Rylan POV
Aira...
[Her name is like a perfume—always lingering around me.]
(It clings to the air I breathe, follows me from home to college, from the hallways to the cafeteria… everywhere.)
[Sometimes I catch myself staring at her when she's talking with her friends.
And sometimes—no, every time—when Luka tucks her hair behind her ear, something tightens inside my chest.]
My jaw clenches, my grip turns hard around whatever I'm holding—a pen, a cup, the edge of the table… anything.
- I didn't understand what it was.
- I even asked ChatGPT—yeah, my AI friend.
- I know I look stupid if anyone ever finds out, but I can't tell my friends everything.
Lewis knows a part of the story… he always jokes like it's some drama.
And Lena? I don't want to drag her into the mess that Aira and I are.
So I asked only one person—
My AI secret keeper.
My unjudging listener.
ChatGPT.
I told him everything—
- How my chest aches when I see her with Luka or anyone else.
- How my pulse jumps when she sits behind him on that bike.
- How she blushes when he whispers something in her ear.
And you know what he said?
He told me I'm jealous.
( Jealous.)
I didn't even know what jealousy truly felt like until now.
- But this girl—
- This one girl who's always around me, who's stitched somewhere inside me—
- She unlocked this stupid emotion inside my heart.
And I don't know whether to be sad… or happy.
Because the one girl I like is the same girl making me feel this new, sharp, burning emotion.
RYLAN POV—College Scene
( Lewis walks beside me, balancing his bag on one shoulder, already talking nonsense this early in the morning.)
"Hey, Rylan, did you finish that economics project?" he nudges me with his elbow.
I sigh and glance at him. "Yeah, I did. You already know—economics and business are my best subjects."
Lewis chuckles. "Yeah, yeah… so-called businessman's son. Future CEO, huh? Sir, please give me a job in your company so I can just eat, sleep, and do nothing."
[ I roll my eyes so hard it hurts.]
"Shut up, Lewis. If I become CEO of my father's company, I'll never hire you. You don't do anything. And you still want free money in your bank account? No way. If I hire you, my dad will kick your ass the second he sees you slacking."
Lewis gasps dramatically. "Wow. Betrayal. This is betrayal from my own brother."
I shake my head, walking toward the college building. "You're not my brother. You're a headache."
Lewis grins. "And yet you still hang out with me. Who's the real loser here?"
{"You."}
The voice comes from my right.
Lena.
(She's been walking next to me this whole time, eyes glued to her phone, not even looking up — but the second Lewis talks nonsense, she strikes like lightning.)
Lewis freezes mid-step. "L-Lena? You were listening?"
She finally lifts her eyes, expression flat as a calm ocean. "Unfortunately."
Lewis clutches his chest dramatically. "Ouch. My heart."
She rolls her eyes. "Good. Maybe it will stop you from talking."
I try not to laugh.
Lena and Lewis are complete opposites.
- She hates noise.
- He is noise.
- She's calm.
- He's chaos.
- And Lewis?
- He's absolutely, hopelessly, pathetically whipped, but if I say that out loud, I'll never hear the end of it.
(We continue walking across the college ground — students everywhere, sunlight hitting the benches, the breeze carrying the smell of cafeteria.)
Lewis jogs ahead and walks backward while facing Lena. "You know, you should appreciate my company. I bring joy into your boring life."
"I prefer silence," she says dryly.
"I can be silent!" he argues.
We both stare at him.
He lasts three seconds.
Then—
"So, what are you doing after class? Want coffee? I can buy you something—"
Lena groans. "Rylan, can you please take your friend away before I drop out of college?"
I shake my head. "He's your problem. You attracted him."
"I DID NOT—"
But Lewis interrupts her with a lovesick sigh.
"I mean… who wouldn't be attracted to her? Look at her. She's like an angry kitten."
Lena's jaw drops. "I—I'm not— Why would you—? Ugh!"
She quickens her steps, walking ahead of us.
Lewis beams. "She's so cute when she's mad."
I punch his shoulder lightly. "You're insane."
He shrugs. "Love makes people crazy."
I arch a brow. "So you do love her."
He trips over his own feet. "I—Shut up, Rylan!"
"But Wait dude… isn't that Aira?" Lewis suddenly says, pointing toward the basketball ground.
I follow his hand.
And my entire body locks.
There—
Right in the middle of the court—
Luka is hugging her.
Not just a friendly pat.
Not a side hug.
A real hug.
Her arms around him.
His arms around her.
Something inside me snaps so hard that even I hear the crack.
My jaw clenches.
My hand tightens around my bag strap until my knuckles turn white.
Lena looks between us, confused.
"Who is she? And Rylan—what happened to your face? You look like you're about to murder someone."
I don't answer.
Because I don't even know what I'll do if I open my mouth.
A part of me wants to march over there,
grab Luka by the wrist,
rip him away from her,
and beat the hell out of him for touching what's mine.
But I stay frozen.
Barely breathing.
Lewis casually adds, "Oh, Lena, you don't know? She's his step-sister. And also… his one-night stand from Greece."
He smirks like he just dropped the hottest gossip of 2025.
Lena's eyes widen. "What do you mean, Lewis?"
Lewis opens his mouth again. "Actually, it happened like—"
"Shut up, Lewis."
My voice cuts through the air like a knife.
He blinks.
Lena steps back slightly.
The air turns sharp around us.
"Stop making fun of people when you can't even handle jokes about yourself."
My voice is low, angry, controlled—but barely.
"I'm going to class. If you two want to come, fine. If not, I don't care."
I storm toward the building, refusing to look back.
