“Mommmmm! I’m leaving! I’ll miss the bus if I stay even a second longer for the pancakes!” I shouted, already halfway out the door, backpack slung over one shoulder, shoes still slightly untied.

From the kitchen, my mother’s voice rang out—half stern, half amused. “Son—wait! You didn’t even finish your—”

“No time, Mom!” i called back, grinning. “Love you, bye!”

The front door slammed shut with a light thud, and i was gone, feet pounding against the sidewalk as i darted past familiar trees, barking dogs, and the quiet murmur of early morning.

The morning air was crisp, biting gently at my cheeks as i ran, weaving between passersby and ignoring the ache forming in my calves. The city was already waking up: cars honking impatiently, café doors opening, newspapers being unfolded under flickering neon signs.

I could see the top of the school bus just ahead, its engine grumbling, preparing to roll off.

“Please don’t leave yet, please don’t leave yet...” i muttered under my breath, pushing my legs harder.

And then—

Collision.

Hard.

I slammed chest-first into another body so suddenly I barely had time to brace for impact. My balance faltered, feet stumbling backward—

—but before gravity could claim me, strong hands shot out and gripped my waist, steadying me.

“Whoa—hey, you okay?” a voice asked, low and calm, with genuine concern beneath the words.

I blinked, momentarily stunned. My heart was already racing from the run, but now it was galloping wildly for an entirely different reason.

I looked up.

One word surfaced in my mind.

Gorgeous.

The boy—no, the man—standing before him had soft, tousled hair kissed golden by the sun, warm hazel eyes flecked with something mischievous, and a jawline sculpted by gods or genetics, or both. His hands were still lightly resting on my waist.

“Y-Yeah,” I finally managed, breathless—not from the sprint anymore, but from him. “Sorry—I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, half-embarrassed, half-flustered.

The stranger grinned, revealing a row of perfect teeth. There was something magnetic about that smile—easy, unbothered, yet confident in a way that made my thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind.

“It’s alright,” the boy said. “No harm done.”

He didn’t move away. Neither did I.

“What’s your name?” the stranger asked, his voice softer now.

I hesitated for a moment before answering, my lips curving upward unconsciously. “North,” he said. “North Irawan.”

The boy’s smile widened, his eyes lighting up in a way that made me feel… seen.

“Johan,” he said, extending his hand. “Johan Armani.”

We shook hands, but neither of us seemed to want to let go.

And in that split second—amid the rush of city sounds, the distant rumble of the bus, and the frantic pulse in my veins—something subtle shifted. A connection. A thread neither of them fully understood yet, but one that would tug at them for years to come.

“Nice to meet you, North,” He said, voice almost teasing now.

I nodded, my cheeks still burning. “You too, Johan.”

In the background, the bus honked twice before pulling away.

None of us noticed.

~the end~

___________________

Authors note :-

The story is over 🙂‍↕️

Originally as I said earlier i planned to make 2 series of this book but the first book was like sunshine x mafia thingy that i really would hate writing a whole book about just for the twist and cliffhanger.
So I wrote it short and simple.
This is why part 1 is shorter than part 2 ( i am biased )

The ending can be satisfactory for a few and unsatisfactory for others.

I had 3 ways to end this story. I did a pole on my conversation for everybody to choose.

Nonetheless , writing this was a complete new experience for me bcs u see I always write this cute fluffy happy ending kind of  thing so it was really new for me.

Do let me know your opinions.

Just so yk ur comments really and really motivates me . It makes me feel like "yayyy I did a good job *pat myself* "

Lots of love for everybody

Take care
Focus on your health , your love , your family
Life is unpredictable so enjoy every moment of it 🩷