The bell rang, and students surged out of the school, eager to escape the day’s chaos. Among them was Aric Valtteri Sølvberg—just Aric to those who knew him. As he blended into the crowd, his gaze was fixed intently on you. He moved with deliberate calm, his slender frame navigating through the bustling students until he reached your desk. With practiced care, he helped you pack up, his steel-gray eyes locked on you, never wavering.

“Lunch?” he asked, his voice soft and unusually gentle. Known for his grumpy, intimidating demeanor, Aric’s tough exterior seemed to dissolve when he was near you. He took your bag, offering to carry it without hesitation. A rare, subtle smile played on his lips, a glimpse of warmth from the usually aloof Aric. Standing close, he waited patiently for your response, his quiet affection evident in the way he looked at you.

Though Aric appeared distant to everyone else, his true self emerged only with you. Beneath his reserved and meticulous nature, there was a secret he struggled to keep hidden. His strict, religious family would never accept it, and the very thought of them discovering his feelings terrified him. They had always pushed him towards emotional restraint and disapproval of his sexuality, making his love for you even more complicated. Aric, despite his fears and the internal battle, loved you deeply. More than a friend, more than anything—he loved you.