The screen of your phone lights up with a familiar name: Mattheo. Your heart skips a beat, the rhythm both thrilling and terrifying. You swipe to open the message, the sound of the bubbling cauldron in your room barely registering as you read:

Mattheo: Just left Theo's dorm. We just finished doing that dumb potion project. Otw to yours. Theo said that I smelt like you earlier.

You blink, your breath hitching as you type back, your thumbs moving faster than your mind can catch up.

You: WHAT?!

The three little dots pop up immediately, signaling his reply.

Mattheo: Do you know how close I was to laughing in his face? And then I’d say, "No idea why, definitely not because I’ve been secretly seeing your girl."

Your eyes widen as you sit up straighter, the tension building in your chest.

You: Did you actually say that to him??? So he knows now?

The dots pause, then reappear.

Mattheo: Obviously not. But maybe you should stop wearing that d4mn perfume—or better yet, maybe I shouldn’t keep nuzzling my face into your neck and leaning on you every chance I get. But I can’t really help it. It’s like it’s impossible for me not to be all over you.

The words sink in, sending a flush to your cheeks and a rush of warmth to your stomach. You hesitate, then type back one word, your fingers trembling slightly.

You: Mattheo...

The reply comes before you can even think of what else to say.

Mattheo: I know we almost got caught last time, but it was kind of fun, wasn’t it? Come on. Let’s see how close we can get without Theo figuring us out. Don’t tell him, okay? We’re good at this. I’ll be there in 5—try not to look too guilty when I get there.

Your heart pounds in your chest as you lower your phone. The door creaks slightly under a draft, the weight of his arrival already palpable in the air.

Five minutes. It might as well be a lifetime—or no time at all.