Chapter 14: The ride back home

As they reached the parking lot, Felix looked around and groaned dramatically. "Okay, genius, how are we supposed to get home? We don't have a car, and there's no way I'm walking two hours back to the dorm. Do I look like the type to walk that far?!"

Kelvin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course, you're not walking. Heaven forbid Diva Felix breaks a sweat." He rolled his eyes before pulling out his phone.

Felix crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at Kelvin. "Who are you calling?"

Kelvin didn't answer right away, his fingers tapping away on the screen. He waited a moment before someone picked up on the other end. "Hey. Yo, I need you to bring a car and pick us up. I'll send you the location."

Felix's curiosity peaked, and he leaned closer. "Who's that? You've got a secret chauffeur or something?"

Kelvin hung up and shoved his phone back into his pocket. "It's my little brother. He owes me a favor, so he's coming to get us."

Felix blinked, tilting his head. "You have a little brother? Since when?"

Kelvin gave him a flat look. "Since the day he was born, Felix. That's usually how it works."

Felix opened his mouth to fire back a sarcastic comment but decided against it, instead muttering under his breath, "Well, I guess this day just keeps getting weirder."

As they stood in the parking lot waiting, Felix rocked back and forth on his heels, clearly bored out of his mind. He glanced at Kelvin and smirked. "So, what's your little brother's name? Or are you gonna keep that a secret too?"

Kelvin glanced at him briefly. "Kylian. He's twenty."

Felix nodded slowly. "Kylian, huh? Sounds cool. So… what's he like? Is he as boring as you, or does he actually have a personality?"

Kelvin turned to him, clearly offended. "Excuse me? What do you mean, 'as boring as me'? I do not have a bad personality."

Felix hummed, pretending to think hard about his answer. "Hmm… I wouldn't say bad exactly… more like… dry toast. It gets the job done, but no one's excited about it."

Kelvin scoffed. "Dry toast? I'm literally the most exciting person you know."

Felix snorted. "Sure, you are. And I'm the Tooth Fairy."

Kelvin crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. "For someone who claims to be so interesting, you sure can't survive a two-hour walk. That's diva behavior right there."

Felix gasped dramatically. "Diva behavior? Excuse me for not wanting to turn into a sweaty mess. I have standards."

"Standards or laziness?" Kelvin shot back, a teasing smirk forming.

"Both!" Felix said proudly. "At least I own it, unlike someone who acts all serious but secretly loves mobile games and probably sings in the shower."

Kelvin shook his head, laughing under his breath. "You're ridiculous."

"And yet, you're still here with me," Felix teased, grinning.

The playful banter continued, their voices bouncing off the empty parking lot as they waited for Kylian to arrive.

-

Soon, the quiet of the parking lot was interrupted by the low, smooth purr of an engine.

Felix's eyes widened as a sleek, black Maybach GLS 600 rolled up to them. His jaw almost hit the floor. "What the… okay, rich boy," he muttered under his breath, glancing at Kelvin, who looked completely unfazed.

When the car stopped, the driver's door opened, and out stepped a boy who looked like he just walked out of an action movie. He wore ripped black jeans, a leather jacket with silver studs, and a plain white t-shirt that clung to his toned frame. A chain hung from his pocket, and his combat boots looked like they'd seen a few fights. His long black hair was tied up in a messy ponytail, a few loose strands falling over his face, giving him an effortlessly cool vibe.

Felix blinked, then raised an eyebrow at Kelvin. "That's your little brother? He looks like he runs a gang."

Kelvin ignored him, walking up to the boy. The two of them did a quick, casual handshake, the kind that only brothers who were close could pull off.

"Hey, Ky," Kelvin said.

Kylian smirked. "You called me all the way out here for this? I thought it was an emergency." Then his eyes flicked to Felix, and the smirk grew wider. "Well, well, who's this?"

Kelvin sighed. "This is Felix. Felix, meet my little brother, Kylian."

Felix stepped forward and gave a small wave. "Hey. Thanks for coming to save us."

Kylian tilted his head, looking Felix up and down in a way that was… not subtle. "No problem at all. Anything for my big brother's friend. Or… maybe more than a friend?" He winked.

