Chapter 4: The Dream , Part 2

The scene feels so vivid, like I never left. The soft hum of café chatter fills the air, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the sweetness of Tessa’s overly sugary drink.

Zafi stirs his coffee lazily, eyes half-lidded like he’s about to doze off. "Man, I swear they’re getting stingier with the coffee beans," he mutters, giving his cup a suspicious look before taking a sip.

Kai, across from him, has his drink but barely acknowledges it, just spinning his coin between his fingers. "You complain every time, and yet you keep ordering it," he says, smirking.

Reza, sitting next to Kai, is staring at his phone with an annoyed expression, scrolling aggressively. "Tch. Can’t believe that bastard actually won the match. He was playing like crap last time," he grumbles.

And then there’s Tessa, right beside me, happily sipping her drink, eyes shining like she’s in her own little world. "Mmm! No matter how many times I drink this, it’s still so good!" she beams, completely unfazed by the others' conversations.

I sit there, just watching them, soaking it all in. The warmth of their presence, the casual bickering, the little mundane moments I never realized I missed so much.

It feels real. Too real. And that scares me. These memories might be the only thing that grips me as a human—or was

Kai then flips his coin, catching it effortlessly as he leans back in his chair. "So, get this—Zal’s gunning for MPP (Student Council) President."

Zafi raises an eyebrow, still stirring his coffee. "Not surprising. He’s been in the MPP since first year. Probably sees it as his birthright or something."

Reza scoffs, eyes still glued to his phone. "Tch. Figures. That guy acts like he owns the damn school already."

Kai smirks. "Well, he’s practically Azrai’s equal in academics and sports. Only difference is, Zal’s got average looks at best, while Azrai’s got that ‘prince charming’ thing going on." He twirls his coin again. "Still, the dude's popular enough. And since Azrai couldn’t care less about being president, everyone thinks Zal’s got this in the bag."

I let out a dry chuckle, tapping my fingers against my cup. "Yeah, everyone except me."

That gets their attention. Kai tilts his head, intrigued. "Oh? Ice Queen's got a different take?"

Zafi finally stops stirring his coffee, giving me a curious glance. Reza even looks up from his phone. Tessa, of course, just happily sips her drink, waiting for me to spill.

I sigh, leaning back. "Just saying, I wouldn’t bet on it being that easy."

I take a sip of my drink before setting it down with a smirk. "It’s not gonna happen if I run for president."

Silence.

Then Kai lets out a laugh, flipping his coin again. "Pfft—what?"

Zafi blinks. "Wait, you serious?"

Reza just snorts. "Like hell you’d run."

Tessa, eyes sparkling with amusement, clasps her hands together. "Ooooh, Nur as the MPP President! That sounds so cool!"

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I roll my eyes. "Relax. I have zero intention of doing it."

Kai leans forward, grinning. "Damn. For a second there, I thought we were about to witness a historic moment."

Zafi shakes his head with a chuckle. "Yeah, right. Nur willingly signing up for extra responsibilities? Never happening."

Reza smirks, tapping at his phone. "Would be funny, though. Zal’s brain would short-circuit."

I just shrug. "All I’m saying is, it’s not as set in stone as people think."

Kai hums, flipping his coin one more time before catching it. "Well, guess we’ll see how it plays out."

Kai leans back, twirling his coin between his fingers— that's new. "Actually… it wouldn’t be impossible. You pretty much got a cult going on behind you."

I raise an eyebrow. "A what now?"

Zafi chuckles, stirring his coffee. "He’s not wrong. You’re the Ice Queen, remember? Half the guys in our year are too scared to talk to you, and the other half are weirdly obsessed."

Reza scoffs. "Tch. Bunch of idiots."

Tessa giggles. "It’s true, though! Nur-chan is super popular! I bet if you actually ran, you’d get tons of votes!"

I take a sip of my drink, unimpressed. "Popularity doesn’t mean competence. Besides, I have better things to do than babysit the entire student body."

Cult? What do they mean, a cult? Do people actually worship me or something? Like, is there some guy out there with an altar dedicated to me in his room? Are there prayers? Like—Praying for you 🕯O great Nur 💝? You know what— Just the thought alone sends a shiver down my spine. Yeah, no. Better not to think about it

Kai flips his coin again. "True, true. But imagine the chaos. You, in charge of the council? Watching Zal’s soul leave his body would be priceless."

I smirk. "Tempting. But no thanks."

Kai flips his coin with a smirk. "Anyway, speaking of our oh-so-interesting classmates, you guys hear about Arvan?"

