NM

In the middle of the exam, I stared blankly at the paper in front of me. The questions seemed to blur together, the ink bleeding into incomprehensible shapes. My mind wasn't here. It was somewhere else—stuck on a memory I desperately wanted to forget.

Greco. Ally. That kiss.

The scene played on an endless loop in my head, each replay squeezing my chest tighter. It wasn't like I had any right to feel this way. Greco didn't belong to me. I shouldn't care.

But why did it hurt so much?

I pressed the pen harder against my paper, the tip digging into the surface until the ink smudged. Our professor's voice broke through the haze, reminding us of the stakes.

"Remember, everyone, you must pass all your subjects. Failure means no summer class options, and finding another school willing to accommodate you will be next to impossible. Vera University doesn't offer Summer Classes, and neither does any school in Vera City or Vera Town."

The urgency in her tone should have motivated me to focus, but it didn't. All I could think about was Greco's face, his laughter, his teasing remarks that never failed to make me smile. And now, that kiss with Ally.

A heavy sigh escaped me. The exam paper remained mostly blank.

Days later, I found myself in the same fog. I couldn't remember half of what I'd done that week or the conversations I'd had. I only knew one thing—I wanted to see Greco, even if he didn't want to see me.

When I stepped off the bus and started my walk toward the university, I caught sight of a familiar group near the soccer field. Renzo, Miles, and Kean were lounging on the grass, laughing and talking animatedly. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed someone else with them.

Fuse.

He was laughing along with them, looking completely at ease. My initial reaction was disbelief. When had he come back? I blinked, half-expecting the scene to disappear, but no—he was really there.

Before I could take a step closer, his gaze shifted. His eyes met mine, and a slow smile spread across his face.

He stood and started walking toward me, his strides confident and unhurried.

"When did you get back?" I asked as he stopped in front of me.

"Yesterday," he said casually, as if his sudden reappearance wasn't a big deal.

I frowned. "And you didn't tell me?"

"Why would I? Are you my girlfriend?"

His teasing tone sent an immediate spark of irritation through me. I scowled at him, crossing my arms. "Want me to dislocate that shoulder of yours?"

Fuse chuckled, the sound warm and easy. "I leave for a bit, and now you're threatening me? What happened to the NM who used to be so sweet?"

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from blurting out the truth—that I'd only been sweet to him because I liked him. I liked him so much that I couldn't bring myself to argue with him back then.

But now?

I frowned, a strange realization dawning on me. Was I able to act this way because... I didn't like him anymore?

No. That couldn't be it.

I shook my head to clear the thought. "Well, it's a good thing you're back. You said you weren't sure if you'd return, remember?"

His expression shifted, the playful glint in his eyes giving way to something more serious. "I had to come back."

I tilted my head, curious. "Why? What for?"

"I have to tell you everything I know about Greco."

His words hit me like a bolt of lightning. My stomach churned. There was something in his tone, a heaviness that made my heart sink.

Before I could ask what he meant, another voice interrupted us from behind.

"Are you sure you know everything about him?"

I turned sharply, my heart jumping into my throat. Tac stood there, his sharp gaze fixed on Fuse. The tension in his expression was palpable, and it sent a chill down my spine.

***

The moment we stepped into Fuse's house, I couldn't help but let my gaze wander, searching every corner of the living room. My heart raced with anticipation, hoping for a glimpse of him.

Greco.

But the space felt hollow. Quiet. The only sounds were our footsteps and the faint laughter of Renzo and the others as they headed straight to the kitchen. My chest tightened as disappointment settled in. I slumped onto the sofa, crossing my arms in frustration.

"You're so obvious," Fuse said suddenly, dropping down onto the seat beside me.

I glanced at him, confused. "What?"

"You're disappointed he's not here."

"I am not!" I shot back, the denial tumbling out too quickly.

Fuse raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

I scowled at him, kicking off my shoes with more force than necessary. "It's actually a good thing he's not here," I added, hoping I sounded convincing.

"Right," he said, drawing out the word. "And I'm a world-class pianist."

