Chapter 3 Game-Date

Alan's POV. 

I woke up before my alarm rang. Not because I was disciplined, but because sleep had eluded me. Every time I closed my eyes, the same scene replayed in my head.

That girl next door. The one who had dared to dismiss me like I was nothing.

"Unbelievable," I muttered. "I've never met anyone that blunt. No hesitation, no politeness… just straight-up rejection."

And yet, that hadn't bothered me the most. It was the way she had changed. One moment, she had been laughing with her friends, loud, carefree, completely alive. And the second her eyes met mine, she had gone cold.

"Why?" I frowned. "And why do I even care?" Shaking the thought off, I stepped out onto the balcony, hoping the morning air would clear my head, but it didn't.

If anything, it made things worse. Because there she was. Right across from me on her balcony, brushing her teeth.

"Ew… what the hell?" I muttered under my breath.

She stood there like she owned the world, completely unbothered, scrolling through her phone while foam slipped carelessly from the corner of her mouth.

I physically recoiled. “Yeah… that's disgusting." I turned away, shaking off the image. "Great. Perfect start to the day."

"Alan! "Breakfast!" Nana called from downstairs.

"Thank God," I muttered, feeling relief for the distraction. I stole one last glance at her before heading inside. The smell of pancakes had filled the entire house.

"Good morning, my child," Nana said warmly as I came downstairs after getting ready.

"Best part of my day," I said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

"Of course it is,” Mom cut in, walking in with her coffee. "Because clearly, I don’t exist."

"Oh, Grace, stop taunting the boy every other day," Nana said, waving her off. "And honestly, getting jealous of your own mother and son?"

"I am his mother," Mom shot back. “And all I hear is 'Nana, Nana.' Anyway, are those pancakes only for your grandson, or do I exist for that too?"

"Of course you do," Nana said sweetly. "If anything is left." I choked back a laugh, but Nana didn't hold back. She burst into laughter, never missing a chance to roast her own daughter.

"Huh… enjoy," Mom muttered, scowling. 

"Mom, relax," I said lightly. "She's joking." I gave Nana a 'Just-stop-it' look. She winked.

My Mom's insecurity was legit. I was closer to Nana, but that didn't mean I didn't love her. If anything, I respected her more than anyone. After Dad passed away, she had worked endlessly, long shifts, sleepless nights, to give me the life I had.

And while she was out there fighting the world for us, Nana had given me the warmth and love of a mother. Both are irreplaceable. 

As I finished breakfast, I grabbed my bag and stepped outside when something brushed against my shoe. I paused and looked down. A key lay near my foot, attached to a rubber keychain.

I bent down and picked it up. The words printed on it made a smirk tug at my lips. "Fuck off."

I let out a chuckle. "Well… someone's expressive." I glanced around, wondering who it could belong to, when someone bumped straight into me.

"What the hell—?" I looked up, and there she was—arrogant—my neighbour, Milie.

For a brief second, something flickered through me… something between amusement and anticipation.

She barely looked at me. "Sorry," she muttered quickly, already rushing past me like I didn't exist.

I turned slightly, watching her hurry inside. "Mom! My locker keys.... did you see them?" she called out.

I looked down at the key in my hand. Then back at her door. A slow smile spread across my face.

"Well… this just got interesting."

I leaned casually against the wall, crossing my arms, waiting. "This has to be hers." And in a few minutes, she rushed back out, scanning the ground in clear panic. Her eyes darted everywhere except at me.

She walked right past me. Didn't even notice me. I tapped her shoulder from behind. She turned, slightly impatient as I held up the key.

"Looking for this?"

Relief flooded her face instantly. "Yes! Oh my God... Yes. Thank you, thank you so much."

She reached for it, but I pulled my hand back. How could she think it would be that easy?

"I guess you're glad to see me today," I said, raising a brow.

She tapped my arm casually, like we were already friends.

"Of course I am. You just saved me. If I lost that, I'd be done for in college."

Yesterday, she couldn't stand me. Today, she was acting as if nothing had happened.

"Did you forget something?" I asked. 

She frowned. "What?"

"Yesterday."

"Oh." She exhaled. "Yeah, that."

I waited for her to react. But instead of attitude, she simply shrugged.

"If that offended you, I’m sorry. It wasn't about you. My mom just… pushed it. I had to shut it down."

I studied her face, no hesitation, no fake politeness, just… honesty.

"That's it?" I asked.

"That's it," she said. "Now, can I please have my key? I'm already late."

There she was again… Straight to the point. I tilted my head. "Only on one condition."

Her expression changed immediately. "Excuse me?"

"I found it."

"So? It’s mine."

"And right now, it’s in my hand."

I lifted it slightly. "What if I just throw it somewhere you can’t find it?"

Her jaw tightened. "You’re seriously doing this?"

I shrugged. "Want a demo?"

"Fine," she snapped. "What do you want?"

A smirk formed on my lips. "A game-date."

She blinked. "A… what?"

"A game-date."

She stared at me for a second and then burst out laughing. Not elegant, not controlled, but loud, completely unfiltered. And for a moment, I forgot I was supposed to be annoyed.

"You mean… a date with games?" she asked between laughs.

"Yes. Jenga."

"Hahaha… You want revenge by playing Jenga?" she said, amused. "That’s it?"

"Unless you want me to add more." 

She laughed again, then held out her hand. "Fine. Deal. I’ll play Jenga with you. Now give me the key… I’m late." She extended her hand again. 

"Which college?" I asked, pushing her hand away. 

"That's none of your business."

"It is if you want the key."

She glared at me. "Abyss."

"How much time do you have?"

"Twenty minutes."

I nodded. "Good. I'll get you there in fifteen, then." Unconsciously, I just held her hand and led her toward my car.

She frowned, but didn't try to get rid of my hand. "What… do you own a helicopter?"

I smirked. "Something better."

When we reached my car, she stopped, pretending disbelief. "This? You think this vintage trash is going to save me?"

She tried to contain her laughter, but ended up laughing hard, a head-throw-back kind of laugh. And somehow, I couldn't help but adore her. My lips curled up on their own accord. 

"She is different… Her laugh is weird, but contagious."