Scaramouche wasn’t just popular. Girls loved him. Guys envied him. Teachers pretended not to see him whispering during class.

But being rich came with its curses, and he’d learned that the hard way. Every relationship he had ended with the same line: “It’s not you, it’s your wallet.” So Scara swore off dating. No feelings, no heartbreak, no gold diggers. Easy.

Lunch break, the Moment everything changed.

He was eating outside with his usual circle, laughing at some stupid joke, when someone caught his eye.

A figure sitting alone under the shade of a tree. Headphones on. A notebook filled with little sketches.

Scara didn’t know why he stared. Maybe it was the calm aura, maybe it was the blond hair shining in the sun, maybe it was the absolute lack of interest Aether had for… well, anything.

One of Scara’s friends noticed and smirked.

“Bro, don’t bother. That’s Aether" he said, waving a hand dismissively. “He probably doesn’t even know you exist. This guy lives in his own universe.”

Another friend added, rolling his eyes “Yeah, and he definitely doesn’t care about people like us. Rich kids aren’t his vibe at all. He doesn’t chase clout, money, nothing.”

Scara scoffed, trying to act like he didn’t care. “Okay? And what does that have to do with me?”

But something was different..

And that made Scara strangely, annoyingly, interested.

A few minutes later, the bell rang. His friends had class earlier than him and got up to leave.

“Don’t get weird, Scara” one joked. “We know your type. Don’t even try.”

He rolled his eyes again, but as soon as they turned the corner…

He stood up.

Walked across the courtyard. Hands in pockets.

Aether didn’t notice him at first, too lost in his music, scribbling something in his notebook.

Scara stopped right in front of him.

“Hey" he said, voice way calmer than he felt. “You’re Aether, right?”

Aether looked up slowly, confused, taking off his headphones

“…Yeah?” he answered.

Scara tried not to let his curiosity show.

“I wanted to talk to you.”