Game Over, Pretty Boy. ♕ || STGOPB

♕ Chapter Two ♕ - Knock Knock...

I raised an eyebrow, still puzzled but touched by the gesture. "Walk to class? Milo, it's barely sunrise."

He shrugged, shifting his weight awkwardly as he leaned against the doorframe. It was clear he wasn't used to showing up at someone's door unannounced, and the casual stance didn't quite suit him. "Well, I figured we could get an early start. You know, beat the crowds, enjoy the tranquility of the morning... and maybe talk."

His tone softened on the last part, and I realized that this wasn't just about walking to class. Milo had noticed something was off with me yesterday, and this was his way of checking in, of making sure I was okay. Even if it meant stepping out of his usual routine to do so.

I smiled, the confusion giving way to appreciation. "You really are something, Milo. Give me a minute to grab my things?"

"Take your time," he replied, still leaning against the doorframe, looking a little more relaxed but not quite able to hide the awkwardness of the moment.

As I turned to gather my bag, I couldn't help but feel a warmth that had nothing to do with the coffee I'd been drinking. Milo might be a bit odd, and definitely stubborn, but he was a good friend—one who knew when I needed someone, even if I hadn't realized it myself.

After grabbing my bag and quickly double-checking that I had everything I needed, I walked back to the door where Milo was still leaning, his posture a mix of awkwardness and impatience.

"Alright, I'm ready," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

Milo straightened up, brushing off some imaginary dust from his jacket as if to mask his unease. "Good," he replied, his tone brisk but not unkind. "Let's get going then. The early bird gets the best seat in the lecture hall—or something like that."

I couldn't help but smile at his attempt to sound casual, even though I could tell he was still slightly out of his element. As we stepped out into the cool morning air, I felt a strange sense of comfort. Maybe it was the quiet of the early hour, or maybe it was just knowing that I wasn't facing the day alone. Either way, I was grateful for Milo's unexpected visit, even if I wasn't quite sure what to make of it yet.

We walked side by side, the silence between us comfortable but expectant, like there was more to be said, but neither of us knew quite how to start. For now, though, it was enough just to walk together, the campus slowly coming to life around us as the sun climbed higher in the sky.

As we walked together, the early morning breeze ruffling the leaves above us, the silence stretched on, not uncomfortable but still hanging in the air. I could sense Milo was thinking about something, his brow furrowed slightly, as if debating whether to speak.

Finally, he cleared his throat, glancing at me with an awkward smile. "Uh, Riley... would you like to hear a joke?"

I blinked, a bit surprised by the suggestion. Milo wasn't exactly the jokester type—his humor usually revolved around accidental sarcasm and unintentional wit. But the idea of him making an effort to tell a joke was too intriguing to pass up.

"Sure," I said, my curiosity piqued. "Let's hear it."

"Okay, okay, here it goes," he began, his tone overly serious as if delivering a groundbreaking theorem. "Knock knock."

I smiled, deciding to play along. "Who's there?"

"Interrupting physicists," he continued, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"Interrupting physicists wh—"

"Muon!" he interrupted, the word bursting out of him before I could finish the question. He then broke into a corny laugh, clearly pleased with himself.