Aeron sat stiffly in his chair, his eyes fixed on the front but his thoughts snagged on the look he had seen on Starfania's face moments before. The way her gaze had lit up at Daniel's smile—it struck deeper than he wanted to admit. He told himself it was nothing, that Daniel was just being noble, that Starfania was only grateful. But the image refused to fade. He tried to rationalize it. Of course she'd be thankful. Daniel had stepped in, shielding her. Anyone would have looked at him that way. He repeated it like a mantra, but the hollow ache in his chest betrayed him. So he buried it the only way he knew how: by sitting straighter, forcing his focus on the lesson, and pretending not to notice when Starfania's gaze drifted elsewhere. If he let himself think too long about it, he feared it would show.
Minutes began to tick off against each other while Starfania tried to focus on the lesson, but she listened to all the sounds around her. The clicking of a pen, the marker scraping the whiteboard, the small whispers carrying across the room. It was a win in her book—at least it kept her grounded. But even so, her mind wandered back to Daniel. She replayed the moment like a recording: the way he stood there, chest lifted, smile warm and unshakable, making her feel—if only for an instant—safe and cherished. A quiet warmth lingered, one she couldn't push away.
Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the period and the start of lunch. Starfania let out a sigh of relief and quickly gathered her belongings, her heart pulling her toward the cafeteria. This was her chance to see her best friend… and maybe her crush. She dreamt of the moment she could thank Daniel for his boldness, the thought alone enough to bring a hopeful sparkle to her eyes. Once inside the cafeteria, her gaze swept the room. The first face she searched for was Aeron's. But to her surprise, he wasn't there—normally he was always the one waiting.
The absence tugged at her nerves. She paced lightly, eyes darting, until at last a flash of a green cut through the crowd. Aeron emerged from the back of the hall, and relief washed through her at the sight of his forest-colored eyes. But as he approached, she noticed something different—his expression carried a faraway look, as if his mind was wandering elsewhere.
" Aeron?" she asked softly. " Are you okay?"
He offered only a small smile, dismissing her concern without an explanation. Starfania wasn't convinced. She could see the cloud in his eyes, the way he hid behind that simple grin. But she chose not to push—not yet.
The cafeteria air lightened, their laughter easing the weight between them. Yet in the depths of Aeron's gaze, she still caught the shadow of something unspoken.
So, she gave his shoulder a quick pat, forcing a lighter note into her voice. " Come on, let's grab some food before all the good stuff's gone."
It worked—at least on the surface. Aeron chuckled faintly, letting her shift the mood. The tension between them loosened, though the weight behind his eyes lingered like smoke refusing to clear. Once their trays were filled, they slipped into a corner table by the window.
Sunlight pooled across the wood, warming the space between them. Aeron poked at his food half-heartedly until Starfania raised an eyebrow. " What's wrong? Afraid the mashed potatoes might bite you first?"
Aeron smirked faintly. " I'm just trying to decide if it's edible. You know this school is secretly trying to kill us, right?"
Starfania rolled her eyes, scooping up a bite dramatically. " Mmm, delicious. A true five-star experience."
" You're insane," he muttered, though the corner of his mouth tugged upward.
" Insane? No," she teased. " Resilient. Someone has to teach you how to survive."
The playful jab earned her a chuckle, one that sounded more genuine this time. For a fleeting moment, the heaviness in Aeron's chest eased as their banter wrapped around him like a shield. Still, beneath his laughter, a quiet ache lingered—one he couldn't put into words without risking too much. Starfania, meanwhile, kept sneaking glances at him between bites. He was smiling, yes, but she could feel the distance he was holding. And even as she joined in his humor, part of her wished he would let her past the walls he's built. The moment hung balanced between light and heavy, between comfort and the truths neither dared to speak aloud.