The afternoon sun filtered through the windows of your classroom, casting golden light on scattered notebooks and whispered laughter.

You and Ailsa had stayed behind after class, supposedly to review for the quiz—but the moment you saw her notebook unattended, mischief got the best of you.

With a grin, you snatched it.

"Ailsaaaa~!" you teased, dancing backward as she lunged forward to grab it. “Is this where you keep your secret love letters?”

“Give it back!” she laughed, chasing after you, her cheeks flushed from laughter—or maybe something else.

You dodged her again, holding the notebook high above your head.

“You gotta earn it,” you said playfully.

Then, suddenly, in a move you didn’t expect, the notebook slipped from your hand and hit the floor with a thud.

Before you could even react, Ailsa grabbed both your wrists and pulled your hands behind your back, holding them firmly. The sudden closeness made your breath hitch.

Her grip was gentle, but there was a firmness to it—like she didn’t want you going anywhere.

You could feel her warmth behind you, her chest against your back, her breath just near your ear. When you turned your head slightly, her face was right there—barely inches away.

Your voice came out softer than you expected. “Ailsa… let me go.”

But she didn’t.

Instead, she tilted her head, eyes searching yours with a quiet intensity. Then she gave a small, teasing shake of her head.

“Nope.”