Project, or Something Like That

Project, or Something Like That

(Nathan’s POV)

After the final bell, the classroom emptied in a rush of scraping chairs and chattering voices. Our group stayed behind just long enough to gather our bags and make sure no one “forgot” the project materials. Mina was already bouncing with excitement like we were going to a theme park instead of a study session.

“Come on, come on, train leaves in five minutes!” Mina urged, tugging on Wenalin’s sleeve.

“I have legs,” Wenalin said, letting herself be pulled anyway.

Rue smiled as she adjusted her satchel, glancing at me. “You ready?”

“Yeah,” I said while I'm blushing, matching her pace as we left the classroom.

---

On the train

We found a set of seats together—Rue by the window, me next to her, with Yara, Mina, and Wenalin across from us. Mina immediately leaned into Wenalin’s side, her head resting on Wenalin’s shoulder like it was the most natural pillow in the world.

“You’re heavy,” Wenalin muttered.

Mina grinned. “And you’re comfy. Balance.”

Yara keep scrolling her phone.

Rue smile quietly beside me, her voice low so only I could hear. “They’ve been like this since middle school. No one’s ever been able to separate them.”

I smirked. “Not even teachers?”

She shook her head. “Especially not teachers.”

The train rocked gently as it sped past rows of houses and small shops. The sun was already dipping lower, casting a warm glow on Rue’s hair. I caught myself staring a little too long, only to quickly look away when she turned her head toward me.

“What?” she asked, smiling.

“Nothing,” I said, and immediately regretted how suspicious that sounded.

Her smile softened. “You’re quiet today.”

“I’m always quiet.”

“True,” she said, her eyes glinting like she’d caught me in something. “But it’s a nice kind of quiet.”

My ears felt warm, so I looked out the window instead. Across from us, Mina was poking at Wenalin’s cheek, claiming she was “testing skin elasticity” while Wenalin ignored her completely.

---

The walk to Rue’s house

The train ride ended too soon, and we stepped onto the platform. Rue led the way, her pace steady but not rushed. The neighborhood gradually shifted from busy streets to wide, quiet lanes lined with tall trees.

“That’s… a big house,” Yara said when Rue’s home came into view.

It was more like a modern mansion—white walls, glass balconies, and a driveway big enough to host a sports day event. A sleek black car sat parked out front.

“You didn’t tell us you lived in a magazine ad,” Mina said, eyes wide.

Rue laughed, unlocking the gate with a small remote. “It’s just home.”

We stepped inside, greeted by the faint scent of something sweet—maybe cookies baking. The floors were spotless, the ceilings high enough to make my voice echo when I said, “Wow.”

Rue’s mother, dressed in a crisp white blouse, appeared from the kitchen. “Welcome, everyone. I made snacks for you—please don’t hesitate to eat while you work.”

“Thank you!” Mina said immediately, already scanning for the source of the smell.

Rue led us to her room, where a long table had been set up with notebooks, pens, and her laptop.

“Okay,” Rue said, clapping her hands once. “Project time.”

---

The “project”

We started with good intentions. Rue typed up ideas while Yara pulled up research articles on her tablet. I offered to help outline the main points, but Rue kept leaning closer to show me small notes or ask my opinion.

“What do you think of this angle?” she asked, brushing her hair back as she turned her laptop toward me.

I read the paragraph, trying to focus on the words and not the fact that she was close enough for me to smell her perfume—something light and floral. “It works,” I said finally.

Her smile was immediate. “Knew you’d say that.”

Across the table, Mina and Wenalin were… not working. Mina had abandoned her notebook entirely and was now stealing potato chips from Wenalin’s plate.

“Those are mine,” Wenalin said, but didn’t stop her.

“Sharing is caring,” Mina replied, then held up a chip to Wenalin’s lips. “Here, try this one—it’s got more flavor.”

Wenalin sighed but took the bite without looking up from her phone. Yara groaned from her side of the table.

“ was humming happily, now leaning so close to Wenalin that their shoulders were pressed together.

---

The “break”

After about an hour, Rue suggested we take a break. She disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a tray of cookies and tea.

“These are amazing,” Mina said around a mouthful.

“You didn’t even finish chewing before you complimented them,” Wenalin said, sipping her tea.

“That’s how good they are!” Mina shot back.

Rue set a plate near me. “You should try one before Mina eats them all.”

I picked one up, biting into the warm, soft cookie. “It’s good.”

She smiled like my approval meant something, which made my chest feel a little strange.

We were deep into the project—Rue typing steadily, Yara scrolling through research, Mina and Wenalin “contribute” while mostly feeding each other chips—when I felt the undeniable urge to excuse myself.

“I’ll be back,” I said, pushing my chair back.

Rue looked up. “Where are you going?”

“Bathroom,” I said simply.

“Oh, it’s down the hall, second door on the left,” she explained, pointing toward a wide corridor off the living room. “There’s a painting of the beach right beside it. You can’t miss it.”

