The Arrangement Algorithm

1. I Expected Too Much

Chapter One: I Expected Too Much

Ava's POV

I knew something was wrong the second Dad started wiping the living room table.

Voluntarily. With polish. On a Sunday.
That only meant one thing: guests.

"Mumma?" I peeked into the kitchen where she was battling a pasta like it owed her money. "What's happening? Why is Dad acting like he runs a five-star hotel?"

She didn't look up. "Kalix and his family are coming."

For a second, I blinked.
Kalix Hayes?
Kalix Hayes.

The name hit like an old punch to the gut.

"Their flight just landed. They're on the way," she added, cool as ever.

My brain went on fire. "Wait, what-that Kalix? From seven years ago? The one who broke my pencil and told thirteen-year-old me that I look like a monkey's butt just to make me cry. That Kalix?!"

She gave me a look. "He was fourteen."

"And emotionally violent," I muttered.

"He's coming with his parents. And you'll be nice," she warned.

I stared at her like she'd just asked me to cut off my own leg.
Then came the final blow.
"Your father's decided to fulfill your grandmother's last wish."

I turned. "What wish?"

"That you marry Kalix."

I choked on my own soul. "EXCUSE ME?"

"It was your granny's dying wish. You weren't supposed to know until the engagement. But well, plans changed. Your dad thinks it's best we follow tradition."
She turned off the stove like she hadn't just tossed my life into a blender.

I stood there, mouth open, arms limp.
My life was over.
Dead.
Gone.
Buried.

Of course, they kept it from me until now. Because ruining my day suddenly is our family's favorite hobby.

I pretended not to care, of course.
But that didn't stop me from standing out on the upstairs balcony the second I heard tires on gravel.

Their black SUV rolled into the driveway like it was about to change my life.

And then-he stepped out.

Kalix.
And my brain actually glitched.

He was tall. Broader. No glasses anymore. Hair pushed back in a way that made him look like he just stepped out of a moody romance novel and probably hated feelings. Black jeans. White shirt rolled to the elbows. A leather watch on his wrist. And that same irritatingly perfect face-only now it came with jawline shadows and the confidence of someone who knew exactly what he looked like.

I quickly ducked behind the pillar before anyone noticed me staring.

"Not hot," I muttered to myself. "Just... genetically symmetrical."

Lies. He looked like sin and late-night bad decisions.
---

When the doorbell rang, I prayed it was the apocalypse. Or a tornado. Or both.

Instead, it was him.

Kalix Hayes.

He stood by the door, all six feet of infuriating calm and his eyes? Still a stormy mix of gray and evil.

"Avatar," he said, like we were old days, like nothing has changed.

Okay, I expected too much, learnt my lesson, thank you very much.

I cleared my throat. "Hey! KalAss!"

He smiled. "You look like a girl. That's unexpected."

Okay, I expected that to come. Cause
Ever since I heard Taehyung, my bias wrecker, preferred feminine girls, I may have slightly leaned into the girlie-girl aesthetic.
Totally not because of Kalix.
Definitely because of BTS.
That's why I'm here in a yellow sundress with daisies on it.

"Ava, atleast let the boy come inside." Hearing my mother America's voice, I had to let him inside, not that I wanted to.

"Come in," I said with forced politeness that tasted like vinegar.

Our parents were already chatting like this was a K-drama wedding episode, all laughter and long-lost memories. I stood in the corner, arms folded, wondering how this became my reality.

"Ava, take Kalix to your room," Mumma ordered while setting out the plates.

I blinked. "My room?"

"Just for now. You both talk and get to know each other there till dinner."

I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my own past lives. "Fine. This way, math boy."

---

The second we stepped into my room, I regretted it.

Because I forgot.
I. Forgot.
I forgot the Jungkook poster. The shirtless one. Taped right above my bookshelf like a shrine.

Kalix spotted it in exactly 0.3 seconds.

"Wow," he said, stepping closer with a grin that spelled evil. "Still into BTS?"

"Don't touch it," I said quickly.

"I won't. I just..."
He turned his head, mock-inspecting the image of Jungkook's glorious abs.
"Nice definition. But, you know," he glanced at me with a smirk, "I might not be an international popstar, but I've got pretty decent abs myself."

I stared at him.

He stared back.

He wasn't bluffing.

I turned around and walked to the other side of the room because nope. Not happening. Not melting. Not falling into that trap. ABS ARE A DISTRACTION. ABS ARE EVIL.

"I expected you to be normal," I said under my breath. "At least less annoying."

He plopped down on my bed like he owned it. "You expected too much, Avatar."

Oh.
Oh no.

This boy was going to ruin me.

---

Don't forget to comment and vote. Thank you for reading. Love yeah all!