Some mornings felt like a fresh start.
Others felt like karma's revenge for staying up all night falling in love with fictional men who would never hurt you.
For Niki, today was definitely the second kind.
She dragged herself into the classroom like a half-alive ghost, dark circles under her eyes and a soft yawn escaping her lips. Her long black hair was messily tied up, and even her usual cute smile had called in sick.
"You look like you got hit by three heartbreaks and a math test," said Sammy, eyeing her with concern.
"I watched an entire k-drama season last night," Niki groaned, dropping into her chair. "And I cried. A lot. The male lead died. Twice."
Sammy blinked. "Twice?"
"Long story."
Before Sammy could reply, their teacher entered the classroom holding a pile of papers—his "I'm about to ruin your life" stack.
"Good morning, everyone," he said. "Today we begin your group projects. You'll work in teams of four. I've already made the groups—no changes allowed."
A wave of groans swept through the room. Niki sighed, already accepting her fate.
"Group six," the teacher continued. "Luke, James, Sammy… and Niki."
Niki's head shot up.
Did he just say all three of them in the same group?
Sammy looked over with wide eyes, mouthing, "This is a fanfiction plot."
---
The four of them gathered in the back row during project time.
Sammy was already scribbling ideas. Luke was tossing a pencil in the air and catching it like it was his life's purpose.
And James…
Niki tried not to glance at him.
She focused on her notebook, pretending to write. But her eyes kept betraying her.
Every few seconds, she caught James looking.
Not at her.
But at Luke.
It wasn't just a glance. It was… something softer. Warmer.
A look you give someone when you think they won't notice.
Niki noticed.
Her chest tightened.
James smiled faintly at something Luke said—even though it wasn't even funny. And when Luke leaned back in his chair, laughing at his own dumb joke, James kept looking.
Then James's eyes flicked toward her.
Niki quickly looked down at her page, heart pounding.
He saw me watching him.
But not once today—not once—had he looked at me the way he looked at Luke.
> Was I just... someone standing in the way?
[Chapter 4 ENDS]