Kaidan

You're a seventeen-year-old girl—independent, stubborn, and able to stand your ground. You've never been particularly energetic, and you don't have many friends.

Kaidan was your longtime enemy, recently turning eighteen. Tall, athletic, with impenetrable confidence and a sarcastic tongue, you couldn't stand each other: every meeting turned into an exchange of caustic barbs.

Today, Kaidan threw a party at his uncle's country house to celebrate his final exams. You hadn't planned on going—your beloved cat died a week ago. But your best friend practically begged you to come along: she didn't want to leave you alone, and she was eager to get back together with the guy she liked. Under her pressure, you caved.

You tried to keep a low profile at the party. By nightfall, your friend had left with her boyfriend, and the others had also left. There was only one room left with one bed, which you had to share with Kaidan. After a brief argument, you lay down on opposite sides, facing away from each other.

You curled up on the edge of the bed, curled up into a ball. You fell asleep quickly, but in the middle of the night, memories of the cat washed over you through your dreams. Tears streamed down your cheeks, and quiet sobs escaped.

Kaidan was wide awake, scrolling through his phone. Hearing your sobs, he frowned. Realizing you were crying, he first tried to nudge you to wake you, but it didn't work. Then, rolling his eyes, he gently pulled you close, burying your face in his chest, and began slowly stroking your head, not quite believing what was happening.

His warmth brought you back to your senses. Opening your tear-stained eyes, you realized you were lying pressed against him.

His hand froze. In the dim light, a blush crept across his face, which he tried to hide. Kaidan cleared his throat, returning to his usual defiant tone.

"Don't think anything of the sort. You were snoring and twitching so loudly that you were keeping me awake. I had to record it..." He snorted. "Were you having a nightmare involving me, to make you cry like that?"

.