Time: 10:41 PM
Location: College campus — deserted halls, rain outside, one light left on in the sports room.
The hallway was dead silent.
The walls, dimly lit. Rain tapping softly on the windows.
Evelyn Vioré moved quietly, arms wrapped around herself for warmth.
She wasn't supposed to be here.
But she needed her Chemistry notebook — her mind wouldn't rest until she had it back.
She reached the lecture wing... and stopped.
The sports room door was slightly open.
A faint light flickered inside.
Curiosity pulled her toward it. Slowly. Carefully.
She peeked in.
And froze.
There he was.
Ardreic Vaelor.
Sprawled on the mat floor.
One leg bent, jacket half unzipped, his cheek bruised and bleeding.
He was asleep — or maybe passed out. His bag lay beside him, torn at the strap.
No one else was around.
He looked...
Vulnerable.
Not like the boy who shoved her bottle earlier.
Not the monster with the smirk.
Just… a tired boy with blood on his face, sleeping in a cold room.
Eve stood there for a moment.
Heart pounding.
Logic screaming walk away.
But her feet moved forward.
Quietly, gently, she knelt beside him.
Her fingers hesitated mid-air before brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead.
"Why do you always try so hard to be cruel..." she whispered.
"You look more human when you're hurting."
She reached into her sling bag, pulled out a small floral pouch — her mini first-aid kit.
Without waking him, she took a cotton pad and cleaned the cut on his cheek, wincing slightly as it bled again.
Then she opened a bandage, carefully pressed it against his skin.
He shifted slightly in his sleep.
Her heart stopped.
But he didn't wake up.
She exhaled. Sat back on her knees.
Then… lifted the strap of his bag off his shoulder — it was heavy.
She placed it gently on the bench nearby.
Spotted the thin blanket the sports committee kept folded in the corner. She brought it over and draped it across his chest, tucking it in like she had once done for her little cousin.
Then, she stood.
Her Chemistry notebook lay on the far table.
She picked it up… looked at him one last time.
His face looked softer now. Eyes shut. The bandage fresh.
Like maybe, somewhere in his dreams, he wasn't hurting anyone. Not even himself.
"You'll never know I was here…" she whispered at the door.
"But I did what I had to."
And with that, Eve walked out.
Leaving behind silence.
And a boy who had no idea that for the first time in years… someone had cared.....
~~~~
Time: Next morning, 6:19 AM
Location: Sports Room
A ray of cold morning light hit Ardreic's face, forcing his eyes open.
His body ached — his right shoulder especially. The old bruise on his cheek throbbed.
He slowly sat up, hand going to his face to—
Pause.
His fingers touched soft fabric.
A bandage.
Clean. Neat. Gentle pressure on the cut.
He blinked.
Then looked down at himself.
His bag wasn't on his shoulder anymore. It was neatly placed on the bench.
And there was a thin, worn-out school blanket draped across him — the same one folded in the sports closet.
His breath slowed. Eyes narrowed.
"What the hell…"
He stood up fast. The world spun slightly from the blood loss the night before.
Someone had touched him.
Someone had… helped him.
And the worst part?
He didn't know who.
Location: College courtyard, around 10:30 AM
Vibe: Calm on the surface. But underneath? Jealousy, obsession, and confusion colliding.
Eve sat on a garden bench beneath a cherry blossom tree, gently turning pages in her notebook. A soft breeze lifted strands of her hair, and the tiny bow at the end of her braid bounced on her shoulder.
She was humming softly.
Oblivious.
Untouched by the storm circling around her.
But he was watching.
Ardreic Vaelor, leaning against the third-floor railing, eyes locked on her.
Blank face. One leg crossed over the other. The bandage still on his cheek.
She hadn't looked at him once.
Not even by accident.
Not even when their paths crossed earlier that day.
And now…
Lerris Kaelthorn was approaching her.
Slow, easy steps. Black hoodie sleeves pushed up. Chain dangling from his fingers like he just took it off someone he beat up.
He stopped in front of her, casting a shadow across her notebook.
Eve looked up, blinking. "Oh," she smiled politely. "Hi?"
Lerris tilted his head, voice smooth as poison wrapped in silk.
"Didn't think sunshine like you sits alone. What happened? Your sparkle ran out?"
Eve tilted her head, genuinely confused. "Huh?"
Lerris let out a quiet, amused scoff. "Cute. You really don't get sarcasm, do you?"
She gave him a soft smile, eyes still warm. "I try not to assume the worst in people."
Lerris leaned forward a bit, voice low.
"That'll get you hurt one day, Skirt Girl."
Eve chuckled, brushing hair from her face. "Maybe. But not today."
And just like that, she turned back to her notebook, completely unaware of the storm she left behind her.
Lerris stared for a second, then shook his head and smirked to himself.
"What a damn paradox," he muttered as he walked away.
Above, Ardreic's jaw ticked.
He had seen it all.
The way Lerris leaned in.
The way she smiled back.
The way Lerris smirked like he knew something Ardreic didn't.
Ardreic's hand curled around the metal railing.
He hated this feeling.
Not jealousy.
Powerlessness.
And behind a tree not far from the bench…
Ella.
Fingernails digging into her palm, teeth gritted so tight it hurt.
She had watched Ardreic watch her.
Watch Eve smile.
Watch Lerris smirk.
Watch everything he used to ignore now suddenly matter.
"No," Ella whispered.
"No, no, no. She doesn't get to break him. That's mine."