Jerry spotted Vess before he even stepped into the café.
She was already there, sitting by the window with sunlight catching in her curls, casually stirring her coffee like it owed her secrets. She looked annoyingly perfect—like this was her third time being effortlessly hot today.
The second their eyes met, her lips curved into that familiar, dangerous smirk.
"Look who's early," she said, arching a brow. "Color me impressed. I was expecting dramatic lateness. Maybe a hoodie half on, hair in rebellion."
Jerry slid into the seat across from her. "And miss your caffeine-fueled chaos? Tragic."
She tilted her head, eyeing him. "Still nervous though."
"I'm not—"
"Your voice cracked on 'not.'" She grinned. "Adorable."
He picked up the menu mostly to hide the flush. "What are we ordering?"
"You're buying," she said, already smug. "Surprise me. Just no peppermint. That's basically mouthwash in disguise."
Jerry went to the counter and returned with two drinks—hers a caramel macchiato, his a simple black with cream.
She took a sip, then gave him a slow nod. "That's dangerously sweet. Are you trying to make me fall for you?"
"I thought you already had."
Her smile widened like she hadn't expected that answer. "Bold. I like that."
💻 [Thread Progress Detected – Vess 🔥💋: Emotional Sync +1 | Mutual Banter Level: Elevated]
They sipped in silence for a few moments. Comfortable, but not quiet. The tension between them wasn't awkward—it was just there, like electricity between two wires almost touching.
Vess tapped her cup. "Wanna play a game?"
"That depends. Is this a Vess-style game?"
"Rapid fire questions. No lies. No overthinking. You in?"
Jerry nodded. "You go first."
"What's the first thing you notice when you're into someone?"
"Eyes," he said. "And voice."
She raised an eyebrow. "Explains why you stare like I'm a podcast in human form."
"Your turn," he said, smirking. "Biggest turn-on?"
"Innocent Boys. And hands. I have a thing for hands."
He blinked. "Hands?"
"Yeah. You'd be surprised what people do with them."
👻 Zen: "Can ghosts sweat? Because I am."
👻 Alric: "She's literally flirting like it's an Olympic sport."
👻 Ragnar: "Jerry, if you don't flirt back I'm sending you a PowerPoint presentation."
Jerry tried to keep it together. "Alright—my question. Ever kissed someone and instantly regretted it?"
"Only when they were boring," she said, twirling her straw. "So, if you ever get lucky... you better be interesting."
He nearly choked on his coffee.
She snorted. "Relax. You're doing okay for now."
The questions kept flying.
"Favorite place to be touched?"
"Back of my neck."
"Most rebellious thing you've done?"
Vess smirked. "Still doing it."
Jerry squinted. "What does that mean?"
"You," she said simply, sipping again. "You're part of the rebellion now."
👻 Zen: "I'm dying. D-Y-I-N-G."
👻 Alric: "This is so much secondhand flirting I need a seatbelt."
👻 Ragnar: "Okay but if he doesn't lean in soon I'm haunting her next."
They were both laughing now, barely touching their drinks. She was glowing—just a little flushed, a little wild, the kind of girl who could ruin you and convince you it was a good idea.
The tension had changed. It wasn't subtle anymore. It was loud. Loud and hot and pressing at the edges of the booth.
And Jerry... was loving it.
💻 [System Alert: Flirt Level Escalated – Potential Trigger Event Pending]
🔸 Emotional Heat: High
🔸 Ghost Commentary: Unhinged
By the time they stepped out of the café, the air had cooled, but neither of them seemed to notice. They fell into step automatically, strolling side by side.
The sidewalk curved around the back of the building, a quieter path, mostly empty.
Then Vess stopped walking.
She turned suddenly, grabbed Jerry by the front of his hoodie, and backed him up against the wall.
Her voice was low. "I can't handle your cuteness anymore."
And then she kissed him.
No hesitation.
No second-guessing.
Just her lips crashing into his, warm and insistent, her fingers tightening in his hoodie like she needed him to stay right there.
Jerry's breath caught. His hands found her waist—steadying, grounding—and then one moved higher, fingers trailing up her back, until he was holding her close like gravity didn't matter anymore.
She kissed like she flirted—hot, fast, and with absolute conviction. Like he was hers already.
👻 Zen: "OH MY—"
👻 Alric: "WE HAVE LIFT-OFF."
👻 Ragnar: "JERRY. HANDS ON. NOW."
Jerry moved on instinct. His hand slid up, hovering, until he brushed over her chest, through her shirt. Just barely.
She moaned softly into the kiss.
The sound nearly undid him.
Her hand moved to cover his—guiding it, just slightly, with a look that dared him to stop. He didn't.
They kissed again, deeper this time. Hotter. Slower.
When she finally pulled back, lips swollen and breath shaky, she rested her forehead against his.
Her voice was soft, but sure.
"Next time... I'm not stopping at just a kiss."
Jerry didn't say anything.
Couldn't.
He was dazed—heart pounding, brain buffering, lips still tingling.
👻 Zen: "He's malfunctioning. Beautifully."
👻 Alric: "He's toast. She toasted him."
👻 Ragnar: "I love romance. I love this."
💻 [Quest Complete: Just One Step Closer]
🔸 Emotional Milestone: Achieved
🔸 Relationship Thread: Vess 🔥💋 Unlocked
🔸 Hidden Trait Gained: Flammable Chemistry
Back in his dorm, Jerry collapsed onto his bed.
He didn't know what the hell came next.
But for once, he actually wanted to find out.