Brennen was already there.

Leaning against his car outside Qinny’s hostel, keys spinning lazily around his finger like he had nowhere else to be.

Like he’d been waiting.

Just for her.

Qinny slowed her steps.

There was something about the way he stood there, so familiar, so easy, that made her chest ache before she even reached him.

Then he saw her.

And lit up.

“Babe!”

He straightened immediately, grin spreading across his face as he pushed himself off the car.

Qinny smiled back. “Hey, you...”

He walked up to her like it was second nature, because it was, and stopped just a little too close.

Close enough that she could smell his cologne.

Close enough that it almost felt normal again.

He looked her over, head tilting slightly.

“…I wonder who’s the lucky guy who gets to date you?” he asked, voice dipping into that teasing tone she knew too well.

Qinny huffed a small laugh. “You’re so cringe.”

“Answer the question, babe.”

She rolled her eyes. “You, obviously.”

He grinned like he’d just won something.

“Damn right!”

And then, like always, he gave her a tight squeeze and reached for her hand. Interlacing his fingers with hers. 

It was warm.

Fuzzy.

“You look really pretty,” he added, softer this time.

Not teasing.

Not joking.

Just… sincere.

Qinny’s breath caught.

“Thanks... babe.”

“But the thing is though... you always do,” he said lightly. “But today, extra pretty.”

Her stomach flipped. And she hated that it did. For a moment, it was as if things were back to the way it was before the whole cheating situation.

With those thoughts in mind, she just managed a smile.

“Come on,” he said, already moving to open the passenger door for her.

He held it steady, one hand resting against the top, to guard her head from accidentally hitting it.

“After you, babe.”

Qinny hesitated just for a second, then got in.

The car smelled like him.

Clean.

Warm.

Familiar.

Too familiar.

Brennen slid into the driver’s seat and leaned over. Qinny tensed, but he only reached for her seatbelt, pulling it across and clicking it into place. 

Basically doing things he usually does for her.

“Safety first,” he said, grinning. She swallowed. “Almost forgot.”

“It's okay, I got you.”

“Thank you for that.”

"It's my duty, so it's no big deal." He said proudly. “But you’re welcome.”

Planting a soft peck on her cheek, she couldn't help but fluster a little while he started the ignition to begin their journey.

The drive was easy. Music played softly in the background while he hummed to the tune. Then talked about football, about training, about things that didn’t matter.

His hand found hers at a red light.

Squeezed gently.

Like reassurance.

Like habit.

Like nothing had changed.

“By the way babe, I missed you yesterday,” he said.

Qinny stared ahead.

“…Yeah?” she said, keeping her tone neutral.

Even though her initial thought was to spout "While you were with her?"

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Whole day felt off without you.”

Her chest tightened.

Stupid.

This was stupid.

He threw a smile at her way before having both hands back on the steering wheel.

Finally they reached the café.

The one where Qinny had previously mentioned wanting to try... Before the incident. 

“Thought you’d like this,” Brennen said, smiling.

She did.

That was the problem.

This silly little move of his was enough to make her feel all fuzzy inside. He nodded and took her hand, leading her into the cafe.

The cafe was a typical aesthetic kind. Ones where the decor was minimalistic, mostly neutral tones and loads of natural sunlight. 

Taking their seat, a waitress approached them and he ordered without asking her.

“Iced latte, less ice, extra milk,” he said, glancing at her.

She nodded.

“Aaand a hazelnut frappé, no whipped cream. Ah, can we have a grilled chicken chop with extra blackpepper sauce for my girlfriend, and a lamb chop with mint sauce for me, please. Thank you!”

Qinny watched him.

“You remember my go-to orders?”

He looked at her like it was obvious.

“Of course I do, babe. Why wouldn't I? You always order the same thing at any cafe we go to.” He chuckled lightly like her question was a joke, and proceeded to talk about other things while her mind drifted elsewhere.

Their order of drinks arrived.

As she listened to him chattering about, she was about to take a sip of her drink from her straw but her hair slipped forward.

Before she could even reach to fix it, Brennen paused, leaned in, gently tucking it behind her ear.

“Wait,” he murmured. “There.”

His fingers lingered for a second.

Qinny stilled.

“…Thanks.”

“No thanks needed.” He grinned, then resuming his story of how their football coach was complaining on their commitment to the team.

