Pretend like you hate me
Chapter 12 - Escaping to the cafe (1.4k)
The lecture ended with the familiar sound of laptops closing and chairs scraping across the floor. Professor Lee gathered his notes before looking up at the class.
“Don’t forget.”
“The project proposal is due next week.”
A chorus of groans echoed through the lecture hall.
“I’ll see all of you on Wednesday.”
Within seconds, students began filing toward the exit. Karina slipped her notebook into her bag.“I have another lecture.”
Sungchan checked his phone. “So do I.”
Y/N sighed. “I’ve got a free period.”
“Must be nice,” Karina said.
“I’ll let you know after I spend it stressing over this project.”
Sungchan laughed. “You’ll be fine.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to.”
Karina smiled. “See you later?”
“The café?”
“Obviously.”
“See you.”
The three walked out of the lecture hall together. As soon as they reached the hallway, Karina and Sungchan turned toward the staircase leading to their next class.
“Don’t disappear,” Sungchan called over his shoulder. “No promises.” Y/N watched them disappear into the crowd before adjusting the strap of her bag.
She had barely taken a few steps—
“Y/N.”
She stopped.
Jay caught up to her with an easy smile.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
He shifted the folder under his arm.
“I was thinking…Since we’re partners we should probably get started soon.”
Y/N nodded politely. “Yeah.”
“I was just about to head somewhere.” she lied.
“What about tomorrow after class?”
She hesitated for a split second.
“I think I’m busy.” she lied again.
Jay smiled. “No worries.”
“The day after?”
“…I’ll have to check.”
“Just let me know.”
He pulled out his phone. “Did we exchange numbers already?”
“We did.”
“Right..I’ll text you later then.”
“Sounds good.”
He smiled once more before walking off down the hallway. Y/N watched him disappear into the crowd.
She let out a quiet sigh. There was nothing wrong with him. He hadn’t been rude. Or pushy. Or disrespectful.
He was just…
A little too much.
And somehow…
That was enough to make her want the next hour to herself. Without thinking twice, she turned toward the one place on campus she knew would always have decent coffee.
The café was quieter than usual.
Not empty—
Just quiet enough for the soft hum of conversations to blend with the sound of the espresso machine. Y/N stepped inside, automatically making her way to the counter.
“One iced latte, please.”
A few minutes later, drink in hand, she turned to look for a table.
Every single one was occupied. “…Seriously?”
She scanned the room one more time before her eyes landed on the table by the window.
Anton.
His laptop was open, a notebook lay beside it, and several sheets of music were neatly spread across the table. An iced americano sat next to his hand. As if sensing someone looking at him, he glanced up.
A small smile crossed his face.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Y/N looked around the café again.
“I think that’s the last free seat?”
Anton glanced at the empty chair across from him.
“I think it is.”
She laughed softly. “I guess today’s my lucky day.”
“Or unlucky.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“You’ll have to spend your break with me.”
“I think I’ll survive.”
“I’ll try not to make it too painful.”
“I appreciate that.”
She pulled out the chair and sat down, placing her latte beside her laptop. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward. It was the kind that naturally settled between two people who didn’t feel the need to fill every second with conversation. Anton closed the notebook he’d been reading.
“Finished with class?”
“Just now.”
“You?”
“I’ve been here for about an hour studying .”
Y/N looked at the pile of notes in front of him.
“Voluntarily?”
He looked up.
“…Yes.”
“That’s concerning.”
Anton laughed. “Coming from the person who practically lives in this café?”
“I come here for the coffee.”
“You also bring your laptop.”
“…That’s unrelated.”
“I’m not convinced.”
She smiled despite herself.
“You’ve been here a week and you’re already making observations.”
“I pay attention.”
“I noticed.”
Anton took another sip of his americano.
“So…”
“How’s the project?”
Y/N groaned immediately. “Can we not?”
“…That bad?”
She leaned back in her chair. “My partner already wants to plan everything.”
“I thought that was the point of a group project.”
“It is.”
“But we’ve barely been assigned.”
Anton smiled. “Someone’s enthusiastic.”
“That’s one way to put it. He already wanted to plan our entire schedule before we even left the lecture hall.”
Anton let out a quiet laugh. “Okay…”
“I can see why that’s a little much.”
“See?”
“I knew you’d understand eventually.”
“I’m not saying he’s wrong. I’m saying I’d probably wait a day or two.”
“Exactly.”
For the first time since leaving the lecture hall, Y/N felt herself relax.
Talking to Anton was…
Easy.
There was no pressure to keep the conversation going. No awkward pauses. Just small jokes between sips of coffee.
After a while, Anton glanced at the time on his phone. “I should get going.”
Y/N looked up. “Another class?”
He shook his head as he packed his laptop into his backpack. “Swimming practice.”
“You swim?”
He smiled. “I’d be a pretty bad member of the swim club if I didn’t.”
She laughed. “Fair point.”
“So you’re in one of the university clubs?”
“The swim team..yeah”
“That explains the schedule.”
“We train almost every afternoon.”
“Sounds exhausting.”
“It is.”
“So why do it?”
Anton thought for a second before smiling.
“I’ve been swimming for years. I guess it never really stopped feeling like home.”
Y/N nodded slowly. “That’s… actually kind of nice.” she said. He zipped up his backpack and stood. “What about you?”
“Any clubs?”
She shook her head. “Not this semester.”
“I’m trying to survive Professor Lee first.”
“…Smart choice.”
They left the café together, walking side by side until the path split in two. Anton nodded toward the sports complex. “Practice.”
Y/N pointed toward the Business building.
“I should probably pretend to work on my project.”
He smiled. “Good luck.”
She sighed dramatically. “I’m going to need it.”
“I believe in you.”
“You really shouldn’t.”
Anton laughed. “I’ll see you around.”
“Probably.”
They exchanged a small wave before heading in opposite directions.
Neither of them realized that these quiet coffee breaks were slowly becoming part of their routine.
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Author’s note: lol I finally had time to update. Enjoy!! Maybe I’ll do a double update today.
taglist: @emislove @wenoberry @oncyanii @rixieisfreaky @dreamiestay @jkeydiary @luvvyushii @jijiyi @winterbeartaehyungbestboy
