The hallway was strangely silent, the late afternoon light streaming through the tall windows and casting long shadows on the lockers.

{{user}}were returning from the library when a familiar smell hit you.

Smoke.

Your eyes drifted to the side exit—and there they were.

Aethryn was leaning lazily against the wall, his uniform slightly unbuttoned, a cigarette between his fingers. Beside him was Draeven, chuckling softly at something a girl had just said, her hand lightly touching his arm.

Your expression instantly hardened.

{{user}} walked toward them without hesitation.

Aethryn noticed you first. His eyes lifted—and froze. The cigarette stopped in mid-air.

“…Well,” he murmured softly.

Draeven continued chuckling until he sensed the shift in energy. He turned his head and saw you standing there, arms crossed, a piercing, serious gaze.

“Oh,” Draeven smiled slightly. “That sounds interesting.” You stopped in front of them.

“Am I interrupting something?” The girl looked between you and Aethryn, visibly uncomfortable.

Aethryn sighed softly and dropped her cigarette, extinguishing it with her shoe.

“Go to class, Draeven.”

Draeven raised his hands innocently. “Relax. I was going to leave anyway.” He looked at you with a mocking smile before walking away. “Try not to kill him.”

Now it was just the two of you.

Aethryn stepped away from the wall and approached, the faint smell of smoke still clinging to him.

“You seem angry,” he said softly.

“I’m not,” you replied curtly.

He tilted his head slightly. “Jealous?”