The food came at last.

Though their food were placed accordingly, Brennen grabbed his utensils and cut her grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces.

“Here ya go, babe.”

“You don't have to do that every time though, babe.” she said, but there was no bite in it.

“I know,” he said easily. “I just like doing it. Here, try this one first~”

He held the fork out.

Qinny hesitated—

then leaned forward and took the bite.

It tasted good. Like any grilled chicken chop with blackpepper sauce would.

“Good?” he asked.

She nodded. “Mhm!”

He chuckled at her enthusiasm, satisfied.

He kept doing it.

Checking if she liked her meal or drink, refilling her a glass of water, making sure she didn't have to ask for anything.

Refilling her drink without asking.

“...You’re spoiling me,” she said.

“I always spoil you.”

That was true.

“Hey,” Brennen said suddenly, reaching for her hand again.

“I can't help but feel like... You’ve been quiet.”

“Oh, am I? I guess I'm just tired.”

“Hmm, okay then,” he nodded, accepting it.

He didn’t push.

He never did.

“I missed spending time together like this,” he said again, softer this time.

Qinny’s chest tightened.

“I miss it too.”

That part—

That part was still true.

He brightened instantly.

“Really?”

“Yeah, it's nice...”

“Any quality time together is nice, Qinny.” he laughed. 

She chuckles lightly, “You’re so cheesy.”

“As long as you love me, I'd be anything you want.”

The words came so easily.

Qinny didn’t answer, just smiled.

Then Brennen reached out a hand, to which Qinny instinctively took, so their hands were on top of the table. 

He clears his throat.

“After this semester,” Brennen said, still holding onto her, “we should go somewhere.”

She glanced up. “Somewhere?”

“Yeah. Just us. No schedules, no stress.”

He smiled.

Soft.

Certain.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”

Qinny’s chest tightened.

“Anywhere you want,” he added. “You pick.”

“I just… want to do more things with you,” he said quietly. “Properly.”

Properly.

The word landed heavier than it should have.

“I don’t want us to just repeat the same things,” he continued. “I want new memories with you.”

Qinny stared at him.

At the boy who knew her order.

Who tucked her hair without thinking.

Who planned a future like nothing was broken.

“That sounds... really nice,” she said softly, smiling at him.

And for a moment, she let herself believe it.

Maybe it’s nothing.

Maybe it’s not what she thinks.

His phone buzzed.

Once.

Face down.

He didn’t check it.

But Qinny noticed.

Of course she did.

And just like that, the her smile cracked. 

He countinued rambling on how they could spend more time together in the future, but now, her mind was no longer there.

________________________________________________________________________________

The drive back was just like any other drive home.

Just as normal.

Until—

“Wait a sec...”

They stopped at a red sign, and Brennen leaned down near her seat. 

“Something rolled under here earlier.”

Qinny glanced down.

He pulled something up.

A hair tie.

Black.

Simple.

“Damn,” he laughed. “Thought I lost this.”

Qinny’s heart skipped.

“You?” she asked lightly.

“Yeah,” he said, looping it around his fingers. “For training.”

He ran a hand through his hair.

Too short.

Qinny smiled.

Small.

Automatic.

“Right.”

He tossed it into the console.

Didn’t think twice.

But Qinny’s gaze lingered.

That’s not his.

She didn’t react.

Didn’t question.

Didn’t accuse.

Just... paused.

Then her knee brushed the side compartment.

Something crinkled.

A receipt.

She shouldn’t have looked.

But she did.

Just enough.

A café name.

A time.

Late.

Two drinks.

Not theirs.

Her stomach tightened.

She leaned back.

Said nothing.

Brennen kept talking.

Still smiling.

Still easy.

“…and then coach made us run five laps- Babe?”

She blinked. “Huh? Yeah?”

“You zoned out. Still tired?”

“Y-yeah, i think the caffeine has worn off.”

He nodded.

Reached for her hand again.

Warm.

Familiar.

Qinny let him.

Because that part had always been real.

She turned to the window.

But her mind stayed in the car.

On the hair tie.

On the receipt.

On the quiet thought she couldn’t push away anymore.

That’s not yours. You never liked tying your hair... Liar.

And this time—

She didn’t try to ignore it.

But whether or not she ignored it, or the other way around, it didn't make her feel any better anyway.