CLMO 07

Chapter 7

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Sian took a step back, overwhelmed by the dazzling smile before her.

“He said I had nothing to worry about, and now he’s launching a full-on attack with his face?!”

It was a blatant lie.

“My parents call me Sian, but you can call me Sienna… if that’s easier.”

Technically, they were her adoptive parents, but she simply called them Mom and Dad. They preferred it that way.

She clutched her racing heart like she had just sprinted a marathon and spit the words out like a machine gun. At that, Blay’s eyes softened into crescents.

“God, I wish he wouldn’t smile like that.”

It was hazardous to her health—far too dangerous for her heart. She even felt like she needed to regulate his smiling somehow.

Clueless about her inner turmoil, Blay dropped a bombshell with the same warm smile.

“Sian.”

The way her name rolled off his tongue inside the quiet club room made her mind go blank for a second.

She’d heard her name a thousand times before, but somehow, hearing it from his lips made her feel… different.

Like she was the only person in the world.

“Did I say it right?”

Blay held her gaze and asked gently.

Snapping back to her senses, Sian nodded rapidly.

“Y-Yeah, that’s right.”

“Sian. Sian,” he repeated a couple more times to himself before grinning.

“You can call me Blay, too.”

“T-Thank you…”

There wasn’t really anything to be thankful for, but the way he said it—like a king granting mercy—made her blurt it out instinctively.

“Well, it’s probably not a bad idea to stay on my brother’s friend’s good side.”

Thinking of her elusive brother again, Sian reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of caramels.

Her favorite. Her emergency stash.

She bravely grabbed a generous handful and dumped them into Blay’s hand.

“What’s this?”

“A gift to celebrate our new friendship.”

“Friendship?”

“I gave you plenty, so make sure to share with a friend, okay?”

Blay couldn’t help but chuckle at the way she earnestly insisted he share.

He was the youngest grandson of the powerful Williams family and had been raised like royalty.

And here she was, offering him cheap candy.

“Interesting.”

Maybe it was because he hadn’t seen her around since preschool, but everything about her felt new and refreshing.

He had a good feeling—like she might become his favorite source of entertainment until graduation.

“Wanna join our club?”

Since he’d accepted the “bribe,” he figured he might as well offer her something in return.

Sure, Ian was the club president, but Blay was confident he could talk him into it.

It was a confident proposal, but Sian’s response was lukewarm.

“Ian probably wouldn’t like that…”

She shivered slightly, remembering the cold glare he’d given her.

Becoming a cheerleader was fine—it kept her at a safe distance from the football players.

But joining the same club as him?

He might see that as invading his space.

She’d already stopped trying to sign up for the same electives just in case.

Sian shook her head firmly.

“I want to focus on becoming a cheerleader right now.”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be better if you were both a cheerleader and a club member?”

Blay tilted his head, genuinely confused.

“If I get too close, he’ll just get stressed.”

Sian knew when to step forward—and when to back off.

So she politely turned him down.

“If I don’t make the cheer team… then I’ll think about it.”

“…Alright.”

He’d expected her to be thrilled and jump at the chance, so her reaction was unexpected.

“So even stalkers have boundaries, huh?”

He liked that. She wasn’t clingy.

Blay gave her another bright smile.

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Before the Lunch Break Ended

Ian was already seated in the classroom when a commotion drew his attention.

“Blay, where’ve you been? You weren’t in the cafeteria earlier.”

“Were you off having a secret date or something?”

At the center of the commotion, of course, was Blay.

He brushed off the clingy admirers with a flick of the hand and pulled out a chair next to Ian.

He’d said he was going to nap in the club room, but now he looked oddly excited.

Ian stared at him and asked flatly, “Did you take something?”

It was an open secret that some students popped Adderall not for medical reasons, but to boost focus for studying.

Blay scoffed, visibly offended, and Ian let his suspicions go.

To be fair, Blay had no reason to push himself academically.

Unlike Ian’s adoptive parents, Blay’s family only wanted one thing from their youngest heir—his health.

