Steam curled softly against the frosted bathroom mirror as I stepped into the tub, the water rising just above my waist with a soothing warmth that made my muscles sigh. The scent of rose and jasmine lingered in the air—subtle but comforting. I sank deeper, letting the water lap over my shoulders, my skin tingling from the change in temperature.
It had been a long day.
Not physically—but mentally.
I closed my eyes, head resting against the cool edge of the tub, and let myself float—half-submerged in the quiet hum of the water.
Lily.
Her name surfaced like a ripple in still water.
I wasn't sure why I felt so uneasy lately. She seemed fine. Happy, even. But that's what made it more troubling—the dreamy look in her eyes, the way she smiled at her phone, the soft hum in her voice when she mentioned him.
Solace.
I raised one leg slightly, watching droplets trace down my shin before slipping back into the water. A simple motion—but calming. Like tracing thoughts you couldn't quite hold.
I knew his story.
And I knew hers.
And that's what worried me.
They were walking toward something that felt so... fragile. A bond that could bloom beautifully—or break quietly, without either of them noticing until it was too late.
The water rippled as I shifted, hugging my knees to my chest. Warmth wrapped around me like a second skin, but the thoughts still lingered beneath.
Does Lily even know what she's walking into?
Does he?
I tilted my head back, eyes open, watching the ceiling blur through drifting steam.
"I'm not trying to get in the way," I murmured to no one.
"But I just don't want to see her get hurt."
I sighed.
Lately, Lily had been talking about Solace a lot. They chatted for hours, day after day. She lit up when she mentioned him.
And that idiot Solace—why did he have to flirt so much?
Lily is gentle. Soft-hearted. Helpful to a fault.
She's my best friend.
And I can't stand the idea of her getting hurt.
I need to talk to him.
---
After finishing my bath, I stepped out of the bathroom, grabbed my phone, and called Solace. It was 11 p.m. Was he asleep?
No. I doubted it.
That idiot stays up late every night.
The phone rang twice before he picked up.
"Claire. Your timing is really bad—I was playing a ranked match!" His annoyed voice came through the line.
"Your ranked match can go to hell! I need to talk to you about something important!"
"Important?" He paused. "Sure. Tell me."
I took a deep breath.
"What do you think about Lily?"
"Lily?" he asked, confused.
"You two have been talking day and night. And she talks about you a lot lately. Listen, Solace—let me be clear. Lily is sweet, gentle. She's my best friend. And I don't want her to get hurt."
Before I could say more, Solace cut in.
"Claire, you're overthinking it. I know what I'm doing. Lily and I are just friends. Besides, we're both realists. We won't be swayed by emotions."
He paused, then chuckled a little. "Why am I even talking about emotions? There's nothing between us."
"But—"
"Claire, relax. I know what you're worried about. I've learned from my past relationship. I won't make the same mistake twice."
"I hope you won't," I said quietly, and ended the call.
But even after hearing all that—
Even after he told me to relax...
This feeling won't go away.
This uneasiness...
It just won't leave...
...
"And that's how we solve this problem,"
the teacher concluded, walking through the steps—the right formula, the right approach. But my mind was somewhere else.
I wasn't paying attention.
Not unusual for me, especially during the last period when my energy's already drained. But today, there was more to it.
Claire's words from last night still echoed in my mind.
Lily... is she really...?
No way. I mean, sure—I flirt with her.
She calls it cringe.
I smiled at the thought.
"What's got you smiling, pal?" Ryan nudged me from the side. Like me, he wasn't paying much attention to class. We really are friends.
"Nothing. Just felt like smiling," I said.
"Oh, come on. You think I'm three? Is it a girl?" he asked, eyes practically sparkling with curiosity—even if it was imaginary.
"I don't think about girls all the time like you do."
"Come on now... tell—"
Before he could finish, the teacher called out, "Don't gossip in the class!"
---
The class finally ended. I was getting up from my seat when something hit the back of my head.
Didn't need to guess what it was—a paper ball.
And who threw it?
Only one person in this entire class would do something like that.
Heath.
I glanced back. He was sitting in the last row with that same annoying smirk.
I don't know why—but today, I felt done.
His little harassment games had been getting worse. And it was getting under my skin.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked straight toward him. Ryan followed, silent but steady.
"Heath," I said, voice calm but cold, "I hope you'll stop this childish crap from now on."
I knew he just wanted a reaction out of me. For a long time, I ignored it.
But not today.
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And you think I'll stop?"
"You'd better," I replied, turning to walk away.
And then—
"Did she let you fuck her?"
His voice rang out behind me.
"When I was her friend, she wouldn't even shake my hand. But you—you were her boyfriend. She must've let you fuck her brains out. Come on, man. Give me the juicy details too..."
My blood boiled.
He doesn't have the right.
He spoke like she was nothing more than an object. As if what we had was... just physical. As if she was some kind of joke.
Our relationship was never like that. There was no intimacy like that between us.
What we had was love.
And he had no right to insult her.
I looked at Ryan.
He gave a single nod and moved toward the classroom door—to stand guard.
He knew exactly what I was thinking.
I dropped my bag onto the chair beside me, turned, and faced Heath with a smile.
"It's hard being rejected, huh?" I said calmly.
"I actually feel bad for you. Chased her for a whole year... just to be turned down in the end."
I let out a cold laugh.
I saw the shift in his face instantly. His expression darkened.
He stood up abruptly and threw a punch at me.
I let it hit me.
That was the plan.
He swung again, but this time I caught his arm mid-air. Holding onto it, I slammed my fist straight into his abdomen.
"Ugh!"
He buckled. I didn't hold back.
His friends stood frozen behind him. None of them moved.
They knew better.
Before he could straighten up, I threw another punch—this time, to the face. His balance gave out, and as he staggered, I kicked him hard in the stomach.
"Ughhh!"
He fell to his knees, hands cradling his gut.
I crouched down in front of him, grabbed his collar, and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Don't take my silence for weakness, Heath. And don't you ever insult her again. This is your last warning."
I let go of his collar, stood up, picked up my bag, and walked out of the classroom.
Ryan walked beside me, silent.
He didn't need to say anything.
He knew what she meant to me.
He knew how it ended.
And every time Heath brought her up like that, Ryan wanted to shut his mouth—with his fists.
I always stopped him.
But today—
Heath crossed the line.
She didn't deserve that.
It wasn't her fault.
It was mine.
And even if we're not together anymore...
I won't let anyone speak of her like that.
Not while I'm still here.