I nodded and headed that way, the plush carpet swallowing the sound of my footsteps. Sure enough, the painting was there—a bright seascape with tiny white sailboats.

I reached for the doorknob…

…when the door swung open.

I froze.

A tall guy stepped out, steam rolling out behind him. His hair was damp, his skin still glistening with water, and the only thing covering him was a towel around his waist and another draped over his head as he rubbed at his hair.

We made eye contact.

“…Hi?” he said, like this was the most normal hallway conversation ever.

My brain did not have the software to handle this situation. “Uh—”

Before I could process further, footsteps approached quickly behind me.

“Nathan? What’s taking—” Rue’s voice cut off like someone had pressed pause.

I turned to see her expression shift from mild curiosity to pure outrage.

“You!” she shouted, pointing at the half-naked guy.

The guy just blinked. “What?”

Rue, apparently deciding she needed a weapon, grabbed the nearest object her slipper and hurled it at him.

He caught it easily with one hand, still looking more amused than threatened. “Really, Rue?”

“What are you doing taking a bath right now?!” she yelled.

“It’s my house,” he said calmly, draping the towel from his head over his shoulder.

I blinked. “Wait… His house?”

“Yeah,” he said with a casual shrug. “I live here. I’m Nash, by the way.” He smiled like we were meeting at a café, not outside a bathroom with him half-naked.

Rue stepped in front of me like she was protecting me from a wild animal. “Nathan, don’t talk to him.”

“Why not?” Nash asked, smirking. “He’s polite. I like him already.”

I gave an awkward smile. “Uh… thanks?”

Rue groaned, rubbing her temple. “Nash, go put clothes on. You’re scaring my friends.”

“ oh I’m not scared I'm a guy too” I laughed awkwardly

Nash chuckled. “Your friend is fun.”

Rue’s glare could have melted steel. “Don’t encourage him.”

He shrugged. “Alright, fine. I’ll change.” He tossed the slipper back to her and walked past us toward a nearby bedroom.

“Uh—” I glanced at Rue, who looked like she was mentally preparing my funeral. “Maybe later.”

When he disappeared into his room, Rue let out a long sigh. “Unbelievable. This is why I didn’t tell anyone I have a brother.”

“Is that your brother? I mean you have a brother?"

Rue:"Yeah he is 1 year older than me,anyway you can use the cr"

"Oh yeah right" I get inside the bathroom

i didn't know that she have a brother.

Rue was still mumbling angrily beside me as we walked back to her room. I could practically feel the steam coming off her head. She looked like she was rehearsing an entire roast session for her brother.

I, on the other hand, was just… awkwardly smiling like a lost puppy. My hands were buried deep in my pockets, and I was avoiding eye contact with anyone, especially Rue, because I was still replaying the scene in my head—Nash stepping out with only a towel, droplets of water sliding down his chest, and me standing there frozen like an idiot.

When we finally stepped inside, Mina immediately perked up.

“Oi, what took you guys so long? Did Nathan get lost in the bathroom?!” she teased, smirking.

“ oh no Nothing happened,” I said way too quickly, which only made her narrow her eyes at me.

Yara was lazily sitting on the carpet, scrolling on her phone, but she looked up with a mischievous grin. “Oh? Nothing happened? Then why does Rue look like she’s ready to murder someone?”

Rue flopped into her chair, crossed her arms, and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Don’t even start.”

Before I could slip into my seat and disappear into the background, Wenalin leaned forward from the couch, resting her chin on her palm. “So?” she said flatly, eyes flicking between me and Rue. “What happened?”

“Seriously, nothing—” I started, but Rue cut me off.

“My idiot brother decided to show up in the hallway half-naked while Nathan was on his way to the bathroom,” she announced, her tone dripping with annoyance.

The room went silent for half a second—then Mina burst out laughing so loud she nearly fell off her chair.

the three of them shock when they heard it

Mina:",You have a brother?"

Rue nodded.

Yara:"We Didn't know that you have a older brother"

"Even me Im surprised "

“Oh my god, Nathan, you saw her brother naked?!”

“It wasn’t naked!” I quickly defended, feeling my ears burn. “He had a towel!”

“Still counts,” Mina said, still wheezing. She turned to Wenalin and nudged her. “Can you believe this? Nathan’s already meeting shirtless family members.”

Wenalin didn’t laugh—her expression stayed neutral—but I swear I saw the corner of her mouth twitch. “"It's okay they are both guy it will be worse if you're the one who saw it"

I nodded at her she is correct I'm glad I'm a guy

Meanwhile, Mina had already scooted over to Wenalin’s side and was clinging to her arm, clearly enjoying the chaos. Wenalin didn’t push her away—she never did—but she did grab a fork and feed Mina a bite from her plate without looking, like it was the most normal thing in the world. Mina just grinned smugly, like she had won some kind of silent couple battle no one else was playing.

I sank deeper into my chair, praying they’d change the topic. But of course, they didn’t.

“So,” Yara said, tilting her head with an evil smile. “Was he… hot?”

“Yeah!” I laugh awkwardly

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