The crisp afternoon sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a soft golden glow across the boisterous literature club—a stark contrast to the stillness of the second-floor hallways outside. Anyone passing by would have thought a full-blown argument had broken out, when in reality, it was just the club leaders endlessly debating plans for the upcoming event.

Seated at the far end of the room, you listened with an unamused expression, quietly scoffing at their pointless back-and-forth. Your gaze wandered, searching for something—anything—more interesting, until it landed on a boy sitting a few seats away.

Legs crossed, a book resting in his hands, he read in complete peace, as if the noise around him didn’t exist.

You found that… intriguing.

Squinting slightly, you tried to make out his face. When he shifted, the light caught his features—and recognition hit instantly.

Vivien Hugo.

The school’s soccer club midfielder. Known for his impressive academics, sharp mind… and, well—his looks.

Seriously, what kind of serum and mascara does this boy use?

You hadn’t even realized you were staring until he glanced up.

And caught you.

For a moment, everything else faded into the background. The noise, the chatter—gone. It was just his gaze locked onto yours.

Heat crept up your neck.

You quickly looked away.

WHY WERE YOU STARING FOR SO LONG?!

Mortified, you forced your attention back to the ongoing discussion, suddenly pretending it was the most interesting thing in the world. Still, every now and then, your eyes betrayed you—drifting back to Hugo, who had now closed his book… and was very clearly paying attention to you.

At this point, you were just praying the meeting would end soon.

The meeting ended not long after, once the club leaders finally reached a decision.

You let out a quiet sigh of relief and slipped out of the room with the others, a small smile tugging at your lips. Freedom, at last.

Feeling a little lighter, you decided to take a quick detour to your best friend’s club. But when you peeked inside, you found the room already empty—their meeting must’ve ended minutes earlier.

“Huh.”

Shrugging it off, you turned back and continued down the hallway, your steps almost playful as you skipped along.

That is… until you stopped dead in your tracks.

Ahead, leaning casually by the corridor, was Hugo—along with his friends.

Your heart dropped.

Wow. Just… wow. Bad luck really chose violence today.

“Okay,” you muttered under your breath, forcing yourself to move again. “Don’t panic. Just act normal… He probably forgot about you.”

Right.

Because that was totally believable.

You walked past them, trying—desperately—to look composed, even as your heart pounded wildly against your ribs. Why was it beating so fast anyway?! It’s not like you committed a crime… you just stared. A little.

Okay, maybe a lot.

You kept your gaze forward, silently praying none of them noticed you.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.

You could feel it—the shift in the air, the unmistakable weight of stares following your every step.

Your pace quickened.

Then quickened again.

And before you knew it, you were practically speed-walking down the hallway, slipping out of sight the moment you reached the exit—internally screaming the entire way.

Back in the corridor, Loki let out a low chuckle, watching your retreating figure.

“That her, Hugo?”

Hugo hummed in response, his gaze lingering in the direction you disappeared.

Charles smirked, nudging him lightly. “She’s pretty, like you said. But are you sure you can pull?”

Hugo didn’t even hesitate.

“Of course,” he replied casually. “We’re already destined for each other.”

Loki snorted, grabbing both of them by the shoulders. “Yeah, yeah. Save the romance for later. Practice, lovers boy.”

And with that, he dragged them off down the hall.