[ Rain's POV ]
I didn't sleep at all last night. My mind was a chaotic loop of that near-kiss at the park and the suffocating photo on the university page. There's a sharp, constant sting in my chest, but no matter how much it hurts, the tears won't come. It's like I've finally run dry.
When I walked onto campus, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The air felt heavy with judging gazes and pointed whispers.
"Is that him?"
"I can't believe he actually stole his best friend's girl back then."
"Looks innocent, but he's a total snake."
The rumors had resurfaced, meaner than ever. People were saying that Fran and Athena were the "original" couple and I was the one who betrayed them, a plot twist they say. But that's not what was killing me. What hurt was the thought of Fran going back to her. What was last night, Fran? Was the park just a game? Are you still playing me for revenge?
Sean and Michael caught me in the hallway and dragged me into an empty classroom before I could crumble.
"Rain, don't mind those rumors. They don't know the truth," Michael said, his hand steady on my shoulder.
"They're idiots, Rain," Sean added, his eyes burning with protective anger.
I just nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. If Fran's revenge was to make me fall for him just to break me again... he succeeded.
[ Fran's POV ]
I saw the post this morning. My blood turned to ice. That b*tch. I told her to stay away, and she did the exact opposite.
Flashback
I'd cornered Athena outside her classroom.
"Athena, we need to talk," I growled, pulling her to a quiet corner. "I told you to stop bothering Rain. I wasn't joking."
"Why?" She let out a smug, sharp laugh. "So you can keep him all to yourself? I only broke up with you because I never felt like your girlfriend. Rain was the only one who actually cared for me. You're just afraid, aren't you?"
"Shut the f*ck up," I hissed. "Rain and I are like this because of your games."
"Don't be a hypocrite, Fran. You're the one who didn't believe him. But you won't let him leave either. What are you, possessive of him? It's creepy."
I grabbed the collar of her shirt, my knuckles white. If she weren't a girl, I would have leveled her right there.
"Rain will never like someone like you," I spat, shoving her back. "Stay away from him, or you'll regret it."
End of Flashback
They must have snapped the photo right then. I went straight to the page admins and lost my temper, I told them if the page wasn't shut down in ten minutes, I'd make their lives a living hell.
By the time the posts were gone, I couldn't find Rain. He'd blocked my number. My calls wouldn't go through. Sean and Michael treated me like I was invisible when I asked where he was.
Fck classes. I need Rain.*
I raced back to the apartment, my heart leaping when I saw the lights were on. I burst through the door, but the sight inside made me freeze.
Rain was there. But he wasn't waiting for me. He was packing. Boxes were stacked everywhere. He was leaving for real this time.
[ Rain's POV ]
I wanted him out of my life. I was taping up the last box, my hands shaking, trying to finish before he got home from his night classes.
But then the door flew open. Fran stood there, gasping for air, looking like his world was ending.
"Fran? Why are you—"
Before I could finish, he lunged forward and pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe. I froze, the scent of peppermint and sweat clouding my senses, before I finally found the strength to push him away.
"What are you doing?" I snapped.
"Rain... please. That post... it's a misunderstanding," he panted, his eyes desperate.
"You don't have to explain anything. I know the game you're playing."
"No, Rain! It's not like that! Athena, she—"
"I don't care about Athena! Just let me go and stop bothering me!" I turned to walk away, but he caught me from behind, his arms locking around my waist in a fierce back-hug.
"I won't let you go. Not again," he whispered into my neck.
"What for, Fran?" I asked, turning in his arms to face him, my voice cracking. "To humiliate me again? To hurt me more? For revenge? Well, congrats. You won. I already fell for you. And the moment I realized it, you crushed me. Your revenge worked perfectly."
The tears finally broke. They poured down my face, hot and unstoppable.
Fran's expression shattered. He didn't yell. He didn't fight back. Instead, he collapsed. He dropped to his knees in front of me, clutching my hand and pressing it against his forehead. He was trembling.
"It's not like that, Rain... please," he sobbed, his voice breaking into a thousand pieces. "Don't leave me. I can't live without you. Just... please don't go."
He looked up at me, his face wet with tears I never thought the Ice King was capable of shedding.
"I love you, Rain. I don't know how to explain it... I'm bad at this... but all I know is that I love you. Please."