The afternoon sun bled through the library windows, casting long, golden bars across Lyla’s sketchpad. The only sound was the rhythmic scritch-scratch of graphite against paper.

“Oh, come on, Lyla. Why don’t you just tell him already?” Celine leaned back, her chair creaking as she let out a dramatic, playful sigh.

Lyla didn’t look up. Her hair fell like a curtain, hiding her face. “I can’t… not now,” she muttered, her grip tightening on the pencil.

Celine rolled her eyes, leaning into Lyla’s personal space. “It’s not like he’s going to kill you for having a crush, girl. It’s 2026, not the dark ages.”

Lyla’s hand froze. Her gaze fixed on the half-finished jawline on the page—a jawline she knew by heart. “Who knows…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Maybe he would.”

“Excuse me?” Celine frowned. She waited for the punchline, for Lyla to laugh it off. But Lyla just flipped the page with a trembling hand, burying the drawing in white space.

The Hallway.

The atmosphere shifted the second he entered. It was like a magnetic pull.

Kael walked with an easy, lethal confidence. He didn’t look at people; people looked at him. His sharp smile never quite reached his eyes—the eyes of someone born to be admired, but never touched.

“Ah, Kael! Check out those nerds over there,” Jeremy snickered, jerking his chin toward the corner where Lyla and Celine stood.

Kael’s gaze flicked toward them. It was a cold, clinical swipe. “Not worth our time,” he said. His voice was low, husky, and carried a weight that made Lyla’s heart stutter.

He kept walking. But Liam—always the one to push for a reaction—smirked. “Come on, a little mischief wouldn't hurt.”

In a blur of motion, Liam broke from the group. Before Lyla could even gasp, he snatched the sketchpad from her hands.

“Hey! Give that back—right now!” Lyla shot to her feet, her face flushing a deep, angry crimson. She reached for it, her fingers brushing the air, but Liam held it high above his head, laughing.

“Careful,” Celine whispered, grabbing Lyla’s arm and pulling her back. Her eyes were darting toward Kael’s retreating back. “They’ll crush us if we push too hard. Just let it go, Ly.”

“And what if I don’t?” Liam twirled the pad, his lips curling into a taunting smirk.

Jeremy clapped his hands, his laughter echoing in the crowded hall. It felt like a spotlight was being shined on Lyla’s

humiliation. “Wait—hold up. Is this… is this Kael?” Jeremy snorted, flipping a page.

Liam’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Oh my god. A nerd like you actually thinks she has a chance with Kael?”

Lyla lunged again, her throat tight. She didn't care about the crowd anymore. She just needed those drawings gone. Her fists clutched at the air, her eyes shimmering with the hot threat of tears.

Then, a shadow fell over them.

“What’s going on here?”

The voice was like ice. Kael stood there, his presence suffocating. He plucked the sketchpad from Liam’s hand with practiced ease. He didn't look angry; he looked bored.

Until he saw the page.

His eyes skimmed the detailed shading, the way she had captured the exact tilt of his head. His lips curved into a faint, cruel smirk.

“You like me, huh?” Kael stepped into her space. Lyla’s breath caught. He smelled like expensive cologne and cold air.

“She just—” Celine started, but Kael’s eyes sliced toward her.

“Shh. I asked her, not you.”

Lyla’s throat went bone-dry. She took a stumbling step back, Celine’s hand steadying her waist. The world felt like it was tilting. “I… I kinda do…”

A sharp, hollow chuckle escaped Kael. He turned the sketchpad over in his hands, admiring it for one final second.

RIP.

The sound was deafening. He tore the page clean in half. Then another. And another. Torn fragments of her heart fluttered down like dead white petals, settling in the dirt around Lyla’s shoes.

“Bold of you to even hope I’d like a nerd like you.”

The words cut sharper than the paper scraps. Lyla opened her mouth, but the air wouldn't come. Behind him, Jeremy and Liam were practically vibrating with mockery. “We told you so.”

“I’d better not see this again,” Kael said coolly. He brushed past her, his shoulder hitting hers just enough to make her stagger.

Lyla’s knees buckled. She sank to the floor, her fingers hovering over the shredded remains of her soul. The whispers of the hallway rose like a tide around her.

“Lyla, get up… everyone’s staring,” Celine whispered urgently, kneeling beside her.

