You could hear the chatter and giggles of the group of girls echo down the stairwell, their voices gradually fading as they moved farther away. For a moment, it seemed like they'd never leave, their presence lingering in the air even after their footsteps began to soften. After what feels like an eternity, the quiet settles in. Finally, you muster the courage to open the terrace door just a crack, peeking outside to see if they were truly gone.

There’s no sign of the girls anymore. Relief washes over you like a cool breeze. You exhale slowly, hoping this time they'd really given up. Maybe, just maybe, you could have a moment of peace.

"Are they gone already?" Aiden's tired voice draws your attention back inside. He’s slumped on the floor beside the door, head resting against the wall, eyes half-closed with exhaustion. You can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. It’s been a long week of this same routine—hiding, sneaking out of places in the school, dodging his so-called fangirls. What most people would see as a dream, days filled with adoration and excitement, felt more like a curse to him—and to you, by extension.