tried to look at Leo.
Tried to see his face.
But the girls crowded in front of her, blocking her view completely.
She could only hear his voice.
Low.
Calm.
Cold.
And yet…
when he rejected Sofia—
Pearl felt relieved.
Happy.
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
Why?
Why did it matter to her?
Why had she held her breath waiting for his answer?
And why did his rejection make her feel so light?
For the first time—
Pearl felt happy over something she did not understand.
Mia leaned closer and whispered,
“I told you.”
Pearl looked at her.
Mia smiled knowingly.
“He doesn’t like the company of girls.”
Those words made Pearl’s smile fade.
Her heart tightened.
He doesn’t like girls?
That means…
he wouldn’t like her either.
And somehow, that made him feel even farther away.
If someone like Sofia—beautiful, popular, admired by everyone—couldn’t even get close to him…
Then what chance did someone like her have?
Pearl lowered her eyes.
A strange sadness settled in her chest.
Maybe it was better this way.
Better if their paths never crossed.
Because if they did—
she wasn’t sure her heart would remain untouched anymore.
She took a slow breath and tried to focus on her book again.
But before she could turn the page—
she heard footsteps.
Slow.
Steady.
Coming closer.
Closer to her section.
Pearl’s fingers froze.
Mia looked up too.
The footsteps stopped just on the other side of the shelf.
A deep, calm voice spoke—
“Excuse me… is anyone sitting here?”
Pearl’s heartbeat stopped for a moment.
That voice.
It was him.