“I poured everything into those, Celine!” Lyla’s voice cracked. Her body shook with a sob that tore through her chest. “All my emotions—and he just… he just destroyed them.”

The Principal’s Office

The air was thick with tension. The Principal sat behind his mahogany desk, his glasses slipping down his nose as he surveyed the group: Kael, Lyla, Celine, and the two boys.

“I’ve heard about the disturbance at recess,” the Principal said, his voice stern. “This behavior is unacceptable."

“Sir,” Jeremy interrupted, leaning forward. “Lyla drew Kael’s likeness without his consent. He was just… removing the sketches. I don’t see the problem.”

“What?!” Celine snapped, her eyes blazing.

The Principal sighed, looking toward Kael. “Kael, tell me—do you have any feelings for this girl?”

Kael didn't even look at her. His jaw was tight, his expression bored. “Absolutely not. She’s not my type.”

Lyla felt the words like a physical blow to the stomach. She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood. She refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of him.

“Very well,” the Principal said. “Kael, do not publicly humiliate students again. Am I clear?”

Kael gave a curt nod.

“Dismissed.”

The Drive Home.

Lyla pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the car window. The city was a blur of neon and grey.

“How was school today, honey?” her mom asked, her voice bright and oblivious.

“Fine.”

“Just fine?” Her mom glanced at the rearview mirror. “You look a bit pale.”

“No, Mom… I’m just tired.” Lyla forced a smile that felt like it was breaking her face.

At home, the front door had barely opened before a small weight slammed into her legs. “Lyla!” Sam squealed, his tiny arms wrapping around her knees.

For a moment, the weight in her chest lifted. She scooped him up, burying her face in his neck. He smelled like baby powder and innocence. “I missed you, buddy,” she whispered.

Dinner was a struggle. Her father watched her over his glasses. “Is everything okay? You’re barely eating.”

“Of course, Dad!” Lyla’s voice was an octave too high. She distracted herself by feeding Sam his rice, laughing at his messy face.

But later, in the silence of her room, the mask shattered.

She collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. She pulled out her phone. The passcode—his birth date—felt like a brand. His initial, a glowing K, sat on her wallpaper.

She couldn't bring herself to reply to Celine’s worried messages. Instead, she put on her "Rainy Days" playlist, letting the sad lyrics drown out the sound of her own breathing.

Meanwhile, at the Vane Estate.

Kael sat in a dining room that felt more like a museum. The chandelier above cast a harsh, golden glow over the perfectly seared steak on his plate.

“Mom, you won’t believe what happened today,” he said, his tone casual.

“Oh? Do tell,” Isabella said, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin.

“That nerd I mentioned—Lyla. She confessed. In front of the whole school.” He smirked, twirling his fork. “We made sure she won’t be trying that again.”

Isabella let out a soft, melodic chuckle. “Middle-class girls… they always dream too much. Just let her live in her silly imagination, Kael. It’s harmless.”

...----------------...

“That’s what I thought,” Kael replied, taking a bite of his steak.

......................

But for a split second, his hand trembled. He remembered the look in Lyla’s eyes—not the anger, but the pure, shattered betrayal. The image flickered in his mind, irritating and unwelcome. He took a long drink of water, forcing the image down, pretending it didn't taste like ash.

“Have a nice day at school,” Mom smiled as she dropped Lyla off at the gate.

“Yeah… sure.” Lyla forced a smile, pushing the door open. She waved goodbye, and her mother waved back before driving away.

Turning around, Lyla walked toward the entrance, lost in her own thoughts. She wasn’t paying attention when she almost stumbled straight into someone.

“Goddamn, watch where you’re going,” a sharp voice snapped.

Her heart skipped. That voice was all too familiar.

She looked up. “Kael?”

“Lyla?” He blinked, then scoffed. “Of course it was you.”

He stepped closer, his presence towering over her. Instinctively, Lyla backed away, her grip tightening on her bag strap.

“I don’t think this was a coincidence,” Kael muttered with a smirk. “Probably planned.”

Before she could reply, he turned and walked away, throwing one last menacing look over his shoulder.

Lyla’s chest tightened with frustration. Stupid… I should’ve been more careful. She cursed herself under her breath and headed toward her locker.

As she fiddled with her books, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind.

“Hey, girl!”

She jumped. “Celine! You startled me.”

Her best friend laughed, resting her chin on Lyla’s shoulder. “Relax, it’s just me. First class is physics… we’re so unlucky.”

