#calebxreader

“No money?” she sneered, gaze dropping to Y/N’s bandaged ankle. “Then bring some tomorrow, cripple.”

Y/N’s face burned. She couldn’t even lift her head.

Tara started crying then—mumbling apologies, saying she had no choice, that they’d threatened her first. The words blurred together, dull and distant. Disappointment settled heavier than fear.

“Go home,” Y/N said finally, voice quiet but firm. “Tell your parents. Tell the school.”

She didn’t wait for a response.

She turned and limped away alone.

“Y/N.”

The voice cut through the alley like a blade.

She stopped instantly.

Caleb stood at the entrance, chest rising fast, hair damp with sweat, eyes dark with worry.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

She shook her head. Her throat tightened, words stuck somewhere between shame and exhaustion.

His gaze dropped.

To her scraped, reddened hand.

“…Did someone bully you?”

“No.” The word came out too fast. Too thin.

Caleb didn’t argue. Didn’t press. He simply waited.

That was what broke her.

Her shoulders sagged, tears spilling before she could stop them. She turned her face away, embarrassed by how small she must look right now.

“They took my wallet,” she whispered. “And… they tapped my cheek.”

Her voice cracked.

“The hand was an accident,” she added quickly, as if she needed to defend herself.

Caleb’s jaw tightened.

“A classmate brought me,” Y/N said softly. “She was scared.”

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, calm and steady. “You need to stay away from her for now.”

She nodded.

“And you have to tell your parents,” he continued. “Always.”

“…You’re not mad?” she asked, barely audible.

He looked at her—really looked at her. “Why would I be?”

Carefully, he helped her onto his bike, as if afraid of hurting her again.

The ride home was quiet.

Wind brushed against her face, cooling her tear-stained cheeks. She held onto the back of his jacket, fingers curled tightly in the fabric, grounding herself in the simple fact that he was here.

“Zayne’s busy,” Caleb said when she finally spoke. “Graduation stuff.”

“Are you going back to Yihe?” she asked after a moment.

“Not sure,” he replied. “Nanwu’s not bad.”

At her gate, he pressed folded bills into her palm.

“For what they took.”

“I’ll pay you back—”

“Tell your parents everything,” he interrupted gently. “That’s enough.”

She nodded, eyes stinging again.

He waited until she was safely inside before turning away.

That night, Y/N lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Her heart still hurt—but it felt warm too, like something fragile had been placed carefully in her hands.

She opened her diary.

October 27I think I’m in love with him.Caleb Xia is too handsome.

Flustered by her own honesty, she folded the page into a star and dropped it into her wish bottle.

She didn’t know what the future held.

But she knew one thing—

She wanted to grow up faster.

The next day, Zayne showed up at Y/N’s school, with Caleb and Gideon right behind him.

He barely glanced at her. “Lead the way.”

Y/N swallowed and turned, limping slightly as she guided them toward the alley.

“No one messes with my family,” Zayne said, jaw tight.

When they spotted the girls, he stopped short. “They’re… girls.”

Gideon rubbed his temple. “Four guys versus three girls? Yeah. Not a good look.”

After a brief pause, Zayne went alone, leaving Caleb behind.

Caleb shifted closer to Y/N, lowering his voice. “You okay?”

She nodded, though her fingers curled into her sleeve.

Minutes later, Zayne returned, tossing fifty yuan into her hands.

“Got it back,” he said flatly. “Told them to study instead of being trash.”

Y/N blinked, then looked at Caleb. “What did you say?”

He shrugged. “Told them I’ve got a monthly quota for killing people.”

Her cheeks puffed up. “You’re lying.”

He laughed softly. “Pufferfish.”

Gideon grinned, glancing between them. “Honestly? She looks more like your sister than Zayne’s.”

Y/N said nothing—but she didn’t disagree.

Later that day, news spread quickly.

Tara had transferred schools.

An apology note sat neatly on Y/N’s desk. She stared at it for a moment before folding it carefully and slipping it away, her expression unreadable.

That evening, her parents reviewed her grades.

Her father tapped the paper. “Physics?”

“I hate it,” Y/N muttered.

Her mother didn’t budge. “Then we’ll get you a tutor.”

When the tutor turned out to be Zayne, the lesson lasted exactly ten minutes.

“You’re not even listening!” Zayne snapped.

“You’re impossible to talk to!” Y/N shot back.

They shouted in unison, “CHANGE THE TUTOR.”

