The hallway was quiet. The only sound was their breathing and the beating of their own hearts.
Luna was looking down at Rina, but her expression had changed. The playful smirk was gone. The teasing tone was gone.
In its place was a look of pure, intense seriousness. Her eyes were dark, deep, and burning with an emotion Rina had never seen before.
Luna took a step closer, trapping Rina completely against the wall. She didn't touch her yet, but her presence was overwhelming.
"You asked if your revenge was good..." Luna started, her voice low and husky. "It was torture, Rina. Seeing you smile at other people... it almost drove me crazy."
Rina looked up, her breath caught in her throat. "L-Luna..."
"You think I act friendly with those girls because I like them?" Luna shook her head slowly. "No. I don't even look at them. Because my eyes... they are always fixed on you."
Rina's cheeks were burning. "W-What are you saying..."
"I'm saying I'm tired of pretending," Luna said firmly. She took her phone out of her pocket and held it up. "I'm saying... I'm completely obsessed with you."
She unlocked the screen and showed it to Rina.
Rina's eyes widened.
The wallpaper wasn't some cool picture or abstract art. It was a photo of Rina. It was taken secretly Rina was sitting under the tree, reading a book, looking focused and beautiful.
"This is just the start," Luna said, then started swiping through her gallery.
Click.
A photo of Rina writing on the blackboard.
Click.
A photo of Rina eating lunch, cheeks puffed out.
Click.
A photo of Rina sleeping in class (looking angelic even when sleeping).
Click.
Screenshots of Rina's old social media posts even ones from years ago!
"I stalk your social media every single day," Luna admitted shamelessly, her eyes never leaving Rina's shocked face. "I read every caption, I save every photo. I know what you like, what you hate, what time you usually go online..."
She put the phone away and placed both hands on the wall beside Rina's head, leaning in closer until their foreheads almost touched.
"Do you know how many times I've watched you from afar?" Luna whispered. "In the library, in the cafeteria, in the hallways... I memorized every single expression on your face. I know when you're happy, I know when you're stressed, I know when you're lying."
"Luna..." Rina's eyes started to water. She was shocked, yes, but more than that... she was overwhelmed. "You... you really do all that?"
"I do," Luna said firmly, her voice softening. "Because I like you, Rina. I don't just like you as a rival, and I don't just like you as a friend. I like-like you. I'm crazy about you."
Tears finally spilled from Rina's eyes.
"I intentionally got second place because seeing you happy is the only thing that matters to me," Luna continued, pouring out all her feelings. "I get jealous when you talk to others. I get happy when you smile at me. I want to be the only one who makes you laugh, the only one who holds your hand, the only one you look at."
She looked deeply into Rina's teary eyes.
"I'm obsessed with you, Rina. It's always been you. Only you."
Silence fell between them.
Rina stood there, frozen, feeling like her heart was going to explode from happiness and shock. All this time... Luna wasn't just being nice. She loved her. She really loved her this whole time.
All the teasing, all the treats, all the sacrifices... it was all because of love.
"Luna..." Rina sobbed softly, covering her face with her hands. "You idiot... why didn't you tell me sooner... I... I..."
Luna panicked slightly, thinking she made her cry out of fear or rejection. She quickly tried to wipe her tears.
"Hey... hey don't cry! I'm sorry! I know it's weird to stalk photos and stuff, I just—"
But Rina grabbed Luna's wrists and stopped her. She looked up, eyes glistening with tears but smiling the brightest smile Luna had ever seen.
"I like you too, Luna!" Rina shouted, voice cracking but full of emotion. "I like you so much! I was just too scared to say it!"
Luna froze.
Time seemed to stop.
"Y-You..." Luna stammered, losing her cool composure for the first time ever. "You do?"
"Yes!" Rina nodded vigorously, wiping her tears. "I was so jealous today! I was so happy you got jealous too! I... I want to be yours too!"
Hearing those words, Luna's face broke into the biggest, happiest grin ever. She looked like she won the lottery.
Without warning, Luna pulled Rina into a tight, crushing hug, burying her face in Rina's neck.
"God... you have no idea how happy I am right now," Luna mumbled, voice shaky with relief and joy. "You're mine now? Really mine?"
"Mmm," Rina nodded, hugging her back just as tight, feeling safe and complete in her arms. "I'm yours. Only yours."
"And you don't think it's creepy that I have hundreds of photos of you?" Luna asked playfully, pulling back slightly to look at her face.
Rina blushed deep red but smiled shyly. "No... it makes me feel... special."
"You are special," Luna whispered, then gently booped her nose. "You are the most special person in the world to me."
To be continued in chapter 11>>(๑¯◡¯๑)