The Kiss that Sparked it All

Byran Howard was lounging in Ellinor’s office with his arms crossed and feet up on her desk, without a hint of the fear he’d shown in front of Balfour.

Ellinor paid him no mind and continued to focus on her work.

Byran frowned at her lack of a reaction. He sat upright and knocked on her desk. “Hey! Ellinor, I’m talking to you!”

She glanced at him, “What? If you need help with your homework, just spit it out!”

Byran blinked and snorted in pride, “Did I say I needed help with homework?”

“Ah, then I must have misunderstood Ellinor didn’t look at him again as she continued her work.

still unresponsive, Byran’s pride faded a bit, “Ellinor, Balfour’s frozen all my cards, but I have a big e–sports match at the end of the month in C city,

I’ve already paid for the gift you sent to your grandfather today You’re

humiliated and struggled to meet her gaze, “No. I don’t want to borrow your money. Actually, I really do want your help with my homework! Balfour said he’d only let me go to the match if I pass my midterms next week. I heard you were a top student at Creston University, you must be great at studying, right? Can you teach me how to improve my grades quickly so I

humble determination, Tm busy

“I can wait for you to finish

Byran again. This proud boy was willing to humble himself for his dreams; it was a rare

of their shared blood, Ellinor felt a sense of responsibility for Byran. Even though he was often a nuisance, she never held it against him and

Byran’s homework from her desk and skimmed through it, “Your foundation is too weak.

ran his hands through his hair in distress, “Then how long will it take for me to reach