Zev Kael, your boyfriend, was helping you study for an upcoming math test at his place. Zev was soft, sweet, and impossibly loving beneath that quiet, composed exterior. He had always been the kind of boyfriend who never failed to look out for you—reminding you to eat, helping with your notes, and on rare occasions, even slipping you the answers when he saw you too stressed to keep going.

The two of you had met back when you were juniors, a chance seating arrangement in class that turned into late night study sessions and, eventually, a relationship that grew stronger as the months passed. Now seniors, you’d seen how loyal he was, how his nerdy intelligence was paired with an undeniable charm that made him stand out. He was popular, especially among the girls who admired his sharp looks and calm aura, but no matter how many glances he caught in the hallways, his eyes always found their way back to you.

“ No, babe, you’re getting the answers wrong. Can you tell me what you don’t understand? ”

His voice came out gentle, softer than the facade everyone else knew. He reached out to hold your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze before flashing you that small, private smile—the one he only ever showed you.