Lyla groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me. Wait—did you do the homework?”

Celine blinked. “There was homework?”

Lyla turned, staring at her in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

Celine giggled, linking arms with her as they walked toward class. “Guess we’re both doomed then.”

Celine and Lyla sat side by side, trying not to draw too much attention. The classroom was loud, filled with gossip and laughter, but everything went quiet the second the teacher walked in. His presence alone was enough to silence everyone.

“Good morning, students. I hope you all did the homework I gave you on Friday,” he said, his voice firm as he looked around the room.

“Yes, sir! I did!” Zoey answered quickly, her voice a little too eager. She sat up straight, her books stacked neatly in front of her. Zoey was known as the class nerd, and her response made everyone groan in annoyance. Most of them hadn’t even opened their notebooks, and now they were glaring at her for reminding the teacher.

The teacher started calling on students one by one, demanding their excuses. Celine felt her heartbeat grow faster as her name got closer. She could feel her palms sweating, and the eyes of the class pressing down on her.

“And your excuse, Miss Celine?” His tone was sharp, making her flinch a little.

She shifted nervously in her seat, her voice coming out quieter than she wanted. “Sir… I was busy over the weekend. We had guests over.”

The teacher raised his eyebrows, clearly unimpressed. His eyes moved to Lyla, who sat stiffly beside her. “And I suppose your friend Lyla has the same excuse?”

A few students chuckled under their breath, and Lyla felt her stomach twist. She hated being called out, especially like this. The teacher’s disappointed look stayed on them for a moment before he let out a sigh and shook his head.

“Sit down,” he said, before turning back to the board. The lesson went on, but both girls could still feel the embarrassment burning on their faces, as if the whole class hadn’t already moved on.

Later at recess, Lyla and Celine sat together in their usual corner of the cafeteria—just the two of them, like always.

“What’s everyone whispering about over there?” Celine asked, nodding toward a noisy table where a group of students seemed to be plotting something big.

Lyla took a bite of the sandwich her mom had packed for her, chewing slowly. “Don’t you know? Kael’s birthday is coming up. They’re probably planning for that.”

Celine raised her brows. “Ah, that explains why Sabrina is extra bossy today. She’s always glued to Kael, but he barely tolerates her.”

Lyla chuckled faintly and lowered her voice. “If it were me, I’d bake chocolate chip cookies for him. He likes them.”

Celine blinked, staring at her in disbelief. “Are you serious? Girl, we both know he’d reject them.”

“Maybe,” Lyla admitted with a small shrug. “But… it’d be worth a try.”

Her best friend sighed, shaking her head as if Lyla had completely lost it.

Just then, a group of girls strutted past their table. One of them sneered, “Losers,” loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. The whole group burst into laughter as they walked away, flipping their hair.

Lyla kept her eyes on her half-eaten sandwich, pretending she didn’t care. But her grip tightened slightly around the bread, her appetite fading with the echo of their laughter.

As soon as Kael walked into the cafeteria with Jeremy and Liam, the entire place seemed to fall into silence. Conversations hushed, all eyes turning toward him like he carried his own spotlight.

“Kael! Oh my gosh, I was waiting for you,” Sabrina practically leapt from her seat, strutting straight to his side like she owned him.

Kael didn’t even blink. “But I wasn’t waiting for you. Now move,” he said flatly, brushing past her.

The rejection hit hard, Sabrina’s smile dropping in an instant. Lyla and Celine exchanged a quick glance, trying not to laugh at the priceless expression on her face.

Kael and his friends settled at a table just one row away from Lyla and Celine. Liam leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. “What do you think those girls are talking about?” he asked, nodding toward the girls.

“I’m curious too,” Jeremy added, smirking. “What about you, Kael?”

Kael shrugged, a cocky grin tugging at his lips. “Middle-class girls? Who even wastes a thought on them?”

Liam snorted. “Facts.”

At the girls’ table, Lyla was frozen, her eyes lingering on Kael a second too long.

“Lyla!” Celine hissed, nudging her sharply. “Stop staring. If he catches you, you’ll literally die of embarrassment.”

“What? I wasn’t—” Lyla stammered, cheeks heating.

Before she could defend herself further, the bell rang, and the cafeteria erupted into noise again as everyone scrambled for class.

