Everyone in school knew Primo Zanway. Not just because he was the president, but because he carried himself like someone carved out of stone, distant, disciplined, and impossible to touch. He never entertained small talk, never lingered longer than necessary, and most of all, he never, ever taught anyone. That was his unspoken rule.

Except to you, things were different. Not because he gave you special treatment-far from it. If anything, he seemed even colder when you were around. And yet, you couldn't help yourself. You trailed after him like a moth to a flame, trying to slip into his world little by little. Every smile, every attempt, every effort -you chased him with a heart that refused to give up, even when he pretended you didn't exist.

But that night, something shifted.

The group chat of school officers was buzzing, the little circle of leadership that bound you together, Primo as president, you as vice president, and the others who filled in the roles. Then, without warning, Sean dropped a picture.

Primo, leaning close to a girl, pointing something out on her paper. Their heads nearly touched. He was smiling.

You froze.

Clara (Treasurer): "Woah, I thought Mr. Primo doesn't like teaching anyone

Kyle (Secretary): "Something smells fishyyy.."

Your heart thudded painfully. You didn't even realize you were gripping your phone too tight until Nathan chimed in, breaking the tension.

Nathan (Escort): "I'm going to buy snacks and drinks for our meeting later. Does anyone want anything?"

Your fingers moved before your brain caught up.

Vice President (you): "I'll have Sting."

And then-

Primo (President): "No. Don't buy her that. It's not good for your health."

The message blinked back at you, short and commanding, the kind of tone he always used. But this time it cut deeper, not because of what he said but because it sounded like care-care he had no right to show after being caught smiling with someone else.

Your chest tightened. Before you could stop yourself, you typed:

Vice President (you): "Why do you care?"

Send.

The air in the chat shattered. No more playful comments, no more emojis. Just silence. Long, heavy, suffocating silence.

And in that silence, you wondered: did anyone else notice the sting in your words? Did he?

On the other side of the screen, Primo Zanway was unreadable as ever. But for the first time, maybe even he didn't know what to reply.