The chilly breeze welcomed Celeste back to campus life as she stepped through the gates, her hands tucked into the pockets of her navy-blue jacket. It wasn't just the cold she was shielding herself from—it was the kiss mark barely hidden beneath a layer of concealer on her neck.
She had spent nearly ten minutes dabbing at it with makeup, only to feel unsatisfied and tug her jacket higher just in case.
The fabric brushed against her chin as she walked quickly, avoiding any unnecessary attention.
—Flashback—
Celeste already took a shower.
She stood in front of her mirror; brows furrowed in concentration.
"You've got to be kidding me…" she muttered, tilting her head to the side.
There it was again—the faint purplish bloom on her neck, just above the collarbone. Ash's kiss mark.
With a sigh, she reached for her concealer, dabbing it gently over the mark.
"Not too much… blend it out…"
A few careful strokes later, the love bite was nearly invisible—at least for now.
—End of Flashback—
"God, Ash…" she muttered under her breath, feeling the warmth creep up her neck again—not from embarrassment, but from remembering that night.
The campus was lively. Students milled about, some still shaking off the last traces of winter break.
Her phone buzzed.
Ash:
Did you get to school safe?
Also… is the thing still on your neck?
Celeste smirked, quickly typing back.
Celeste:
Yup. And yes, your masterpiece's still there 😏
Ash:
Your mark's also here tho…
Celeste bit back a giggle, fingers already flying.
Celeste:
But not as many as these.
Oh, do you want me to put even more on you?
That's 100% fine with me. Maybe one below your ear, another on your chest… or maybe I'll leave one somewhere only I get to see hihi.
His reply was nearly instant.
Ash:
Celeste.
Stop. Please.
She grinned at the screen like a cat who found the cream.
"Ohh~ What's with that smile?" a familiar voice cut in.
Celeste looked up to see Lyka walking beside her, arms crossed and eyes suspiciously narrow.
"I know that face," Lyka smirked. "You're texting lover boy, aren't you?"
Celeste's cheeks colored faintly.
"Maybe."
They walked together, catching up as students bustled by. The winter break had just ended and the new semester was officially starting. Lyka's energy was back in full force.
"So?" she asked, nudging Celeste's shoulder. "Are you two, like… officially a thing now?"
Celeste smiled.
"We are… officially dating now."
Lyka's jaw dropped.
"WHAT. SINCE WHEN?!"
"Just a week before winter break started" Celeste admitted with a smirk on her face.
Lyka's mouth dropped.
"You've been dating for that long and you didn't even tell me until now?!"
"We kept it quiet over break and… well, Rowan still has no idea."
Lyka froze.
"You mean it's still a secret?"
Celeste gave her a helpless look.
"It's not like we're hiding it to be cruel… we just don't know how to tell him."
Lyka exhaled, shaking her head as they continued walking toward their building.
"Alright. You owe me the full story—how it officially happened. After class, got it?"
"Deal."
__________
[Cafeteria ]
Celeste and Lyka sat tucked in the corner booth, half-finished trays in front of them.
Lyka swooned dramatically.
"Ughhh, okay, that's romantic. So that's how it happened… but I know there's more."
Celeste's smile turned slightly mischievous—but she shook her head.
"That's all you get, superstar. The rest stays private."
Lyka raised both brows.
"Private, huh?"
Celeste giggled.
Just then, a familiar voice echoed from across the cafeteria.
"Hey, seniors!"
They both turned. From Lyka's point of view, she immediately spotted Liam, their ever-energetic junior, waving brightly as he approached them.
Lyka smirked.
"Oho~ Junior boy's back again."
Liam slid into the seat beside Celeste with a grin.
"Miss me over break?"
"Of course," Lyka said dryly. "Who else would shout across the cafeteria like it's a sports meet?"
Liam strode over, a tray in his hands and a nervous kind of energy in his step. He sat beside Celeste like it was the most natural thing.
"You two look like you've been plotting something."
"You wish," Lyka shot back playfully.
Soon, the table was full of laughter as Liam animatedly shared his winter break stories. Lyka chimed in with her own, their banter full of teasing and subtle jabs.
At one point, Liam turned to Celeste and smiled—too earnestly.
"You always make the campus feel brighter, y'know?"
Celeste's expression twitched—just for a second. Guilt simmered beneath her skin.
Before she could answer—
"She's glowing because someone else already makes her glow. Right, Cel?" Lyka winked, sipping her drink.
Celeste laughed nervously.
"Haha… shut up."
Liam blinked. "Huh?"
"Nothing," she said quickly. "So—any classes you're dreading this semester?"
Liam took the hint, still smiling, though a little slower than before.
__________
Laughter bubbled around the corner table where Celeste, Lyka, and Liam sat. Plates pushed aside, the three of them filled the air with overlapping stories and teasing remarks.
"And I swear, the snow hit me so hard, I thought I got slapped by nature itself," Liam said, grinning ear to ear.
"Or maybe karma just got tired of chasing you and used snowballs instead," Lyka shot back, laughing.
Laughter bubbled around the corner table where Celeste, Lyka, and Liam sat. Plates pushed aside, the three of them filled the air with overlapping stories and teasing remarks.
"And I swear, the snow hit me so hard, I thought I got slapped by nature itself," Liam said, grinning ear to ear.
"Or maybe karma just got tired of chasing you and used snowballs instead," Lyka shot back, laughing.
Celeste giggled, resting her chin on her palm.
"That's what you get for trying to prank your uncle."
"It was supposed to be funny!" Liam defended, shaking his head. "You two are ruthless."
Celeste leaned in a little, lips curled.
"You love it."
"Sadly, I do."
Their table was alive with warmth and noise, drawing glances from nearby students. But none of them cared.
Suddenly, Lyka checked the time and made a dramatic gasp.
"Oh shoot, it's almost time for History of Literature. Let's go before Professor Maeril locks the door again."
She stood up quickly, grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder.
Celeste stood next, still chuckling under her breath as she tucked loose strands of hair behind her ear.
Liam stood last, clearly not wanting the moment to end just yet.
"Hey," he said, eyes fixed on Celeste, voice a little softer this time. "Are you free tonight? Maybe we could… have dinner again? Just the two of us, like before."
The mood shifted ever so slightly. Lyka's gaze flicked over with a subtle smirk, then she immediately looked away, pretending to adjust her sleeve.
She forced a small laugh.
"Tonight? Mmm… I actually have plans."
"Oh," Liam said, a little too quickly. "Maybe tomorrow then?"
Before Celeste could answer, Lyka swooped in with a teasing smirk:
"You're acting like she's single or something, junior."
Liam blinked.
"Isn't she?"
Celeste cleared her throat and smiled—tight, polite, vague.
"We're just… busy lately."
"Ah," Liam said, trying not to look too disappointed.
Lyka rolled her eyes and looped her arm with Celeste's.
"Come on, mystery girl. Let's go before we miss roll call."
As they turned away, Liam called out with one last hopeful smile:
"Next time, then."
Celeste gave a soft nod but didn't promise anything.
__________
Once they were out of earshot, Lyka bumped her shoulder playfully.
"You're cruel, you know that?"
"What? I didn't do anything."
"Exactly. That's the problem. Poor Liam thinks he still has a chance."
"I couldn't just drop 'I'm dating Ash' in front of him."
"Then what, lie forever?"
"No… I'll tell him. But not yet. Not until Rowan knows first."
"Mmm. Tricky." Lyka smirked.
________