I Dated Twin Guys As Their Online Experiment, But I Had My Own Plan Chapter 09

I Dated Twin Guys As Their Online Experiment, But I Had My Own Plan Chapter 09

Fall Fest prep had hit a critical sprint. I got assigned to the stage crew, responsible for coordinating performance order and backstage logistics. The workload was intense and messy, and some nights I didn’t get back to the dorm until past nine.

Owen was our Volunteer Coordinator, and he was active in the group chat every single day-delegating

tasks, sending reminders,/checking in. His messages were always “Great work, everyone,” “Make sure you rest,” “Reach out if anything comes up.” The tone was warm without being cloying, and it just felt… solid.

I ended up messaging him privately for the first time because of a crisis. One of the bands scheduled for a three p.m. soundcheck bailed last-minute and wanted to push to five. But five already had another band

locked in. Complete conflict. ¡

I posted the situation in the group chat. Within thirty seconds, Owen slid into my DMs.

[Are you over by the main stage right now?]

[I’m coming. Let’s figure it out face-to-face.]

Ten minutes later, he appeared at the side of the stage. Black jacket, hair tousled by the wind, a faint sheen

of sweat on his forehead.

“Which band pushed?” He glanced at his time sheet. I laid out the problem. He listened, thought for about

three seconds, and pulled out his phone.

“Hey, can your group bump to 4:30 instead of 5? I know it’s tight, but it’ll help us sync everything. Awesome, thank you.” He hung up and looked at me. “Fixed. 4:30 to 5:30 for the delayed band, 5:30 to 6:30 for the original.”

“But that compresses both sets,” I said, scanning the schedule. “They each had ninety minutes. Now they

get an hour-.”

“An hour’s enough,” he interrupted, smiling. “Trust me.”

That smile had a quiet steadiness to it. I looked into his eyes and suddenly thought, this person actually seems dependable.

“Okay,” I said. “Let’s go with that.”

“Thanks for handling all that.”

“You too.”

He turned to leave, then stopped and looked back. “Nora, did you eat lunch?”

I paused. “…I don’t think I did.”

“There’s a temporary break room behind the stage. I had someone pick up extra takeout boxes. Grab one.”

“What about you?”

“I already ate.” He walked away.

I stood at the side of the stage, watching his back disappear down the access corridor.

[This Owen guy is smooth Fixes the problem, then remembers she hasn’t eaten.]

[The efficiency. The emotional intelligence. The twins look like middle schoolers next to him.]

[Wait, is it just me or is there something different in the side character’s eyes?]

[There should be! Trash goes in the bin. The good stuff comes after.]

I pulled my gaze back and headed to the break room. A pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, and a cup of mac and cheese. I popped the lid open, took a bite, and chewed slowly. It tasted especially good today. Not because of

the food itself. Because someone remembered I hadn’t eaten.