The next morning, her mom announced calmly, “New tutor. Ten a.m.”

Y/N smiled sweetly—already planning to sneak out early.

Across the city, Caleb leaned back at work as a colleague mentioned a possible transfer to Yihe.

“I’ll think about it,” he replied.

Zayne clapped him on the shoulder. “Before that—do me a favor. Pick up my sister tomorrow.”

Caleb nodded without much thought.

He had no idea that the so-called difficult student waiting for a tutor…

…would be Y/N.

Caleb Xia stood by the stove, sleeves rolled to his elbows, steam curling lazily around him as he lifted a bowl of instant noodles from the pot. Two sausages lay neatly on top, an egg balanced carefully like it belonged there. It looked… intentional. Like he’d thought about it.

Her brain blanked.

“…Why is he here?” she whispered.

Zayne didn’t even look apologetic. “Because he’s your tutor.”

Her head snapped toward Caleb. “You’re—”

“Morning,” Caleb said easily, glancing at her. “You sleep a lot.”

“I do not!”

“Zayne tried waking you up three times,” he added.

“That’s slander!”

Zayne scoffed. “You sleep like the dead.”

Caleb set the bowl down in front of her. “Eat first. Physics later.”

She sat without realizing she’d moved.

Somewhere between the steam, the food, and the fact that Caleb Xia was standing in her kitchen, tutoring suddenly didn’t seem like the worst thing in the world.

After breakfast, Zayne and Caleb collapsed onto the couch, controllers in hand, fully absorbed in a game.

“Should I get my books?” Y/N asked hesitantly.

“Rest,” Caleb replied, eyes still on the screen. “This round’s almost done.”

She nodded and wandered to the table, trying not to stare.

That was when she noticed a document lying there.

A resume.

She picked it up, curiosity winning.

Her gaze skimmed down the page until she stopped.

Caleb Xia.

So those were the characters of his name.

She traced them silently, realizing she’d never known how to write it properly. No photo attached. Just words. Clean. Simple.

She hesitated… then slowly lifted her phone.

Just one picture.

“Want me to pose?”

She nearly dropped it.

Caleb had already turned around, leaning slightly, smiling straight at her camera like he’d been waiting.

Flustered, she blurted the first thing that came to mind. “My classmate thinks my brother is handsome!”

Zayne glanced over. “She needs glasses.”

Caleb laughed softly. “At her age, pride matters.”

Y/N’s ears burned as she looked away.

Later, she changed Caleb’s contact name in her phone—once, twice—before settling on something painfully normal.

Caleb appeared beside her with a slice of watermelon.

“Trade,” he said lightly. “Show me the photos.”

“I deleted them.”

“If they’re ugly, I’ll let you take more.”

Her heart skipped. She shoved her physics book at him instead. “Teach me.”

“I don’t get physics,” Y/N admitted quietly, staring at the page. “Especially conservation of energy.”

Caleb didn’t rush her. He nodded, pulled a pen closer, and said, “Then we start from zero.”

His explanations were slow, patient. He didn’t sound annoyed. Didn’t sigh when she asked the same question twice.

“I tutor three days a week,” he mentioned casually. “The other four, I intern.”

“Can you tutor me every day?” she asked before she could stop herself.

He laughed. “You’ll get tired of me.”

“I won’t.”

He didn’t tease her for that.

Another tutoring day, Caleb arrived late.

Y/N noticed it the moment he stepped inside—his shoulders slightly slumped, movements slower than usual, the faint shadow beneath his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“You worked late?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he replied, setting his bag down.

She watched him for a second longer than she meant to. He looked tired in a way that wasn’t dramatic—just worn down, like someone who kept pushing because stopping wasn’t an option.

Without thinking too hard about it, she slid her workbook across the table. “Then sleep.”

He paused. “What?”

“I’ll do the problems,” she said quickly. “You can check them later.”

Caleb raised an eyebrow. “You’re trying to slack off.”

“Only a little,” she admitted.

A beat passed. Then he sighed, the corner of his mouth lifting faintly. “You’re bold.”

Still, he lay down on the couch, one arm thrown over his eyes as if the light bothered him. Within minutes, his breathing evened out.

Y/N stared at her physics book… then glanced at him.

Caleb Xia, asleep.

She’d never seen him like this before—unguarded, quiet, the sharpness in his expression softened. His lashes cast faint shadows against his cheeks. For once, he wasn’t teasing her, or explaining concepts she didn’t understand, or walking one step ahead of her like he always did.

