Chapter 47: Pulled between two

Alan's POV

As soon as I dropped onto my bed, a smile spread across my face.

The whole night replayed in flashes.

Her arms tightened around me whenever I sped up.

The way I wrapped my jacket around her when the wind got too cold.

“How naturally she leaned into me whenever she laughed.”

“How I kept rubbing her hands between mine just to warm them up.”

It was stupidly simple.

And somehow… it became one of the best nights of my life.’

I even clicked our photos, capturing my second memory with her.

It felt so light again.

And honestly?

I still hated the fact that Mom woke me up before I could fully enjoy seeing her asleep in my arms.

My chest tightened remembering it.

Her face was buried against my chest. Her hair was all over my neck.

The way she curled closer in her sleep, as if she belonged there.

I exhaled sharply and grabbed my phone.

And before my brain wandered somewhere, my fingers were already typing.

Alan: I think you owe me a treat.

Alan: For saving you from almost dying.

Milie: Excuse me? My life almost ended because of you.

Milie: The bike ride and all were your idea.

Alan: Sleeping on my bed was not mine. 😂😂

Milie: Huh… YOU could have woke me up.

Alan: I tried. You sleepy head.

Milie: Still your fault.

Alan: Your Mom thinks you woke up early for a jog now. You ungrateful potato.

Milie: 😭😭😭

Alan: Also… you cuddle aggressively.

Milie: SHUT UP.

Alan: My shoulder still hurts.

Milie: ALAN.

Alan: But I liked the coziness. 😉

Milie: I hate you.

Alan: No, you don't.

Milie: 🙄

Alan: See? Silence means agreement.

Milie: Stop flirting for one second.

Alan: Hehehe… But it was a full traumatic drama.

Alan: Your mom. My mom. Dax. Near-death experience.

Milie: Hahahaha… seriously.

Milie: Alan

Alan: Yes.

Milie: Promise me something?

Alan: What?

Milie: This stays between us. Always.

Alan: You don't trust me?

Milie: I do more than I should probably.

Alan: Then stop worrying.

Milie: Thank you. Really.

Alan: Anytime, Mils.

Milie: And yeah… I owe you coffee.

Milie: Today after college?

Alan: Is it a date? 😉

Milie: My bad. Offer canceled.🙄

Alan: Wow. Heartbroken again.

Milie: Drama king.

Alan: Meet me at the gate after class.

Milie: Done.

Alan: Wear something colorful.

Milie: Why? 🤨

Alan: We’re celebrating surviving our criminal activities.

Milie: You’re impossible.

Alan: Hehehe… Yet you are laughing, right?

Milie: Unfortunately.

I stared at that last word longer than I should have.

Unfortunately. The same word she had used on the beach.

That night, it had shattered something inside me.

But today it was making me smile.

“Maybe I really did overthink everything when it came to her.”

I smiled to myself like an idiot.

“God. How did this girl manage to live in my head twenty-four seven?”

“It never happened before.”

I got ready faster than usual and changed shirts twice before settling on one.

Definitely not because of coffee with her, yeah?

“Yeah,” I answered myself.

“Alan!” Mom called from downstairs.

“Coming!”

I grabbed my backpack and headed down.

Mom noticed my mood immediately.

“Well,” she said slowly, sipping her coffee, “someone looks suspiciously happy today.”

“Huh? No.”

“No?” She narrowed her eyes. “You look like you got ready for a date.”

I nearly choked over my fist.

Before Mom could interrogate me further, Nana spoke from the dining table.

“Oh, let the boy live,” she said dramatically. “When else is he supposed to date? At forty?”

“Mom,” my mother groaned.

I bit back a laugh and kissed Nana’s cheek before escaping the house.

College felt lighter that day, too light.

And I hated how easily my mood had started depending on Milie.

I walked in casually and settled on the bench when—

“Okay, what’s with you today?” Emma asked, catching me off guard.

“Huh? what?”

“You look happy.” Emma squinted harder.

“Oh my God,” I thought internally. “Is it that obvious?”

“It’s nothing like that.”

“Whatever… What you doing after classes?” She asked.

“We’re heading to my place later. Tessa and Sammy are coming too.”

“You in?”

“Nope, I already have plans.”