“I had something even better.”

“What?”

Blay’s cryptic comment made Ian frown.

“Better than drugs?”

If Blay had done something reckless, Ian wouldn’t be off the hook either.

They weren’t just casual friends.

From the moment they were introduced by their parents, Ian instinctively knew his role.

If Blay was the prince, Ian was the knight standing at his side.

He didn’t resent it. Their relationship wasn’t bad, all things considered.

But Ian never forgot his place—and couldn’t.

“What’s this?”

“Caramel.”

Ian stared in disbelief at the candy suddenly shoved under his nose.

“Where’d you get this? You don’t even like sweets.”

“Forget it if you don’t want it.”

When Ian made no move to take it, Blay swiftly snatched it back.

Sian had told him to share it, but… he just didn’t feel like it.

Ian’s suspicion only deepened.

Blay hated sweets. He would never buy caramels himself.

And he definitely wouldn’t accept random snacks from others.

He always turned down things like homemade cookies or chocolates.

“I got it from my stalker. We met earlier.”

“Stalker?”

Ian blinked, confused—until the pieces fell into place.

“No way…”

There was only one girl Blay had shown interest in lately.

“I told you not to mess with her.”

He snapped, unexpectedly furious.

Then he immediately shut his mouth, realizing he’d overreacted.

But it was too late.

“Why did I say that?”

It wasn’t like she was his real sister—just some girl pretending to be one.

Maybe it’s because she’s the same age as my sister would’ve been.

As Ian rationalized his outburst, Blay remained completely unfazed.

“She came to me first. I didn’t do anything.”

Now he’s calling her by name? What’s next, an engagement announcement?

Ian grumbled internally and asked,

“She came to you? Where?”

“In front of the club room. Somehow, she figured out what club I’m in.”

Blay puffed his chest, obviously pleased with himself, but Ian saw right through it.

The girl had probably come looking for him again—and ran into Blay by chance.

“She might want me to be her homecoming date. What should I do?”

Despite the fake concern in his voice, Blay looked like he was having a blast.

Ian sighed.

He knew Blay would talk big and then just pick some random girl to attend with like always.

He was glad he’d holed up in the library during lunch.

If he’d run into her again, he might’ve started listening to her… and worse, believing her.

“She didn’t go to see you.”

But even after that firm statement, Blay gave Ian a suspicious look.

“Don’t tell me… you’re jealous?”

Ian stared at him, horrified.

Jealous? Of him?

Jealousy was a luxury reserved for equals.

And there was no mistaking the gap between them.

“That’s not it.”

“Sure, sure.”

Blay gave an exaggerated, theatrical sigh.

“I get it. All the girls love me. It must be tough being you.”

“……”

“But take it from me: being adored by everyone isn’t all sunshine and roses. Trust me.”

Ian clenched his fist.

Maybe if he punched him once, that ridiculous mouth would finally shut up.

After poking fun at Ian to his heart’s content, Blay finally broached the real topic.

“We need new club members. Can I pick one?”

“Who?”

“My stalker.”

Ian’s expression hardened.

Even more than when Blay said he met her.

“What are you thinking? You want to bring your stalker into the club?”

Blay raised an eyebrow at the unexpectedly harsh reaction.

“She’s interesting.”

“You’re insane.”

Ian relaxed, the tension leaving his shoulders.

He hadn’t cooled off—he’d just lost the will to argue.

“But what if she really does ask me to be her homecoming date? What if she cries when I turn her down?”

As Blay continued spouting nonsense, Ian just turned his head and tuned him out.

Conveniently, the teacher walked in then.

Class began, but Blay rested his chin in one hand, lost in thought.

About a stalker who smelled sweet like caramel… and followed him around.

“If I can’t get her into the club, maybe I’ll just invite her to the party.”

Even if Ian disapproved, Blay had no intention of giving up his new source of amusement.

He popped one of the caramels into his mouth.

It was sweet, just like he expected.

And as his hand covered his mouth, a faint smile crept across his lips.