Lyla and Celine slid into their seats for the last class of the day, both looking drained. The teacher began the lecture, but Lyla’s mind was far from equations and notes. After a few minutes, she nudged Celine with her elbow, eyes shining.

“Come to my house at five,” she whispered. “We’ll bake cookies for Kael… and maybe write him a cute letter.”

Celine’s eyes widened. “You’re seriously planning that? Girl, I doubt he’d even touch them.”

Lyla pouted, leaning closer. “Why are you always so negative?”

“I’m not negative, I’m realistic.”

Before Lyla could argue, the boy sitting in front of them suddenly spun around, annoyance written all over his face.

“Can you two keep it down? Some of us are actually trying to take notes.”

Lyla blinked and quickly muttered, “Sorry…” Her cheeks warmed under his sharp stare before he turned back to his notebook, scribbling away.

Celine sighed and whispered, “See? Now we’re annoying people. Just focus on the lecture. I’ll text you later if I can come.”

Lyla sank into her seat with a small nod, pulling out her pen. Still, her thoughts wandered back to Kael as she forced herself to copy down notes, her heart beating faster at the plan forming in her mind.

The car pulled up to the school gates, and Lyla spotted her mom waving enthusiastically from the driver’s seat. She hopped in, and her mom immediately beamed.

“There’s my girl! How was school today?”

Lyla shrugged, trying not to smile. “It was okay… same old stuff.”

“Same old stuff?” Her mom teased, pulling the car into gear. “That doesn’t sound exciting at all. Did you at least ace a quiz or make the cafeteria lady laugh?”

Lyla giggled softly. “No quiz today… and you know she never laughs.”

Her mom gasped playfully. “Then we’ll have to celebrate something else. Ice cream stop before home?”

Lyla’s eyes lit up despite herself. “Really?”

“Of course,” her mom grinned. “My Lyla deserves a scoop, even on boring days.”

For the first time all day, Lyla relaxed, letting herself smile.

Later at home, Lyla found her little brother waiting by the door. He ran up and hugged her legs tightly, making her laugh as she bent down to ruffle his hair. After playing with him for a while, she flopped onto the couch beside her mom.

“Mom, when’s Dad coming home today?” she asked, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone.

“Probably around seven, sweetheart,” her mom replied while folding some laundry.

“Oh, and Mom… I might bake cookies with Celine today,” Lyla said just as her phone buzzed with a notification—Celine had texted that she would come at 5.

Her mom raised an eyebrow. “Wow, all of a sudden?”

Before Lyla could answer, her little brother pouted dramatically. “I want cookies too!”

Lyla laughed and pinched his cheek. “Aww, don’t worry. I promise I’ll give you some. And Mom, you’ll get yours too. I’ll even save a few for Dad. I’m planning on making a big batch.”

Her mom gave her a small smile, though she wagged a finger. “Alright then, but don’t mess up my kitchen.”

Lyla grinned and nodded. “Deal.”

Lyla felt excited, but deep down her stomach twisted with nerves. What if Kael didn’t even like her cookies? Or worse—what if he refused to take them at all? The thought of Liam and Jeremy mocking her in front of the whole cafeteria made her palms sweat. And what if… what if he opened her little handwritten note in front of everyone? Just imagining their laughter echoing through the room made her want to curl up and hide.

Celine arrived right on time, knocking at the door with her usual impatient rhythm.

“I’m telling you, Lyla, this is still a terrible idea,” she said the moment she stepped inside.

“Relax,” Lyla replied with a bright, determined smile. “It’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”

From the kitchen doorway, Lyla’s mom peeked out, baby Sam balanced on her hip. “No disasters in there, girls,” she warned playfully. “I just cleaned the counters.” With that, she kissed Sam’s head and carried him off to bed, leaving the two friends to their mission.

They quickly turned the kitchen into their little bakery, measuring flour, cracking eggs, and laughing at their own mistakes. The sweet smell of butter and sugar soon filled the air.

“You should write something bold like I love your attitude on the note,” Celine teased, smirking.

Lyla’s face went crimson. “Are you crazy? He’d think I’ve lost it!” She laughed nervously, almost spilling the bowl of sugar in her fluster.

By the time the cookies came out of the oven, the whole house was wrapped in their warm, golden scent. Lyla set aside a plateful for her family, then carefully picked out the best ones—six perfect cookies with just the right amount of chocolate chips—and placed them in a pastel box. She slipped a folded note inside that read:

You’re sweet like these cookies, happy birthday.

