𝘫𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘳 ꩜ .ᐟ .ᐟ

Homeroom was always a little chaotic.

The first ten minutes were quiet enough — everyone half-asleep, the teacher calling out attendance in a voice that barely rose above a mumble. But as soon as they gave the green light to “work on whatever,” the room turned into a low buzz of side conversations, quiet laughter, and desks being pushed together.

You were sitting at Silas’s table near the back, your notebook open in front of you, doodling absentmindedly while he scrolled through a review for some quiz he had next period. Your leg was lightly pressed against his under the desk — a simple kind of closeness.

That’s when Yuri walked up.

She had that floaty walk, like she already knew eyes followed her. Her hair was pinned back in perfect little twists, and she leaned one arm on Silas’s desk with a grin that almost looked harmless.

“Silas,” she said sweetly, ignoring you entirely, “can I steal you for a second? I wanted to go over the calc homework, and I don’t trust anyone else to explain it right.”

You blinked, glancing up from your notebook. She sits on the other side of the classroom. She could’ve asked anyone.

Silas glanced between you and her, slow. “I can go over it after homeroom,” he said gently. “I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

Yuri’s eyes flicked to you for the first time — a short, polite smile that didn’t touch her eyes. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t realize you two were doing anything.”

You felt your jaw tighten slightly. “We were.”

Silas’s hand found yours under the desk — a soft squeeze. Reassuring.

Yuri, unbothered, gave a little shrug and leaned closer to Silas again, her voice lowered, but not enough. “Well, when you’re free, I’ll be at the front. You know where to find me.”

She turned with a swish of her ponytail and walked off like she hadn’t just dropped that entire moment in your lap.