After School – Outdoor Benches
Naya sat on the edge of the stone bench near the courtyard, notebook in her lap, pen in her mouth. The spring air was crisp, and students passed by in clusters, too wrapped up in their own drama to notice her quiet storm.
Lucien approached with two drinks in hand.
She looked up, skeptical. "If that's a bribe, it better have caramel."
He held out the cup. "Caramel macchiato. Two pumps. No whip."
She took it slowly, watching him like he might say something meaningful.
He didn't.
"So what," she said, "you bring peace offerings now?"
Lucien shrugged, lowering himself onto the bench beside her. "Or maybe I'm just trying not to be a total disaster."
"That ship sailed," she muttered, but she took a sip anyway.
They sat there for a while, not talking. Not quite not-talking either.
Lucien watched the students passing by. Naya watched the rim of her cup.
He didn't try to explain. And she didn't ask.
Eventually, she stood. "Thanks for the drink."
Lucien nodded, like that was all he came for.
But when she walked away, she slowed just enough to make it clear—he hadn't ruined everything.
Just most things.
Next Day – School Courtyard
The bell had just rung for lunch, and students spilled out into the open-air courtyard like bees set free. Naya walked briskly, earbuds in, pretending her playlist was more important than anything around her.
It wasn't.
"Hey, Naya!"
She heard it—too late to pretend she hadn't.
Kelvin jogged up beside her, grinning like this was casual, like this wasn't about to be a Thing.
"Hey," she said, guarded.
"You got a second?"
Naya slowed reluctantly. "Depends."
Kelvin scratched the back of his neck. "I just… I wanted to say something. Been thinking about it since the whole, uh… the Lucien thing."
Her expression barely shifted.
"I like you," Kelvin said, voice a little too loud in the weird quiet between classes. "Like, not just as a friend."
Naya blinked. "Kelvin—"
"I know it's probably not great timing, but I didn't want to miss my shot. You deserve someone who actually sees you."
She shifted her weight, looking anywhere but at him. "I didn't ask for a backup plan."
Kelvin flinched slightly. "That's not what I meant."
"I know." She forced a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I just… I've got a lot going on right now."
He opened his mouth like he wanted to push further—but caught himself. "Right. Yeah. Sorry."
Naya nodded and turned away, earbuds back in before he could say anything else.
Kelvin stood there for a second, watching her disappear into the crowd.
He'd shot his shot.
And missed.
Later – Girls' Restroom by the Cafeteria
Naya leaned against the sink, arms crossed, while Nora reapplied lip gloss in the mirror like this was just another Tuesday.
"Kelvin said he likes me," Naya said, still sounding like she couldn't believe it. "Like, not just in a 'what's up' way. Full-on crush vibes."
Nora blinked once, then looked at her through the mirror. "Okay, but… you don't even know him like that."
"I know!" Naya groaned. "That's what I'm saying. We've had, like, two conversations ever—and one of those was him asking if I had gum."
"So unless that gum was laced with love potion, this is wild."
Naya laughed, but it was short. "I didn't mean to be rude. I just… I'm still dealing with the Lucien stuff. And now this?"
Nora turned, leaning a hip against the counter. "You don't owe anyone a yes. Not Lucien, not Kelvin, not anyone. Especially if you're still figuring out your own head."
Naya nodded slowly, appreciating that.
"And besides," Nora added, tossing her lip gloss back in her bag, "if this is some post-Lucien popularity bounce, don't let it get to you. You're not a trend."
"Thanks," Naya said quietly.
Nora grinned. "Now come on. Let's go eat fries and talk about people's tragic outfits."
Naya cracked a real smile this time. "God, yes. Lead the way."
Earlier – Hallway Outside Chemistry
Lucien leaned against the doorframe, half-listening to Matteo talk about some meme he'd sent three hours ago, when something across the hallway caught his eye.
Naya.
And Kelvin.
Lucien's posture straightened just slightly.
Kelvin was talking fast, hands animated in that overly casual way that meant he was trying too hard to be smooth. Naya had that look—tight shoulders, arms crossed, the subtle lean-back she did when she didn't want to be near someone but was trying to be polite.
Lucien's jaw tightened.
Matteo noticed the shift in energy and turned his head. "Oh," he said, following Lucien's line of sight. "Well, well."
Lucien didn't answer.
"She shutting him down?" Matteo asked.
Lucien's eyes flicked back toward the pair—Naya already turning away, earbuds going in, Kelvin standing alone.
"Looks like it," Lucien muttered.
"Still," Matteo said, nudging him with a grin, "you better move before she starts taking applications."
Lucien didn't reply. He turned into the classroom without another word.
And if he set the beaker down a little too hard once class started—well, no one said anything.