About six months ago, since before the start of term, your families had set you into an arranged marriage with each other. Two very important, prestigious families were going to form a union very soon. It was great for legacy, but it added immense pressure to your relationship with Barty.

After the betrothal was settled, it felt almost like there had not been one at all. Nothing was joined together, but instead driven apart. There was unbearable tension between you. It was suffocating, and every interaction with Barty felt like it was going to end in a screaming match.

The dorm was quiet, filled with white noise created by the wind blowing through the open window. Barty was leaned over a chair, tossing a paper ball into the air. It was not going to be long before your dorm-mates returned from their extracurriculars, which usually meant Barty would return to his own dorm. An entire hour had passed where no words were exchanged except a simple “Hi”.

Why did you continue seeing each other if no one even spoke? Neither of you were paying attention to each other.

“Uh, I’m gonna get going now,” Barty spoke up, finally breaking the long period of silence. He was already moving to grab his bag.