He was just there.

She bent over her work, pencil moving slowly. Every now and then, her eyes drifted back to him—checking, as if to make sure he was still breathing, still real.

He works too hard, she thought.

When he stirred slightly, she froze, heart jumping—but he only turned his head and slept on.

Later, when he woke, she pushed the book toward him.

“I still don’t like physics,” she admitted quietly. “It doesn’t stick.”

Caleb sat up, rubbing his eyes. He looked at her work, then at her face.

He didn’t look annoyed.

He looked thoughtful.

“Then,” he said slowly, “we’ll find a reason for you to like it.”

Y/N nodded.

She didn’t realize it yet—but somewhere between watching him sleep and hearing him say we, physics had stopped being the hardest thing in the room.

That was how they ended up at the Linkon Museum of Science and Technology.

Zayne paid for three tickets, then pocketed the change without a second thought. “I’m going to a cyber café,” he said dismissively, shaking his head. “That place is for kids.”

Y/N watched him leave, feeling a little left out, but Caleb was right there beside her, calm and patient. He guided her through the exhibits, explaining the curved slide, tsunamis, and thermoelectric sensing, turning abstract physics concepts into things she could touch, see, and understand.

“Study hard,” Caleb said gently, his voice quiet but firm. “Your future dreams depend on it.”

“I’ll find one,” Y/N said suddenly, more to herself than to him. “Like you.”

He smiled, noticing the small sketches she had been doodling of the exhibits. “You’re good at drawing. Don’t stop.”

As they paused near a bright overhead light, Y/N noticed flower-shaped shadows dancing across the floor, cast by a decorative screen. She reached down instinctively, tracing them with her fingers, and Caleb crouched slightly to watch her, his presence warm and reassuring.

“Look at how they move with the light,” she whispered. “It’s like they’re alive.”

Caleb nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Sometimes, the world shows you patterns in the smallest things. Remember that—you can find beauty even in the details.”

Y/N felt her chest tighten slightly, not just from the shadows, but from the way Caleb’s words and calm attention made her feel safe and inspired all at once.

On the ride back from the museum, Y/N sat quietly on the bike, the evening air cool against her flushed cheeks. Her heart had been racing ever since they’d left the interactive exhibits, and finally, the words tumbled out before she could stop herself.

“Don’t… date,” she blurted, voice barely above a whisper.

Caleb blinked at her, one hand steadying the bike, the other brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “What?” His tone was gentle, patient, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity—he wanted her to explain.

Y/N hesitated, twisting her fingers in the folds of her jacket. “What if dating… ruins your dreams?” Her voice wavered slightly. “And… what if she doesn’t treat me well?”

Caleb laughed softly, the sound warm and comforting, a little like sunlight breaking through clouds. “If I ever date, I’ll choose someone gentle,” he said. His eyes, serious now, met hers. “Someone who treats you well.”

Her mouth fell open slightly. “…Can I meet her first?”

He chuckled and nodded. “Of course.”

The silence that followed was comfortable, filled only with the hum of the evening and the faint rhythm of the bike wheels against the pavement. Y/N felt a small, fluttering relief in her chest, though she didn’t let herself smile too widely—she still felt a little embarrassed by her own childish worry.

Soon after, Zayne arrived to pick her up, glancing at her with his usual mix of exasperation and care. “Ready to go?” he asked, voice clipped but not unkind. Y/N climbed onto his bike without a word, her mind still tangled in thoughts of Caleb’s promise.

That night, once she was safely in her room, Y/N realized her sketchbook was missing. Panic fluttered in her chest as she remembered leaving it at the museum, alongside all the drawings she’d made of Caleb. She bit her lip, feeling suddenly vulnerable—what if he had seen them all?

The next day, Zayne appeared at the door with a slightly awkward expression, holding out the sketchbook. “Here. Caleb dropped it off on his way to work.”

Y/N took it from him, her fingers trembling slightly as she hugged it to her chest. Her cheeks burned, a mix of embarrassment and the strange thrill of knowing Caleb had handled it. Without thinking, she tried to shove it into a drawer, hiding it away.

“Why are you trying to throw it away?” Zayne frowned, stepping closer. His eyes narrowed, protective and curious at once.

Y/N avoided his gaze, muttering, “I… I don’t want him to see it. It’s nothing.”