Staring at the words, her heart skipped. “Isn’t this too corny?” she muttered.

“You’re overthinking,” Celine said, munching noisily on a cookie. “He’ll either eat them or toss them. Simple.”

Just then, the front door opened.

“Oh, Celine! What a surprise,” Lyla’s dad greeted warmly, loosening his tie as the smell hit him. “Wow, what’s this delicious aroma?”

“Hello, uncle,” Celine said with a grin.

“Cookies, Dad,” Lyla replied, holding one out proudly.

He chuckled, patting her head. “They look perfect. I’ll taste them after I freshen up. Honey, I’m home!” he called out to his wife as he disappeared down the hall.

That night, Lyla lay sprawled on her bed, hugging her pillow as her mind refused to rest. Excitement fluttered in her stomach, tangled with dread. She imagined Kael smiling as he tasted the cookies—then imagined him laughing, tearing her note in front of everyone. Her chest tightened. She tossed and turned, watching the glowing digits of her clock until, at 2 a.m., she finally sat up.

Her heart was still racing from a dream in which Kael had rejected her, the laughter of his friends echoing in her ears. Reaching for her glass of water, she took a shaky sip in the darkness.

“Shh, Lyla,” she whispered to herself, pressing the cool glass to her lips. “You’re just overthinking. Nothing bad will happen.”

But even as she lay back down and pulled the blanket over her, her thoughts refused to quiet. She clutched her pillow tight, staring into the shadows until, at last, exhaustion pulled her into a restless sleep.

Through every lecture that day, Lyla could barely focus. Her hands trembled as she tried to jot down notes, and her mind spun in endless circles. By the time recess came, her stomach was in knots. Today was it—no more backing out.

Kael sat at his usual table, surrounded by classmates handing him wrapped gifts and cards. He accepted them with the same indifferent expression, tossing them aside without a second glance. His cool detachment only made Lyla more nervous.

With Celine at her side, Lyla walked toward him, clutching the pastel box like it was her lifeline. She could already feel Sabrina and Emily’s sharp stares on her, their smirks ready to tear her apart.

“Kael…” Lyla’s voice wavered. “I have something for you.”

Kael lifted his head lazily. “Huh? Oh, you brought me something too? Just like the others?” He leaned closer, his husky voice sending shivers down her spine.

“Nerd giving a nerdy gift,” Liam snorted.

“Shut up,” Kael muttered without looking away from Lyla.

Her hands shook as she held the box out. “I… I got you cookies.”

For a moment, silence hung in the air. Kael’s eyes never left hers as he flipped open the lid. Then, to everyone’s surprise, the corners of his lips curved upward.

“He’s… smiling?” Sabrina whispered to Emily, jealousy dripping from her voice.

“I love chocolate chip cookies,” Kael said simply, his tone warmer than anyone expected. Even Jeremy and Liam exchanged shocked looks.

Without hesitation, he picked one up, took a bite, then another, finishing two cookies as the cafeteria stared in disbelief. “They’re heavenly.”

Celine, giddy with pride, blurted out, “Of course they are! Lyla and I spent the whole day baking them. She’s so in lo—” She froze, realizing too late what had slipped out.

Lyla gasped, her cheeks burning crimson. “Celine!”

Jeremy smirked. “Oh, love? We’re doing this again?”

Kael’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. “Do you love me, Lyla? Admit it.”

Her breath caught in her throat. The entire cafeteria hushed, eager for the spectacle. Her knees felt weak under his stare.

“Lyla, look at me!” Kael’s voice rose, commanding. Her heart hammered so hard she thought it might burst.

She forced her gaze up, her voice trembling. “…Yes. Yes, I do.”

Gasps echoed around them. For a second, Kael just studied her, unreadable. Then he smirked, tossing the empty cookie box onto the table.

“You’re not that bad, I’ll admit. We could get along.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving everyone stunned.

“Kael, are you serious?!” Sabrina called after him, but he didn’t bother to answer.

Celine immediately threw her arms around Lyla. “Girl! We did it!” she squealed.

But Lyla just stood frozen, heart pounding, unable to process what had just happened.

Outside, Liam shoved his hands into his pockets and raised a brow.

“Kael, are you serious? Since when do you find her attractive?”

