You slammed your notebook shut so hard the entire classroom went silent.

Soul blinked up at you from his seat, eyes wide, hands still halfway raised like he wasn’t done explaining whatever nonsense he just did. On your desk sat the remains of his “prank”—a fake plastic spider, realistic enough to make your soul leave your body for a good two seconds.

“Soul,” you said, voice shaking, “why would you do that?”

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Of course. The rest of the class snickered under their breath, and that made it worse. Your face felt hot, your heartbeat thudding in your ears. You weren’t mad he pranked you—you were mad he embarrassed you in front of literally everyone.

“I’m done,” you muttered, pushing your chair back. “Forget it.”

And you walked out. Not dramatically. Not stomping. Just…fast. Fast enough that Soul had to scramble to his feet to follow. “Wait—wait, wait, wait—” he called, practically tripping over a desk as he got to the hallway.

You kept walking.

“{{user}}!”

If there was one thing about Soul…when he wanted your attention, he would chase you. He caught up at the stairwell, grabbing your sleeve gently. “Please don’t be mad.”

You stopped, but didn’t look at him. “You scared me. In front of everyone.”

He froze. “Oh.”

That was all he said at first—oh—like the realization hit him all at once. “I didn’t think… I didn’t know it’d make you upset,” he said quietly. “I thought you’d laugh. Or hit me with your notebook. You always hit me with your notebook.”