Home*****
I don't even remember unlocking the front door.
All I know is I practically floated into the house, hoodie half-off, grinning like I'd just won a Grammy.
I didn't even say "I'm back."
Didn't even glance toward the living room where Daphne was probably judging the air I breathed
I walked straight to my room, dropped my bag, threw myself on the bed, and stared at the ceiling with the stupidest grin on my face.
Her handle was in my phone.
@zar.bxtch — private account, 4 posts, 10k followers, no bio. Just vibes.
I followed her.
And she didn't block me.
Progress.
I replayed the moment in my head on a loop. The way she said "Don't be boring in my DMs." Like she knew she was the chaos I wasn't ready for… and dared me to still try.
Then—
"HELLOOOO?" Daphne's voice rang out from the hallway. "Are you alive or did love hit you so hard you fainted?"
I groaned. "Why are you so loud?"
She pushed my door open and leaned against the frame, smirking. "You walked past me like I was invisible. You okay? You got kidnapped and replaced with a simp?"
I rolled over and buried my face in my pillow. "She gave me her handle."
"Oh no," Daphne said dramatically. "He's doomed."
"She gave me her handle," I repeated, muffled.
Daphne laughed. "You sound like a fan who just got noticed by Beyoncé."
I sat up. "Nah. Beyoncé doesn't tell you not to be boring in her DMs."
"Oh, so she's toxic toxic," Daphne said, walking into the room. "And you're hooked hooked."
"Correct."
"You need prayer."
"Probably."
She threw a pillow at me. I didn't even dodge.
I was too busy smiling at my phone screen, watching the "Follow request sent" button glow like a green light to bad decisions.
Daphne stood there for a second, watching me smile at my phone like I just got accepted into paradise.
Then she sighed, crossed her arms, and gave me the look—you know, the one older sisters give when they're about to ruin your fantasy with hard truths.
"Don't fall too hard, dude," she said flatly.
I blinked. "Huh?"
"You heard me," she continued, stepping into the room fully. "She's toxic. Beautiful? Absolutely. Magnetic? Sure. But still toxic."
I flopped back onto the bed dramatically. "But like... the hot kind of toxic."
Daphne rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might leave her head. "Exactly. That's the worst kind. That's the type that ruins your whole GPA, gets you in drama you didn't ask for, and leaves you with a playlist full of sad songs."
I chuckled. "Why are you describing my future so perfectly?"
She ignored me and sat on the edge of my bed.
"I'm serious, Nathan. I'm not saying don't like her. I'm saying don't lose yourself trying to win her. You've got this soft boy charm, and trust me—people like her? They sniff that out and play with it."
I nodded, still smiling, but something about her words sat heavy.
"Stay tough," she added. "Match her energy, don't drown in it. And if she ever plays you like a side quest, I'll personally snatch your heart back myself."
I laughed. "You're dramatic."
She stood up. "Nope. I'm realistic. You're the dramatic one. In love after one insult and a note."
I didn't deny it. Couldn't.
She walked out the room, calling back as she disappeared down the hallway:
"Protect your peace, loverboy."
I stared at the ceiling, the smile still there—just softer now.
I knew she was right.
But I also knew… I wasn't backing down
I proceeded to sending her a text
@nate.wrld:
Not me surviving chemical warfare and still finding the energy to shoot my shot.
If that doesn't earn me a follow back, I might just spill something on your lab coat next time.
Respectfully.
---
Then… a few minutes pass. No reply.
Then… the notification.
> Zaria accepted your follow request.
And just when Nathan thinks she's done… she replies.
Zaria:
Calm down, Dr. Do Too Much.
You spilled charm, not chemicals.
You're lucky I was feeling generous.
Nathan (typing...):
So I've got a diagnosis then—Zaria-itis. Side effects include distraction, delusion, and dressing too good to be ignored.
Zaria (left on read ) **
Daphne screamed from the other room
"Don't fall too hard, dude!"
Too late..