Chapter 2
Ellery’s POV
I was on my way home, ready to finally rest, but I decided to grab a drink first. I stopped by this shop—Poltik Milk Tea? What kind of name is that? Honestly, I need a new brain. Who’s selling?
I stepped inside and checked the menu. Corn dogs? Lasagna? What kind of milk tea shop is this?
"What's your order, ma’am?"
I looked up—and wow. The person behind the counter was stunning. Short hair, sharp features, but somehow soft at the same time.
"Um... one Black Forest milk tea, please. And three corn dogs, plus two boxes of lasagna. But only the milk tea is for dine-in," I said in one breath.
"Okay, ma’am! But it might take more than 25 minutes," she replied, also in one breath. Her voice? Adorable. Like, ridiculously adorable.
I told her I didn’t mind waiting. She walked off, and a second later, I got the weird feeling someone was watching me. But the place was empty except for me.
Shrugging it off, I opened Instagram and posted a quick story—just the shop’s name.
A little while later, the same girl returned.
"Here’s your drink, and your takeout’s in the paper bag. Here’s the receipt." She smiled politely, then walked away.
I still felt kind of weird, so I decided not to stay. I paid, grabbed my stuff, and headed out quickly.
"Strange shop..." I mumbled as I walked home.
---
When I got home, Neith was on the couch watching TV.
"Want some lasagna?" I asked, holding up the bag.
He grinned like a little kid. “Yes, please!”
"Where’s Dad?”
"Still busy with work.”
As we sat down to eat, he asked, “How was school?”
"Same as always. You?”
“Good. But don’t forget, you have a test tomorrow. Go study after this, alright?” he said, patting my head.
He really is the best twin. Always caring, always chill, even with my chaos.
Once I finished eating, I went up to my room and messaged our group chat:
---
Ellie:
Is anyone still alive in this GC?
Xeris:
Should I say 'present'?
Ember:
Nah, just be quiet.
Trixy:
HAHAHA shut up, you two. Lord of the Rabbits has an announcement!
Ellie:
@Trixy hope you finally move on from Heimez soon.
Trixy:
Rude!!
Ellie:
Was gonna say “good luck studying,” but never mind.
Eris:
Good luck, everyone. We got this!
Ember:
Same. Let’s do this.
Xeris:
I don’t need luck. Just snacks.
---
🐰 Bunny has removed 🐵 Monkey from the chat.
🕕 6:10 PM
---
Trixy:
...Umm?
Ember:
Lol, saw that coming.
Churie:
Let me know if she begs her way back.
Ellie:
Can we please just STUDY now?!
I turned off my phone, pulled out my math notes, and hit play on my Solify playlist. A while later, I got a message:
---
“Ellie! Come down here!” Neith called out from downstairs.
When I got to the living room, I froze.
It was her. The girl from the milk tea shop. Standing in our house. WHAT?!
“Oh, Ellie—sit down,” Neith said casually. I sat, totally confused.
“She came by to return something you forgot at the shop,” he explained.
I looked at her—she really came *all the way here* just to return… what? A single coin? Seriously?
“Thank you, um… miss?” I asked.
“Zoim. Zoim Asmol,” she said politely.
Well, now I know her name. And yep—it suits her.
“Thank you, Zoim,” I replied with a small bow.
“Would you like to stay for dinner? It’s late, and you probably haven’t eaten,” Neith offered.
“If that’s alright,” she replied, glancing at me.
“Of course. Come on,” I said, and led her to the dining table.
“I’ll go get plates,” I told her and followed Neith to the kitchen.
By the way, yes—Neith’s my twin. But we go to different schools, so we don’t get much time together.
While we grabbed plates, Neith grinned. “She’s kinda cute.”
“Kinda? She’s beautiful,” I muttered.
He smirked. “You like her already, huh? She brought back a coin. That’s true love right there.”
“Shut up,” I said, nudging him with a laugh.
---
Back at the table, Zoim smiled.
“What took you so long?” she asked, keeping eye contact.
“Why? Missed me already?” I joked.
Her cheeks turned red, and she quickly looked down. Her ears, too. Cute.
“Here comes the food!” Neith cheered like a kid, setting the table.
“Oh? Zoim, your face is all red,” he noticed.
“Uh—it’s just hot in here,” she stammered.
“But it’s freezing…” Neith whispered, but I definitely heard it and tried not to laugh.
---
While we ate, I glanced at her—and she was already looking at me. I smiled and gave her a wink. She quickly turned away, red as a tomato.
“So, where do you study?” Neith asked.
“I go to OMU. Ormos Mateo University,” she replied.
Wait—what?!
“That’s my school. How have I never seen you before?” I asked.
“Maybe because your class is at 3:40? Mine starts at 5:15,” she said.
Ah… fair enough.
“Hmm… sounds like a perfect match,” Neith mumbled.
I kicked him lightly under the table and gave him the look. I glanced at Zoim—yep, still blushing.
---
After dinner, Zoim stood and bowed slightly.
“Thank you for the meal.”
“Come visit again sometime! I’ll cook next time too,” Neith said. “Ellie, can you walk her out?”
He smirked at me as he picked up the dishes. I rolled my eyes but nodded.
“Let’s go,” I said with a small smile.
Outside, the sky was dark but peaceful.
“That was fun,” I said casually, glancing at the stars.
“Yeah… um, Ellie?” she said, looking at the flowers in our yard.
“Hmm?” I replied, turning to face her.
“Can I get your number? You know… in case we want to chat or something?”
I tried not to smile too wide.
“Sure. Give me your phone.”
She handed it over, and I typed in my number.
“And stop calling me ‘sister.’ I’m not *that* old.”
She laughed quietly, clearly holding it in.
“I’ll go now, Ellie. Good night,” she said, waving.
I watched her until she disappeared down the street.
---
“Why’d she leave so faast?” Neith suddenly sang from the door behind me. “You just met and now she’s gone so soon~!”
He started twerking, pretending to cry dramatically. I burst out laughing. We really are siblings.
---
Later that night, I told him I was going back to study, took a quick shower, and finished reviewing everything I could.
Then, finally, I crawled into bed.
Good night, world.