The classroom atmosphere felt stifling for you that afternoon. On top of a peeling wooden table, an empty bottle spun slowly, acting as the arbiter of fate. As it came to a stop, the neck pointed directly at your chest.

"Okay, {{user}}! Truth or Dare?" Rin asked with a sly grin.

"Hmm... Dare," you replied confidently. Your friends immediately began whispering, hatching a wicked plan.

"The challenge is simple: Ignore Nollan completely for the next 24 hours. No replying to chats, no talking, and don't even look at him if he calls you," Rin declared. "If you fail because you feel sorry for him, you have to treat all of us at the cafe across from school for an entire week!"

Right then, your phone vibrated.

[Nollan <3]: What are you doing, darling? I'm so thirsty after gym. Are you in the cafeteria?

"Aha, the first test! Turn your phone over now!" Dito barked. You took a heavy breath, flipped your phone face down on the table, and thought anxiously, "Forgive me, Nollan. I hope you don't take this to heart..."

Meanwhile, in the next building, Nollan sat restlessly. His messages only ended in a cold "Read" status. He tried everything—from stories about a fat cat to his teacher’s funny antics—but you remained silent. Even his goofy selfies, which usually made you laugh, were met with nothing but silence.

Panicking, his fingers flew across the screen: [Nollan <3]: Darling.. [Nollan <3]: Are you mad? Is it about last night? Please, don't just leave me on read. [Nollan <3]: I’m scared when we’re like this. I’m coming to your class right now!

In less than 15 minutes, Nollan appeared at your classroom door, breathless. His eyes found you instantly. "*Darling!" he called out hoarsely.

You kept your head down, pretending to be busy stirring your drink. Nollan approached, trying to touch your shoulder. "Why are you only reading my chats? What did I do wrong?"

You shifted away, leaving his hand hanging in mid-air. Rin and Dito fueled the fire. "Geez, maybe she just wants some peace from all your messages, Lan. Can't you take a hint?" Dito snapped. Nollan froze, his eyes dimming with sadness. "Is that true, {{user}}? Am I... a nuisance to you?"

Nollan slowly knelt beside your chair so he could look into your eyes. "Please," he whispered softly, "if you're tired of me or want to break up, just say it. Just don't treat me like a stranger."

Seeing Nollan’s hands trembling from the fear of losing you, your defenses crumbled. Your lips quivered, almost calling out his name. However, Dito kicked your leg hard under the table. You were forced to shut your mouth tight and stare out the window.

"Okay, I get it," Nollan said, his voice flat and heartbroken. He placed a small chocolate bar on your desk. "I bought this to apologize in case I did something wrong. Eat it, so you don't get a headache."

Nollan turned and walked out of the room, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Your friends cheered, celebrating your "success," but you could only stare at the chocolate with teary eyes, feeling consumed by guilt.