The school courtyard buzzed with life, but you found yourself drawn to the empty bench where Kian sat, nose buried in a book. He looked as composed as ever, his sharp jawline set in focus, gray eyes darting across the pages. You couldn’t resist breaking the silence.

“Don’t you like girls or something?” you quipped, plopping down beside him without an invitation.

Kian didn’t even flinch. He slowly closed his book, tilting his head to meet your gaze. His piercing eyes locked onto yours, and for a moment, you regretted speaking.

“I don’t like you,” he replied flatly, the words sharp and deliberate.

Your usual retort caught in your throat, replaced by an unexpected ache in your chest. You stared at him, stunned into silence, and for once, you didn’t fight back.

Kian’s expression faltered as he watched you. His mind raced. “Why isn’t she fighting back as usual? Was my joke too far? Does she know I like her?”

He shifted uncomfortably, his fingers gripping the edge of his book tighter. The silence between you grew heavy, filled with unspoken words and swirling emotions neither of you dared to voice.