Emma smirked instantly. “What plan?”

“It’s personal.”

“A date?” She twitched her lips, clearly offended.

“No.” I wished it would be.

If things hadn’t gone completely insane a few days ago…maybe I would’ve actually asked Milie out properly.

And maybe she would’ve said yes. The thought hit harder than expected.

I shook it away quickly and focused on the lecture.

After the class, the moment I stepped into the hallway, I spotted Milie near her locker.

Neon green top. Loose hair. Blue jeans. Perfect.

My heartbeat betrayed me instantly.

She looked up and caught me staring. A slow smile spread across her face.

“There comes the criminal.” She said, rolling her eyes.

I placed a hand dramatically over my chest.

“After everything I did for you?”

“You almost got me killed.”

“You’re alive.”

“Barely.”

I leaned casually against the lockers.

“So,” I lowered my voice slightly, “did you miss seeing us in each other arms?”

Her eyes widened instantly.

“Alan!”

“What? I miss it.”

“Shut up!! You’re shameless.”

“Wow!! You clung to me. You liked sleeping there.”

Her cheeks turned pink so fast it nearly killed me.

Before I could tease her futher, got to know her heart, I saw Daxton walking towards us.

“Milie.” She turned, and the atmosphere shifted immediately.

Not awkward. Not hostile. Just… careful.

His eyes landed on Milie first. Then at me.

“Hey,” she replied softly.

I straightened slightly, giving them space without making it obvious.

“Milie, I’ve got a practice game after class today. Coach just informed.”

Her brows lifted. “Oh yeah?”

A faint smile appeared on his face. “Will you come to watch?”

“Yeah, sure, let’s go.”

“Oh…No, not now. After classes.”

“Huh? After classes?” And there it was. Our coffee plan died before it even happened.

Milie’s eyes flickered toward me for half a second.

Tiny movement. But I noticed. Apparently… so did Dax.

“It’s okay if you wanna head home,” Daxton added quietly.

“No, it’s not that—”

She stopped halfway. And somehow that hesitation hurt more than a direct rejection would've.

“Sammy’s hanging with Tessa anyway,” Daxton continued. “So it’ll just be us.”

Just us. Something uncomfortable tightened in my chest.

Not jealousy exactly. Something worse, like the realization that no matter how close she got to me…

Daxton would always be the first person her heart would prioritize.

“Oh… okay,” she said finally. “I’ll come.”

Daxton smiled immediately, and somehow that made my chest feel heavier instantly.

He squeezed her shoulder gently before heading away without glancing at me.

Milie watched him leave before slowly looking back at me.

“I—”

“You don’t have to explain,” I cut in lightly. But my smile didn’t fully reach my eyes this time.

Of course, she noticed.

“Alan…” she tried again, but I was already stepping backward.

“Relax, Mils,” I said, shoving my hands into the pockets. “It’s just coffee.”

“We can do it anytime.”

I acted cool. It wasn’t just a coffee.

I turned away before my face gave away my real emotions.

For the rest of the lecture, I kept myself occupied, trying not to think too much.

But as soon as I walked toward the college gate after the classes, everything came crashing back.

The crowded campus suddenly felt irritating. People laughing, couples walking together, someone blasting music from a car near the parking lot—

Everything reminded me that I was supposed to be with her right now.

If Dax hadn’t shown up…we would’ve been laughing, fighting over coffee, and probably calling me annoying every five minutes.

And the worst part?

I knew she hadn’t chosen him to hurt me, which somehow made it even more harder.

“Hey, Alan!”

I turned at the voice behind me.

Emma, Tessa, Sammy, and Ryan from my economics class were heading toward me.

“Bro, I heard you ditched us today.”

Tessa gasped dramatically. “Was it for a girl?”

Yeah, for a girl who wasn’t coming anymore. My chest tightened unexpectedly.

Emma crossed her arms suspiciously. “No, but it’s personal.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, because it is.” Irritation laced my voice.

I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone, but just then, I found someone moving behind them.

I tilted my head to find none but Milie running towards us.

My heartbeat stumbled immediately.

Her hair was flying everywhere, backpack slipping from one shoulder, and for one ridiculous second…

Everything inside me lit up again. “What is she doing here?”