They were in the same class.
But for Pixel, he was just another name on the attendance list.
Nothing more.
She had seen him before, of course.
Everyone had.
It was impossible not to notice someone like Stephan.
But noticing someone and caring about them were two very different things.
And Pixel never allowed herself to care.
Her world was small.
Carefully controlled.
And in that world, only one person truly mattered in college—
Ketty.
Her best friend.
Her only real connection in that place.
They were completely different.
Where Pixel stayed quiet… Ketty spoke without hesitation.
Where Pixel avoided attention… Ketty didn't mind being the center of it.
Where Pixel thought before every step… Ketty acted without overthinking.
And maybe that's why they worked.
Right now—
Ketty's entire attention was fixed on one person.
Stephan.
The entire class had gone on a beach trip.
The air was filled with music, laughter, and endless chatter.
Groups of students were scattered everywhere—some near the water, some dancing, some taking pictures, some just enjoying the moment.
It was loud.
Carefree.
Alive.
But Ketty wasn't looking at any of that.
Her eyes were locked on him.
"Pixel…" she said softly.
Pixel turned her head slightly.
"Hmm?"
Ketty hesitated.
Which was rare.
"Can you do something for me?"
Pixel looked at her properly now.
"What is it?"
Ketty bit her lip, then said quietly—
"Can you get Stephan's number?"
Pixel frowned immediately.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Ketty shook her head without wasting a second.
"He rejects girls. I've seen it."
There was a hint of nervousness in her voice now.
"I'm not taking that risk."
Then she added, almost like a condition—
"Just… don't tell him it's for me."
Pixel didn't like the idea.
Not because it was difficult.
But because it felt unnecessary.
Still—
she didn't argue.
For her, it was just a simple request.
Nothing more.
No emotions attached.
No expectations.
Just something to get done.
She stood up and started walking.
Each step steady.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Stephan was standing near the water, talking casually to a group of people.
The waves touched the shore behind him, the sound blending with distant laughter.
Even in a crowd—
he stood out.
Confident.
Composed.
Distant.
Untouchable.
Pixel stopped a few steps away from him.
For a brief second—
she thought of turning back.
But she didn't.
She walked the remaining distance and stopped in front of him.
"Can I have your number?"
Stephan looked at her.
Just once.
A single glance.
Sharp.
Observing.
And then—
"No."
No explanation.
No hesitation.
No softness.
Just a flat, cold rejection.
Pixel didn't react.
Didn't question.
Didn't try again.
She simply nodded.
"Okay."
And turned around.
Walking away as if nothing had happened.
As if it didn't matter.
As if he didn't matter.
And that—
felt strange.
Later, Stephan mentioned it casually to his friends—Johan, Hill, and the others.
"That girl asked for my number," he said.
"I refused."
They exchanged looks.
"That was Pixel," one of them said.
"She's not like other girls."
Another added—
"She has never been in a relationship."
"She doesn't do these things."
Stephan didn't respond immediately.
For the first time—
something didn't add up.
If she wasn't like that…
then why did she ask?
A few steps away from the crowd—
someone was running near the water.
Laughing.
Carefree.
Unaware.
Stevan.
Stephan's younger brother.
Only thirteen.
Too young to understand danger.
Too innocent to notice it.
Their parents were always busy.
So most of the time—
Stevan stayed with Stephan.
And today was no different.
The beach was filled with noise.
People shouting.
Playing.
Enjoying.
Until suddenly—
something changed.
A sound.
Faint.
Uneven.
Struggling.
Pixel's head turned instantly.
Her eyes fixed on the sea.
And then—
she saw him.
Stevan.
His movements weren't playful anymore.
They were desperate.
Uncontrolled.
He was sinking.
Drowning.
For a second—
everything around her went silent.
No music.
No voices.
No thoughts.
Only one thing remained clear.
He needed help.
And no one was close enough.
Pixel ran.
Without thinking.
Without stopping.
Straight into the water.
The cold hit her instantly.
The waves were stronger than they looked.
The current unstable.
Pulling.
Resisting.
But she didn't slow down.
Didn't hesitate.
Behind her, people started noticing.
Voices rising.
"What happened?"
"Someone's drowning!"
Panic spread quickly.
But Pixel was already far ahead.
She reached him.
Grabbed him.
Held him tightly.
He struggled.
Panicked.
But she didn't let go.
With all her strength—
she pulled him back.
Step by step.
Wave after wave.
Until finally—
they reached the shore.
By then—
a crowd had gathered.
Voices overlapping.
Tension everywhere.
Stephan pushed through the crowd.
His face—
pale.
His eyes searching.
And then he saw him.
Stevan.
Unconscious.
Not moving.
Something inside him froze.
Pixel didn't look at Stephan.
Not even once.
She immediately knelt down beside Stevan.
Focused.
Calm.
Controlled.
She placed her hands correctly.
And started CPR.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
Nothing.
No response.
Her breathing became heavier.
But her hands didn't stop.
Again.
Again.
Again.
And then—
a sudden cough.
Water rushed out.
Stevan's body jerked.
And then—
he breathed.
Alive.
A collective breath escaped the crowd.
Relief.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Stephan stood there.
Completely still.
Helpless in a way he had never felt before.
Pixel finally looked at him.
Her expression calm.
Almost detached.
"Take care of him," she said.
Her voice steady.
"And get him checked by a doctor. He might get traumatized."
Stephan opened his mouth.
Tried to speak.
To say something.
Anything.
But no words came out.
For the first time—
he didn't know what to say.
Pixel stood up slowly.
Her clothes completely soaked.
Water dripping.
Her hands slightly trembling now that everything was over.
The adrenaline fading.
Reality settling in.
Still—
she didn't wait.
Not for gratitude.
Not for attention.
Not for acknowledgment.
She simply turned—
and walked away.
Quietly.
As if none of it mattered.
As if saving a life was just… normal.
And for some reason—
that stayed with Stephan.
More than her question.
More than her silence.
More than anything else.
Because for the first time—
someone did something for him…
and expected nothing in return.