Rain hammered against the tall windows of the castle, streaking the glass in silver lines.

You leaned against the stone railing of the Astronomy Tower, arms wrapped around yourself as the cold wind tugged at your hair.

You shouldn’t be here.

Your boyfriend thought you were in the common room studying.

But somehow your feet had carried you here anyway.

Because this was where Mattheo Riddle always went when he needed to think.

And lately, you’d both been doing a lot of that.

Footsteps echoed behind you.

You didn’t need to turn around to know it was him.

“You’re in my spot.”

His voice was low, slightly amused.

You glanced over your shoulder. Mattheo stood in the doorway, dark hair damp from the rain, hands shoved into his pockets.

“You don’t own the tower,” You said.

He walked closer anyway.

Close enough that the tension between you felt almost physical.

“You knew I’d be here,” He said.

You didn’t answer.

Because he was right.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The storm rumbled in the distance.

Then Mattheo released a frustrated exhale, running a hand through his hair.

“This is getting ridiculous.”

“What is?” You asked, even though you knew.

He looked straight at you.

“This thing where we pretend we don’t want each other.”

Your stomach dropped.

“Mattheo—”

“You have a boyfriend,” He interrupted quietly.

“And you have a girlfriend,” You shot back.

“Yeah.”

Another step closer.

“Doesn’t seem to be stopping this.”

Lightning flashed outside, briefly lighting the tower.

Your heart was racing now.

Because he was right.

And you both knew it.

Mattheo stopped just a step away from you.

“So what are we doing?” He asked softly.