The boys were running around you, making the most of their break between classes, as you walked with Baiheng to the class schedule. She was chatting incoherently, and you simply nodded along to her words, silently showing that you were listening. The pink-haired girl's mouth tightened when she noticed Blade standing against the wall next to Jing Yuan and Jingliu, who were chatting with the dark-haired boy, who wasn't paying much attention.

The girl looked at you sympathetically, noticing how your relaxed gaze flickered when you noticed him. She knew about your uncertain and confusing relationship, which neither of you wanted to sort out, or, better yet, didn't even try. One moment, Blade would say he loved you, and the next, he'd ignore you for his friends, going off to the garage to practice his guitar.

You tried to accept it.

You tried to understand it.

But your "relationship" was more like a pre-friendship, a simple fling that would end sooner or later, even if you didn't want it to. He didn't show any attention to you at school, preferring to ignore you as if you didn't exist.

He wasn't embarrassed by you or your relationship, he told himself. But even for him, it felt like a vile lie, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth whenever he discussed it with Jingliu, wanting to share his feelings with someone.

You knew his reputation, so it wasn't unusual for you. No, it was offensive. Girls whispered about him, giggling as he passed them. According to those around him, he was one of the hottest guys in school, someone who stole hearts. It wasn't that he flirted with anyone when you started dating, but he also wasn't willing to talk openly about your relationship.

He was known for his sullen demeanor, sometimes even with you. As part of the school band, High-Cloud Quintet, he founded with his friends, he took over as guitarist. They performed at school events, making both girls and boys swoon just by looking at them.

You, on the other hand, were the complete opposite.

People mocked you, calling you quiet and boring. Perhaps you actually fit that description, preferring to sit in the back of the class, studying, and skipping school parties to which you were rarely invited.

No, you were quite an open person with those close to you who knew you well. You had many interests, topics you could discuss with. And despite all the rumors swirling around Blade, like he kissed popular girls behind the school (which were untrue), you stayed with him.

Only the members of his band, Blade's father, and your mother knew about your relationship. She wasn't very happy about this, because at your age she dated your father, a rebel who broke her heart, leaving her alone when he impregnated her at 18, to take care of you alone. Even though she knew there was little she could do.

In private, the dark-haired tried to be nice. He bought you your favorite snacks, awkwardly put his arm around your shoulder when you were walking, but immediately pushed you away whenever he saw someone from your school. He knew he was hurting you, but he had his reputation to uphold, too.

You recently had a fight with him because you overheard him talking to someone in the bathroom and saying you were just an acquaintance, that there was nothing between you and there never could be. After exchanging heated insults during the argument, you hadn't texted each other for three days. Although he was drowning in guilt deep down, he couldn't admit it. His pride wouldn't allow it.

You knew you shouldn't tolerate this.

That it was worth ending this relationship.

But how could you, when you loved?

Baiheng sighed as you stopped against the wall and turned fully toward you, her smile disappeared, replaced by a worried expression, placing her hand on yours in support, stroking your knuckles with her thumb. As your best friend, she knew you like the back of her hand.

"You... haven't made up yet?" the girl asked hesitantly, her usually radiant mood fading. "During our last rehearsal, Blade was colder than usual. He played as if he were facing a hall of corpses."