Zayne didn’t push her further. Instead, he shook his head slightly, exasperated but understanding, and handed her the sketchbook again. “If it’s important to you, don’t destroy it.”

Y/N held it close, a small sigh escaping her lips. Inside, among the sketches of everyday objects and landscapes, were the careful, tentative drawings of Caleb—drawn with admiration she wasn’t ready to confess. And though she told herself it was just art, her heart felt heavier and lighter at the same time, tangled with a feeling she didn’t yet have words for.

Zayne stormed into Caleb Xia’s dorm, his face a mixture of panic and exasperation. “My sister—Y/n—she’s online dating!” he burst out, voice rising as he waved his hands. “She’s talking to someone, and I don’t even know who! You need to stop her tutoring sessions immediately. She can’t be left alone like this!”

Caleb, lounging casually on the couch with a half-finished cup of tea, only sighed. He leaned back, crossing his arms, eyes calm yet sharp. “Zayne,” he said, his voice even, “take a breath. This is completely normal. Don’t scare her.”

Zayne froze, disbelief written all over his face. “Normal? She’s sneaking around, whispering online, pretending to have a boyfriend! She’s barely thirteen!”

Caleb’s expression softened, and he leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. “Yes, it’s normal. Curiosity, crushes, a little excitement—this is all part of growing up. She doesn’t need you controlling her every move. She needs guidance, patience, and trust.”

Zayne ran a hand through his hair, still frowning. “But… how do I know she won’t get hurt? Or make a mistake?”

Caleb gave a small, reassuring smile. “She will make mistakes. That’s how she learns. The best way to protect her isn’t to smother her—it’s to be there when she needs you. Talk to her reasonably, explain things clearly, but let her feel safe enough to make her own choices.”

Zayne’s shoulders slumped slightly. The fiery frustration in his eyes dimmed as he realized Caleb’s point was valid. Caleb leaned back, picking up a notebook, casually adding, “Trust me. She’s stronger than you think. And if she ever needs advice, you can be the one she comes to.”

Zayne huffed softly, muttering under his breath, but he felt a flicker of relief. For the first time, he understood that sometimes letting Y/n navigate her feelings—carefully, with support—was better than trying to control her.

Caleb sipped his tea, eyes on the window as the evening light faded. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to finish. But remember, Zayne… trust your sister a little. She’ll surprise you.”

Zayne nodded reluctantly, finally understanding that Caleb wasn’t dismissing his concern—he was teaching him to guide wisely.

At the next tutoring session, Y/N decided she would act first—before he could bring up anything else.

She sat at the desk with her shoulders slumped, eyes fixed on the corner of her notebook, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve. When Caleb arrived, she didn’t greet him like usual. She didn’t even look up.

Caleb noticed immediately.

He didn’t ask about her homework. Didn’t tease her for zoning out. Instead, he pulled out a chair and sat across from her, his voice softer than usual. “You okay today?”

That was her cue.

Y/N sniffed, lowering her head even more. “I’m… fine,” she said, though her voice cracked just enough to sound convincing. “Just tired.”

Caleb studied her for a moment. He didn’t expose the lie. Didn’t smile knowingly. He simply nodded, as if he understood more than she was saying.

After a pause, he spoke gently. “About that thing your brother mentioned…” He kept his tone careful, nonjudgmental. “I won’t tell your parents.”

Y/N’s fingers stilled.

“But,” he continued, “relationships can wait. You’re still young. There’s no rush to figure everything out right now.”

She swallowed, her chest feeling strangely tight.

“I know,” she whispered.

And she did know. Every word made sense. It was reasonable. Responsible. The kind of advice adults were supposed to give. She hated that he was right—because it meant there was no excuse for the way her heart still leaned toward him.

Caleb leaned back slightly, giving her space. “Your family worries because they care. And one day, when you’re older, you’ll get to choose for yourself. Freely.”

Y/N nodded again, staring at the page in front of her, even though she wasn’t really seeing it.

Inside, though, her thoughts were anything but calm.

She knew she shouldn’t like him this way. She knew it was temporary. She knew this feeling would probably fade with time.

But knowing didn’t stop it.

She still liked the way he explained things patiently. The way he spoke to her like she mattered. The way he never laughed at her feelings—even when they were messy and inconvenient.

Y/N pressed her lips together, forcing herself not to cry.

She understood everything he said.

She just couldn’t stop liking him anyway.