I sigh. "What about him?"

Kai leans forward. "The guy’s as average as they come, right? Decent grades, decent looks, decent at sports—he could actually land a girlfriend if it weren’t for one little problem."

Zafi chuckles. "His sister?"

"Bingo," Kai grins. "The infamous ‘Violent Woman.’ She might’ve graduated, but her legend still haunts these halls. Every girl who even thinks about getting close to Arvan backs off the moment they hear about her. Poor guy’s love life is doomed."

I raise an eyebrow. "Hold up. How do you even know this much about everyone? Do you just go around collecting gossip?"

Kai gives me an innocent look. "Information is power, my dear Ice Queen. Besides, people talk when you know how to listen."

I exhale sharply. "Don’t call me that. It makes my skin crawl, especially from you."

Reza snorts. "More like you’re just nosy as hell." He adds.

Tessa giggles. "But it’s fun, right? What’s the latest gossip, Kai?"

Kai’s grin widens. "Glad you asked! So, word is, Arvan actually tried asking someone out recently…"

I roll my eyes. "Oh, here we go."

Kai flips his coin again, catching it effortlessly. "So get this—Arvan finally grew a backbone and confessed to some girl. Thought he was safe since his sister already graduated."

Zafi raises an eyebrow. "And? How’d that go?"

Kai smirks. "Well… turns out, not safe at all. Somehow, the news got to his dear sister, and guess what she did?"

I already know where this is going. "Threatened the girl?"

"Bingo." Kai leans back in his chair. "She straight-up scared her off. Poor girl asked for a break up with Arvan the very next day. Man didn't even get a chance."

Reza scoffs. "That’s messed up. Dude’s never getting a girlfriend at this rate."

Tessa pouts. "That’s so sad! Why would she do that?"

Zafi shrugs. "Probably doesn’t want her little brother getting into trouble. Or she’s just insane."

Kai twirls his coin between his fingers. "Either way, the guy's cursed. Any girl who even considers him will have to go through the ‘Violent Woman’ first."

I shake my head. "Honestly, I almost feel bad for him."

Kai grins. "Almost?"

I smirk. "Almost."

Zafi snorts, stirring his coffee lazily. "Honestly, it’s like she’s got a brocon thing going on, right? Like, ‘Nobody can have him except me’ type of deal."

Kai laughs, leaning back in his chair. "Guess that explains the whole ‘intimidate all the girls’ thing. She probably thinks she’s the only one who can have him."

Reza grumbles, "That’s just messed up. I get being protective, but that’s way overboard."

Tessa tilts her head. "Maybe she really cares about him, though?"

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, but not in a healthy way. She needs to let him breathe."

Zafi nods, tapping his coffee cup. "Brocon, or just plain possessive—either way, Arvan's not gonna get anywhere if his sister keeps pulling the strings."

I can't help but smirk. "Maybe one day Arvan will finally break free and get a chance with someone. Or maybe he’ll just end up hiding from his sister forever."

Kai chuckles. "Wouldn't be surprised if that happens."

Tessa giggles, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or... he ends up with his sister, who knows? Maybe they're just meant to be a pair."

Kai bursts out laughing, nearly choking on his drink. "Eww nasty."

Zafi smirks, shaking his head. "Talk about sibling goals taken to the extreme. But honestly, if that happened, I’d have to quit school. The cringe would be unbearable."

Reza grumbles, his brows furrowing in annoyance. "No way that’s happening. That’s beyond messed up."

I can’t help but laugh along with them, even though part of me thinks it’s not that far-fetched, given Arvan's situation. "Well, whatever happens, I think Arvan needs to have a serious talk with his sister. But if she’s that crazy protective, he’s pretty much doomed."

Tessa shrugs, sipping her drink. "Who knows, maybe he likes the attention."

"Right," I scoff. "He totally seems like the type to enjoy that."

Then Reza stands up, stretching his arms, he says, "I gotta head out. Got stuff to do."

Kai quickly follows suit, "Same here. Don't want to be late for anything."

Zafi nods lazily, sipping the last bit of his coffee. "I'm out too. Catch you later, guys."

Tessa gives me a playful smile, "I’ll see you later, Nur. You still owe me a treat!"

As their voices fade into the background, I feel that familiar pang of emptiness creeping in, even though I know I shouldn't. "Yeah, see you later," I mutter, not really sure if I mean it for them or for myself.

The moment is almost over, slipping through my fingers, and just like that, I'm left in the quiet.

End of Chapter 4