Author's NoteThank you so much for reading 💙 On Wattpad this book already has 38 chapters, and I'm uploading them here so the story can continue. Your support means the world to me—it keeps me writing. 🌸
BlurbHeat, dizziness, silence. Ryu falls, and the classroom's balance shatters. Ravi steps closer, Rey looks away, and the weight of choices presses down heavier than the sun itself. In a single day, bonds begin to shift—toward guilt, toward longing, toward something that can no longer be denied.
The sun rose heavy that day, and so did the air in the school grounds.
Ryu stood quietly in the assembly, her head throbbing, eyes dull. Sweat clung to her forehead, her legs shaking beneath the weight of her body.
(Ryu: Why do I feel so dizzy... why won't he even glance at me?)
Unaware to her, Ivy had followed her to the water cooler before the assembly. When she had staggered slightly, Ivy had been the one to steady her.
But when Ryu entered class later, she didn't know. She only saw Rey—sitting in the far corner of the class, eyes fixed on the textbook. He didn't look at her.
She turned her back to him.
(Ryu: Did he not notice? Did he not care? Why does it feel like he's so far today...)
(Rey: I can't look. I can't let her see what's in my eyes. Not now. Not yet.)
[Rey: The Devil doesn't get to care.]
As the bell rang, Ravi took the seat beside her. He had been observing everything.
(Ravi: She's not okay. Why is no one noticing?)
"Are you fine?" he asked softly.
Ryu nodded weakly, eyes avoiding his.
But the day had other plans.
During lunch, the classroom emptied. Ryu stood to fetch her bottle—and fell.
Hard.
A loud thud, the room spinning, her knees buckling.
Rey had just walked in. He dropped his tiffin.
And ran.
He caught her.
(Rey: Ryu?! No—no, not now—why didn't I watch you?)
Kabir and Avyan ran in behind him. Maya froze at the door.
Ravi pushed through, grabbing water.
Maya and her friend took the bottle from his hand and gently poured it near Ryu's face.
But her skin... it was burning.
In a blur, they took her to the nurse.
Scene: Nurse's Room
Ryu woke up to cold damp cloths on her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open.
She sat up slightly, confused.
"You're okay," the nurse said gently.
She turned her head...
Ravi sat beside her, quiet.
(Ryu: Why's he here... where's—)
Ravi finally spoke, almost awkwardly.
"You really scared everyone," he said with a weak smile.
(Ravi: Why does it hurt to see her like this? Why do I feel... this way? Am I falling for her? No. No, I can't. The plan...)
But his eyes lingered longer than they should have.
And his heart beat just a bit too fast.
Back in Class
Rey sat at his desk, expression cold.
But the page in front of him... was still on Chapter 1.
His hand clenched.
(Rey: Why does it burn when I look away? Why did I freeze in the morning? I let her think I don't care. I let her fall.)
Ryu entered quietly. She didn't even glance at him.
She took her seat.
(Ryu: He didn't come to see me. Why would he? I must be foolish to expect anything.)
And then...
She turned slightly, just enough to see him.
Rey, who hadn't looked at her all day, was already looking at her.
Eyes unreadable.
Regret? Guilt?
Or something deeper?
She turned back around quickly.
He looked away.
But something had shifted.
Title meaning echo at the end:
The Devil looked away. But his heart stayed behind.