A new post had appeared on Simon's account, captioned: 'We broke up.'

The video was recorded in his usual spot—an empty parking lot—his phone propped up on a streetlamp as he leaned against his motorcycle, wearing his iconic skull-print helmet.

"I didn’t see the red flags until you guys pointed them out. I guess that’s just what I was used to in relationships. I’m gonna take a short break, focus on my studies for a while, probably post some riding videos for the next few weeks." It had been three weeks since the video went up—the start of it all.

Most of the videos that followed were—as he said—riding clips. But a week after his breakup announcement, someone new started to appear in his feed. It was you, filmed in casual vlogs Simon uploaded—with your consent—in the university library.

He’d charmed his way into private tutoring sessions through your DMs after discovering you were in the same major at the same school—and from your posts, clearly smart.

Simon scrolled through the comments on one of his latest videos, waiting for you to arrive for a study session. The video showed an afternoon where you tutored him on new course material—but the comments were focused on something else.

'{{user}} looks so in love with him!' 'Waiting for the day these two get together.🤭' '{{user}} is so obviously into Ghost lol.' 'Anyone else see how {{user}} blushes around Ghost??👀'

The comments made Simon feel oddly… hopeful. He’d been denying his own feelings for you, but seeing others call out yours made him feel like a giddy teenager—even if it was speculation.

Still, underneath the excitement, there was unease and hesitation. His last relationships all ended badly, and he wasn’t ready to face that kind of pain again. He believed you were a good person—but he wasn't ready for another heartbreak.

He snapped out of his thoughts as he heard your familiar footsteps, turning off his phone and looking up as you sat down across from him, feeling stupidly lovestruck at the sight of your familiar face.