It was a sweltering Saturday afternoon, and we'd just finished our last rehearsal for University Week. Everyone from the Performing Arts Group was required to perform at every event, so practice had been brutal.
Panting, I dropped into an empty chair and pulled a towel from my bag, wiping sweat from my face. The air conditioning was on, but it barely made a difference—it was that hot.
Jhay was sprawled dramatically on the studio floor, mouthing choreography steps like he was summoning spirits. Across the room, Mia stood directly in front of the AC, her sweat-soaked hair falling into lazy waves. She looked like she'd melted.
Only the three of us remained in the studio. We had skipped the last session because Jhay, in true Jhay fashion, had dragged us out for spontaneous drinks without so much as a warning. I didn't even drink—unless there was a real reason—but somehow, I always ended up going along with them.
"Let's eat before we head home, okay?" Mia asked, glancing my way.
I chugged the rest of my water, then tossed the bottle across the room and into the bin. Three points. I nodded in agreement, even though I suddenly remembered I was supposed to meet Kevin after his training.
Still, I had an hour to kill.
We made sure to tidy the studio before leaving. No one wanted to be the reason the place got locked again.
Outside, the heat smacked us in the face. Jhay shielded himself like he was about to turn to ash.
"Ugh, the sun is literally trying to murder me," he groaned.
"Oh, please," Mia shot back. "You're a demon. You should be thriving in this."
They launched into their usual banter. I let it play out, amused. Their teasing could get aggressive sometimes—enough that they'd go a few days without talking—but today it was light.
"What time are you meeting Kevin?" Mia asked as we took the shortcut through the fire exit.
I checked my watch. "About an hour."
I pulled out my phone and smiled at the message on my screen: You done with practice? I quickly typed back a reply.
Just then, Jhay let out a dramatic sigh—the kind that demanded attention.
I glanced over. "What now?"
He scratched his head, voice exaggerated. "Must be nice to have someone who makes you happy."
Mia laughed. I wasn't sure if she was laughing with him or at him. Probably both.
"You've got way too many crushes," Mia teased, shaking her head. "I can't even keep track anymore."
I nodded. She wasn't wrong. Even I couldn't figure out who Jhay actually liked most.
He quickly defended himself.
"Okay, yeah—I have a lot of crushes. But my eyes are only fixed on two people." He leaned in like it was a secret. "Syron and Kenzo. Those are the only ones I'm really watching."
I froze.
Syron.
Just hearing the name pulled me back to the last time we saw each other.
I still didn't know what to make of what he said. His words had been vague—teasing, maybe? But days had passed, and the confusion still clung to me. He wasn't someone I ever expected to say anything to me, let alone something that left me this uncertain.
We'd never spoken. Not even a polite nod during events.
He was always on the edges of the room—quiet, untouchable. There was this invisible distance around him, like a silent warning: Don't get too close.
We stepped into the noodle shop, and I stopped short. The SSC group was there—Syron included.
I quickly looked away before anyone noticed me staring. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jhay nudge Mia, his eyes lit with excitement. Typical.
Trying not to think too hard, I headed for an empty table and dropped my bag onto a chair.
"We're really lucky, huh?" Jhay whispered, still stealing glances across the room.
Their table wasn't far. I could hear bits of conversation—talk about event logistics, committee work, the usual campus buzz. Nothing unusual.
Mia went to order. I'd already paid, so I sat back and checked my phone. Still no reply from Kevin.
Minutes passed. No message.
I poured myself a glass of water and took a sip, letting my eyes wander—subtly—back to Syron's table.
He was sitting quietly, arms crossed, head slightly tilted. He wasn't talking. Just listening. Nodding now and then, his face unreadable. My gaze lingered.
And even though he hadn't looked my way once... I couldn't shake the feeling that he already knew I was watching.
His face was... flawless. Clear skin without a hint of pores, a sharp nose, and lashes so long they brushed his cheeks when he blinked. He looked like he'd been carved from stillness.
My staring was cut short by the beep of my phone. Kevin. Finally.
Kevin: On my way.
"I'm going to the restroom," I said, standing up. Jhay barely glanced at me, too busy taking selfies.
He managed to drag me into one, cackling after capturing a shot where I looked absolutely horrible. I rolled my eyes and walked away.
I wasn't expecting to see him there.
Syron stood just outside the restroom, leaning against the wall, arms crossed—waiting, probably, for whoever was inside.
Our eyes met. Cold and unreadable, his gaze locked with mine for a beat too long. I forgot how to breathe.
I opened my mouth, unsure if I was going to say hi—or anything at all—but the door behind him opened. A girl stepped out and smiled warmly at him. As usual, he offered nothing more than a silent nod.
Then he looked straight at me again.
"Ladies first," he said, voice like ice—smooth, controlled, distant.
I gave him a faint smile and slipped past him into the restroom.
Once inside, I shut the cubicle door and just... sat. I barely even needed to pee. I stared at the wall, heart pounding, breath uneven.
What was that?
I tried to pull myself together. Deep breaths. In, out. Don't overthink. Don't be weird.
When I stepped back out, he was gone. I blinked, almost disoriented. Had I taken too long? It didn't feel like it. I washed my hands slowly, then left.
Back at the restaurant, I glanced toward the SSC table. They were packing up—laughing, standing, getting ready to leave.
I tore my gaze away just as someone else walked in.
Kevin.
My smile returned the second I saw him. His eyes scanned the place until they landed on me. I waved.
He crossed the room in long, easy strides, that familiar grin tugging at his lips. And without a word, he pulled me close and kissed my forehead.
I laughed—just as Mia groaned behind me. "Oh, come on. You two are making me sick," Mia said, approaching with a tray full of food.
Kevin just laughed and helped her set everything down.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched him, feeling that familiar warmth bloom inside me. But when I glanced to the side, that warmth faltered.
Syron and Kenzo were looking at me.
Kenzo said something, smiling as he tapped Syron's shoulder—probably signaling it was time to leave. But Syron's eyes stayed on me. Unmoving. Watching.
My brows furrowed. I slowly sat down, confused by the way they were staring. Do I have something on my face? Do I look like a mess?
"Babe, let's eat," Kevin said, snapping me back.
I nodded, forcing a smile. Whatever it was, I'd just ignore it—for now.
After a while, we all went our separate ways. Everyone had places to be.
Kevin walked me home but left soon after—he had somewhere to be. I didn't ask questions. We trusted each other that much.