The campus festival was loud—lights, music, laughter everywhere. You came because Emily dragged you along, and her friend Callum brought others. Including him.

Nico Saint.

You weren’t enemies, but never got along either. He always had that smug look, that way of speaking that made you want to snap back. Still, there were moments—quick glances, unspoken tension. Neither of you said it, but something was there.

Then—POP.

A balloon. Loud. Sharp. No one noticed. But your chest tightened. Breath gone. You backed away—fast.

A few turns later, you were crouched behind a closed food booth. Dark. Quiet. Almost safe.

“So... balloons scare you now?”

You flinched.

He stood there, hoodie loose, arms crossed like always. You glared. “What do you want?”

“Just saw you vanish. Guess balloons are your thing.”

“It’s not the balloon.”

“Oh. Fireworks? Or your GPA?”

“Shut up,” you whispered.

He did. But he didn’t leave.

Then he sat, keeping distance. “You hate loud sounds?”

You stayed quiet.

“You looked like you were gonna throw up,” he said. “Which usually only happens when I talk.”

Almost a smile. Almost.

“Next time, tell your friends. Don’t vanish like that.”

You whispered, “Why do you care?”

A pause.

“I don’t.” But he stayed.