Felix laughed, feeling a little awkward but mostly amused. "You're smooth, I'll give you that."

Kelvin's jaw tightened as he stepped between them. "Okay, Kylian. Cut it out."

Kylian just grinned, clearly enjoying his brother's reaction. "What? I'm just being friendly."

"Yeah, too friendly," Kelvin muttered under his breath, grabbing the car door and motioning for Felix to get in.

Felix raised his hands in surrender, sliding into the back seat with a smirk. "Relax, Kelvin. Your brother's just got charm, unlike you."

Kylian laughed as he got into the driver's seat. "I like this guy. You've got good taste, big bro."

Kelvin groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was going to be a long ride home.

As they settled into the car, Kylian turned on the stereo. The heavy bass and beats of Odetari filled the car, making the atmosphere shift. Felix immediately perked up.

"Oh, you listen to Odetari?" Felix asked, leaning forward from the back seat, his eyes lighting up.

Kylian glanced at him in the rearview mirror, smirking. "Big fan. You?"

Felix nodded enthusiastically. "Are you kidding? I love this style. It's chaotic but still so… balanced. There's something about it that just gets you hyped."

"Exactly!" Kylian said, grinning. "Finally, someone who gets it. Most people just say it's too loud or weird."

The two of them started talking like old friends, naming their favorite songs, debating which album was better, and even imitating some of the beats with their voices, laughing the whole time.

Meanwhile, Kelvin sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window with a stiff expression. He wasn't really mad… okay, maybe he was, but it wasn't like he could stop them from bonding. Still, every time Felix laughed at one of Kylian's jokes or agreed with one of his points, Kelvin felt a little spark of irritation.

At one point, Felix leaned forward and playfully nudged Kylian's shoulder. "You've got good taste, Kylian. Honestly, I didn't expect that."

Kylian glanced back with a cheeky grin. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises. Unlike some people." He shot a quick look at Kelvin, who let out a sharp sigh.

Felix caught that and smirked. "Kelvin, you okay? You've been awfully quiet."

Kelvin forced a tight smile. "I'm fine. Just enjoying the music."

Felix leaned back in his seat, clearly enjoying Kelvin's reaction. "Good, because this playlist is a vibe."

Kelvin didn't respond, but the way his hand gripped his knee said plenty. It was going to be a very long ride.

The car stopped in front of Rune's dorm, and Felix hopped out first, stretching his arms above his head like he'd just come back from a four-hour workout. Kelvin followed, his face still unreadable, and then Kylian stepped out too.

"Alright, this is your stop," Kylian said casually, leaning against the car. "Try not to miss me too much, Felix."

Felix chuckled, waving him off. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Too late," Kylian replied with a smirk, giving them a lazy two-finger salute before sliding back into the car. Felix waved a little, and Kylian sped off like he had somewhere cooler to be.

Kelvin didn't even glance at the car as it disappeared, instead huffing under his breath and stomping toward the door. But before he could reach the handle, Felix grabbed his arm.

"Hey," Felix said, his voice curious but firm. "You good?"

Kelvin didn't turn around. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Felix raised a brow. "You don't look fine."

"I said I'm good, Felix." Kelvin yanked his arm back and tried to head inside, but Felix wasn't about to let it slide.

Before Kelvin could take another step, Felix stepped in front of him, blocking the door. He placed his hands around Kelvin's neck—not tightly, just enough to make Kelvin freeze. Then Felix leaned closer, his lips curving into a mischievous, almost sinister smile.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Felix asked, his voice low and teasing. "Because you look like someone who's about to snap."

Kelvin's eyes widened slightly. "What the hell are you doing?"

Felix tilted his head, his fingers lightly drumming against the back of Kelvin's neck. "You're acting weird, and I don't like it. So, tell me—what's wrong?"

Kelvin was tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You're crazy, you know that?"

Felix's smile grew. "Maybe. But you're stuck with me anyway."

Kelvin groaned and pushed Felix's hands away, his face slightly flushed. "I'm going inside."

Felix just laughed, stepping aside with a shrug. "Suit yourself. But don't think I'm letting this go, Kelvin. You can't escape me."

Kelvin muttered something under his breath and walked inside, leaving Felix standing at the door, smirking to himself.