Lena calls, "Rylan! Wait—"
But I ignore it.
Because in my head, one image keeps replaying:
Luka's filthy hands on Aira.
Touching her like he has any right.Air
AIRA POV
( My life goes well for a week after the kitchen talk with Rylan. We don't talk much—just a "good morning" at breakfast and a short nod at dinner. Sometimes I feel like he's watching me, but every time I look up, he's suddenly very interested in his food.)
Maybe I'm imagining… maybe not. Whatever.
( My days have been calmer. Luka has started teasing me more, and I swear my cheeks heat up every time. Embarrassed—I tell myself it's embarrassment.)
( My bond with my friends is getting stronger too. And right now, I'm sitting with them in the cafeteria, poking at my sandwich, when my phone vibrates. A message from Luka.)
I click it open.
Luka :- Little liar....
- I need your help.
- Come to the basketball court.
- It's urgent.
I frown.
Before I can reply, another message pops up.
Luka :- And don't make that confused face.
You look cute but also kinda dumb.
So hurry up before I lose my patience and come drag you myself.
My cheeks warm.
Another message comes in instantly.
Luka :- Also, if you don't come in the next 3 minutes… I'm telling everyone in the cafeteria that you still sleep hugging that plushie.
Your choice, cutie.
I slam my phone shut.
"HEY—where are you going?" my friend asks.
[ I stand up quickly.]
"Basketball court," I mutter, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.
( I walked quickly toward the basketball court where Luka was playing, his shirt clinging to his body, sweat glistening under the sunlight—looking effortlessly hot. I forced myself to calm my racing heart and stopped just outside the court.)
Girls were shouting, cheering loudly for Luka and his team. Of course they were.
( I stood there quietly, watching the game. His movements were fast, sharp, and confident—every dribble, every pass perfectly controlled. When he scored a basket, he lifted his head and looked straight at me.)
And then—he winked.
I tried not to blush.
I really did.
But my cheeks betrayed me instantly.
( Some girls in front of me squealed, convinced the wink was meant for them, and I quickly looked away, pretending it didn't affect me.)
( The game continued, intense and exciting, and I found myself completely absorbed in watching him play. When the final whistle blew, Luka walked off the court. A few girls rushed toward him, giggling as they handed him a water bottle.)
He smiled politely…
and walked right past them.
Straight toward me.
Inside, my heart is already racing."So, little liar…" Luka stops right in front of me, still breathing heavily, still sweaty, still annoyingly good-looking. "…you like my gameplay?"
( He leans forward slightly, hands on his hips, eyes locked on mine like he's waiting to catch every reaction.)
I cross my arms, trying to act unaffected even though my heart is punching my ribs.
"You dragged me here. I didn't come to watch you," I lie smoothly.
Luka smirks.
"Oh really? Then why were you staring like I was the national treasure for you ?"
"I wasn't staring!"
He steps even closer, lowering his voice.
"You were. I saw you. Right there." He points to the exact spot where I was standing. "Blushing like someone just proposed to you."
My cheeks burn more.
( Before I can reply, he dramatically wipes sweat from his forehead and flicks it in my direction.)
"EW—Luka!" I step back.
He laughs, that stupid, playful laugh of his.
"Relax, little lair. You're lucky. Girls would kill for this sweat."
I roll my eyes. "Then go give it to them."
"Oh?" he raises a brow and tilts his head. "You sound jealous."
"I'm not!"
He smirks again—dangerously.
"So you admit you care?"
"I did NOT say that—"
He suddenly holds out the water bottle to me.
"Open it for me."
"What? Your hands are literally free."
He wiggles his fingers. "They're tired from scoring… you know… all those points." He grins cockily.
I snatch the bottle and open it with a dramatic sigh.
"Here."
( Instead of taking it, he leans down and drinks directly from my hand while looking straight into my eyes.)
My breath catches.
The girls behind me gasp. Someone mutters, "OMG, is Luka flirting with her?"
When he finishes, he licks a drop from his lip slowly—purposely.
"Thanks, Sweetheart," he whispers, voice low. "You always take care of me, huh?"
I step back, flustered.
"I DID NOT— I just— you're impossible!"
He laughs softly and reaches out to flick my forehead.
"And you're adorable."Before I can even process his stupid smirk, Luka suddenly pulls me forward—
and hugs me.
- Hugs me.
- Right there.
- In front of all the girls who were cheering for him.
- In front of half the cafeteria crowd who came to watch the match.
- In front of EVERYONE.
My brain stops functioning.
My hands are still awkwardly stuck—
one holding the water bottle,
the other holding the bottle cap.
I look like a malfunctioning robot.
Frozen.
Confused.
Stuck between "push him away" or "hug him back" or "just die on the spot."
Gasps explode around us.
"Oh my god—"
"LUKA hugged a girl???"
"Who is she?"
"Bro what—"
Girls behind me go silent.
Some glare.
Some whisper.
Some look like their hearts just broke into ash.
(Meanwhile Luka's arms are completely around me, warm, tight, confident like he's done this a million times.)
My body?
Frozen like I'm in Antarctica.
He leans his head slightly down, close to my ear.
"You okay, little lair?" he whispers, voice teasing but gentle.
I can't even answer.
The bottle cap slips slightly in my hand because my fingers are numbing.
He chuckles softly—
He actually chuckles at my life crisis.
"That's what happens when you stare at me too much," he murmurs.
I somehow find my voice.
"L-Luka… what are you doing?"
He pulls back just enough to look at my face, still holding me.
"What does it look like?" he grins. "Claiming my victory hug."
"That's— that's not even a thing!"
"It is now."
He winks.