"Can you just go away?" I muttered, leaning back into the couch and turning my gaze to the ceiling.

Fuse stood, brushing off his pants. "If you say so. But you're going to starve sitting here sulking."

"I'm not sulking!" I yelled after him, but he was already halfway to the kitchen.

I stayed rooted on the sofa, arms crossed tighter. I wasn't hungry—not for food, anyway. What I craved was something else entirely, something I couldn't name.

Minutes passed, and I was startled when Fuse reappeared, standing in front of me with an impatient look.

"What now?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.

He didn't answer. Instead, he reached out and took hold of my arm, his grip firm but not rough.

"Come on," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I blinked up at him, momentarily stunned. "Where—"

"To the kitchen," he interrupted. "You can't study if you're running on empty."

"I'm fine," I argued, trying to pull my arm back, but he didn't let go.

"Stop being stubborn," Fuse said, his voice softer now. "You'll feel better after you eat."

He gave my arm a gentle tug, and before I knew it, I was on my feet, following him into the kitchen.

When we walked in, Renzo, Miles, and Kean were already seated around the table, laughing over something I hadn't caught. A pizza box sat open between them, its aroma filling the air and making my stomach betray me with a loud growl.

Miles noticed us first. He grinned mischievously. "Finally! Took you long enough to bring her here, Fuse. What were you two doing, flirting on the couch?"

I rolled my eyes. "As if," I muttered, brushing past Fuse to grab a plate.

"Come on, NM," Kean teased, wagging his eyebrows. "You two would make a cute couple."

"Gross," I shot back, plopping down in the nearest chair.

"Not so fast," Miles said, leaning forward with a smirk. "I think Fuse might secretly like the idea."

Fuse, who had been pouring himself a glass of water, snorted. "Yeah, right. She's like an annoying little sister."

"Excuse me?" I said, turning to glare at him.

Fuse gave me an exaggerated shrug. "What? I'm just being honest."

"You're unbelievable," I muttered, grabbing a slice of pizza and biting into it more aggressively than necessary.

"Careful," Renzo said with a laugh. "At this rate, you're going to eat the whole box."

"Let her," Fuse said, sitting beside me. "Maybe if she's full, she'll stop being such a grump."

"I'm not a grump!" I protested, but the words were muffled by another bite of pizza.

Miles leaned back in his chair, eyeing us with a smirk. "You know, the two of you argue like an old married couple."

I froze, my cheeks flushing. "Do not," I mumbled.

Fuse laughed, reaching for a slice of his own. "Keep dreaming, Miles."

As the others continued to joke, I found my attention drifting back to Fuse. He was laughing, his smile easy and carefree, and for a moment, I envied how effortlessly he fit into this scene.

Then, out of nowhere, he turned to me.

"You've been staring at me for a while," he said, his tone casual. "Something on my face?"

I startled, nearly dropping my slice. "No! I wasn't staring!"

Fuse leaned closer, narrowing his eyes. "You totally were."

I pushed my chair back, trying to create some space. "Don't flatter yourself."

He chuckled, leaning back. "Whatever you say."

But I couldn't leave it alone. I fidgeted with the crust of my pizza, my mind racing. Finally, I blurted out, "What if I told you I used to like you?"

The room went silent. Renzo and Miles both turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of shock and amusement.

Fuse blinked, clearly caught off guard, before a slow smile spread across his face. "Used to?"

"Yes," I said quickly, my face burning. "As in, not anymore."

He tilted his head, studying me. "I already knew you liked me back then."

My jaw dropped. "What? How?"

Fuse shrugged. "I'm not that oblivious, NM."

I stared at him, dumbfounded. How had he known? I thought I'd been subtle.

"And," he added, his voice softer now, "I also know that you're not interested in me anymore. Because you're in love with Greco."

The room felt like it had dropped ten degrees. I stared at him, unable to speak.

"Am I wrong?" he asked, his tone gentle but firm.

I looked away, my heart pounding. "I... I don't know what you're talking about."

Fuse leaned closer, his voice low. "You do."

The air seemed to leave the room. I stared at him, unable to form a response. Was it really that obvious?