The Only Exception

✦ Chapter Four: The Kind of Attention That Stays Quiet

Kael didn't text.

Not because he was avoiding her - he didn't seem like the type to play games. He simply wasn't the kind of person who cluttered up conversation with emojis and empty updates.

If he wanted to speak to someone, he'd do it in person.
If he wanted to see someone... he'd show up.

⸻

"He didn't ask for your number yet?" Demi asked one evening over instant noodles in their cramped dorm kitchenette.

"No."

"Weird."

"Not really."

Demi gave her a look.

"Zei. It's almost weird how not weird you're finding this."

"I don't need him texting me pointless things at 1 a.m. I like how it is."

"You like a guy who barely talks to you unless forced by academic collaboration?"

"He talks to me. In his way."

"In riddles?"

"In... not wasting time."

Demi gave up with a shrug.

"Just don't say I didn't warn you when you catch feelings."

Too late, Zei thought.

⸻

Their next meeting wasn't even a meeting.
It was an accidental overlap.

She wasn't supposed to be in the study hall that day.
He wasn't supposed to be there either.

But there they were. Two people from different universities, stealing the same corner of quiet.

"Didn't think you were the library type," Kael said without looking up from his laptop.

"You don't know me."

"I'm starting to."

⸻

That was the thing with Kael.
He didn't offer compliments, but his attention lingered like one.

He noticed the details people missed. The way she rotated pens when she thought. The way she wrote in messy all-caps when trying to focus.

Little things that didn't matter to most.
But apparently mattered to him.

"Do you always study like you're preparing for war?"

"You don't?"

"I'm just here to survive until graduation."

"Older and wiser, huh?"

"Older. Debatable on the wiser."

It slipped out easily now, this back-and-forth. Like a language only the two of them spoke.

⸻

"Why international programs?" Zei asked, closing her laptop when she realised neither of them were really working anymore.

"Why not?"

"Doesn't really seem like your thing. All these people, all this... forced cheer."

"Not for the people. For the opportunities."

"Networking?"

"For someone who doesn't network?" His smile flickered. "No. Experience. Connections. New places. I like things that remind me the world's bigger than this."

"I get that."

He watched her for a moment.

"You do?"

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

⸻

They left together that day. Not by plan. Just... walking the same direction.

He held the door for her without thinking.
She thanked him without noticing.

Two people who weren't quite friends.
Not yet.

But maybe heading somewhere close.