The class started at 8 a.m. sharp—of course it had to be the terror herself, Miss Murasaki.
I was starting to love her, you know? Like, she's strict but elegant.
Until now.
"Change of lab partners?!"
My voice shot out before my brain could stop it.
Everyone turned. Even Miss Murasaki's cold eyes peeked up from her laptop.
I froze.
Then like an embarrassed duck, I covered my mouth and bowed. "S-sorry, Miss!"
The whole class stared while Miss Terror continued tapping on her laptop.
"Also, since you're all third years now, let's mix it up with new seating arrangements," she said flatly.
"No way…" I whispered, but apparently loud enough for half the class to hear.
Why am I like this?! Floor, please eat me!
"Is there a problem, Miss Ashfault?" she asked, looking up.
Her sharp tone cut like a knife.
"No, ma'am! All good!" I blurted with a smile that hurt my face.
Not lab partners, not seatmates… then what are we now?!
I gripped my phone under the desk, glaring at Ice's last text like it was his fault.
The class buzzed with chatter as names got shuffled, but I didn't hear a thing.
My brain was just looping one question:
Why aren't you here to object?!
Miss Murasaki might actually listen to you, you know.
But… would you even object?
He'd probably be relieved.
Maybe even thank every saint in heaven for this blessing.
I pouted. It shouldn't hurt this much, but it did.
"Okay, class dismissed."
Huh? Already?!
My daymare—because this is definitely not a dream—had swallowed half the morning.
My perfectly good day… ruined.
"Hey, Fyre! We're partners!" Dhylan said, beaming as he appeared behind me.
Then Oriel yanked his ear. "Unfair!"
"Ow! That hurts, my Ori!" Dhylan whined.
Rika snickered. "Ooh, someone's jealous~"
Oriel turned tomato red. "I'm not! I just wanted to be paired with Fyre!"
She puffed her cheeks while Dhylan tried to hug her, and she dodged like a ninja.
"Fyre, you believe me, right?!" she pleaded at me.
She looked so cute I couldn't tease her more, so I just nodded like a good friend.
I sighed, smiling softly.
Maybe I'm overthinking.
Maybe Ice won't erase me from his life.
Maybe I'm not just an annoying seatmate.
Not just a useless lab partner… right?
Right?!
After that, the boys got called to help move gym equipment.
Which I bet Ice, probably didn't participate.
He hates physical stuff. Total anti-sports spirit.
Wait—why am I thinking about Ice again?!
I grabbed Oriel's hand and dragged her to the farthest garden corner.
"Emergency girls' talk," I declared.
She blinked. "Uh oh, this sounds serious."
It was.
Because my heart has been parkouring around my chest every time that Iceberg appears!
This is not normal.
I need help.
Big help.
EXT. EAST SIDE GARDEN
We ran across the east campus until we reached a quiet little garden — just a bench and a flower bed behind the freshmen classrooms.
My first time here. My last nerve, too.
The sun was warm, but the air still carried that early-spring chill.
Still, my chest felt like hot chocolate with too many marshmallows — warm, soft, and kind of impossible to explain.
I stared at the grass brushing against my boots, rehearsing in my head how to say "I think I'm catching feelings for the human glacier" without sounding insane.
Meanwhile, Oriel plopped onto the bench like an excited kid on a field trip, eyes sparkling.
Why was she looking at me like that?!
"So…" she started, drawing out the word like a cat about to pounce. "Who's the lucky guy?"
That teasing grin. Lopsided. Dangerous.
"Wha—what?!" I nearly tripped backward, landing halfway on the bench.
Smooth, Fire. Real subtle.
"I mean, come on—it's written all over your face." She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, hands cradling her chin. The definition of mock innocence.
"No, it's not! I—uh—" Oh great, now I can feel my cheeks turning red.
Oriel's eyes lit up like she'd found buried treasure. "Oh! Oh! Did you get back with Ace?! Did you?!" She jumped to her feet, way too excited.
"No! No, that's not it!" I waved my hands frantically.
Her excitement died instantly. "Eh." She flopped back onto the bench, looking betrayed by the universe.
I sighed, fidgeting with my fingers. I swear my brain was buffering trying to find the right words.
"Okay, tell me now," she said, patting the empty space beside her.
I hesitated, biting my lower lip. "You won't get mad, right?"
Her brows furrowed slightly. "Why would I get mad?"
Next Chapter: Oriel thought she'd seen every side of Fire—bubbly, dramatic, unstoppable.
But this? This was new. A red-faced, whispering, Ice-smitten Fire was not on her bingo card for today.
Between muffled squeals, emotional flailing, and Fire declaring war on her own feelings, Oriel could only do one thing—try not to laugh (and fail miserably).