“Exactly,” Jeremy added, reaching out to slap Kael’s shoulder. “That’s what I’m wondering too.”

Kael smirked faintly, his gaze distant. “I don’t know. But there’s something about her innocence. She’s not like the others… not calculating, not fake. She doesn’t even know what she’s doing half the time.” He paused, his voice lower. “I hate cunning people. She’s definitely not one of them.”

Liam whistled. “So what—you’re seriously gonna hang out with her now?”

Kael shrugged, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Maybe. Let’s see where it goes.”

Meanwhile, Lyla and Celine walked down the hall, still buzzing from what had happened. Lyla hugged her books to her chest, her face bright pink.

“He did not say he liked me, okay? All he said was ‘you’re not that bad.’ That doesn’t mean anything!” Lyla rambled, trying and failing to hide her giddy blush.

“Girl, please.” Celine gave her a look. “That’s practically a huge hint. You’re glowing right now.”

“It’s probably a dream. Pinch me, I need to check.”

Instead, Celine flicked the back of Lyla’s head. “You’ve lost your mind.”

Lyla broke into a laugh and hugged her friend tightly. “Okay, okay—I’ll admit it. I’m really happy.”

“That’s more like it!” Celine grinned, squeezing her back. “And you should’ve seen Sabrina’s face—it was priceless!”

At that, they both burst out laughing, their voices echoing down the empty corridor. For once, Lyla didn’t care about the stares. She couldn’t stop smiling.

Later, after school ended, Lyla went home with a spring in her step. She was too happy today, her cheeks hurting from smiling nonstop.

“You’re in a good mood today. What’s up, honey?” her mom asked while serving her lunch.

“Oh, mom, I just… scored really well on an oral test, and the teacher appreciated me,” Lyla said quickly, trying to sound casual.

“That’s so good! I’m proud of you,” her mom said warmly.

But the real storm didn’t hit until later that evening.

Her phone buzzed with a notification. An unknown number.

Probably a random promotion, she thought, but curiosity made her open it.

“Hey… is this Lyla?”

Her eyes widened. Heart pounding, she typed back: Yeah… who are you?

The reply came almost instantly.

“Kael.”

Lyla’s heart nearly stopped. She let out a scream so sharp her mom rushed into the room.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, mom! I just… hit my toe!” she blurted, clutching her phone like it was treasure.

Her mom frowned, unconvinced. “Be careful. And Sam, finish your vegetables! You’ve been playing with them for half an hour!”

Lyla stared at the screen, rereading the name a hundred times. No way… Kael?

Another message popped up.

“So now you’re acting up, princess?”

“Yeah because I'm a girl so I gotta have an attitude”, she typed back.

She almost fainted. Princess? She buried her face in her pillow, kicking her legs under the blanket to contain her excitement.

Smooth. Real smooth, she scolded herself.

She quickly screenshotted the conversation and fired it off to Celine.

Seconds later, her best friend’s reply came through in all caps:

“LYLA GIRL. HE CALLED YOU PRINCESS. GIRL, YOU’RE LIVING MY DREAM.”

Lyla stifled a giggle, but another text came from Kael:

“I can handle it”

Handle what? she wondered, her cheeks burning.

“Why are you smiling?” her mom asked, peering at her suspiciously.

“Oh—Celine just sent a really funny meme,” Lyla said quickly, hiding her phone under the table.

Her mom nodded, but her eyes narrowed. She knew something was up.

That night, Lyla and Kael’s phones never seemed to rest. One message after another, their conversation flowed effortlessly—from silly jokes to random confessions, and even moments of unexpected sweetness. Hours passed without them even realizing.

By the time Lyla glanced at the clock, her eyes widened. 2 a.m.? Oh no…

“I think we should sleep,” she typed reluctantly. “I’ll meet you at school.”

Almost instantly, his reply appeared.

“Aww, and what about a kiss?”

Her cheeks flamed red. She stared at the screen, her heart racing so fast she could barely think straight.

“Shut up!” she typed furiously, her fingers trembling.

She quickly locked her phone and tossed it onto her nightstand, burying her face in the pillow to hide her uncontrollable smile. Her chest felt like it was glowing, her blush refusing to fade.

Now,her dreams belonged entirely to him. She dreamt of Kael’s teasing grin, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her, and his voice echoing in her head. But when morning came, a nervous thought clawed at her:

How on earth am I supposed to face him at school after all that?