INT – FIRE'S BEDROOM
All the lights were off, but the moon was bright enough to paint the room silver. I tossed my clothes into the basket and slipped into my lavender silk nightdress—one of my favorite tips ever.
It always makes me feel pretty.
I jumped on the bed, bouncing once before sinking into the soft comforter. Finally, after this long, exhausting day, I could breathe. Honestly, I thought I wouldn't make it through.
That Ice! Ugh, I need more revenge. This is not nearly enough for all the wasted tears and feelings.
I pulled out my phone.
Of course, that iceberg deleted every trace of Ace. Good thing I memorized Ace's number.
I read the half-written message out loud:
"I'm really sorry about that, plus I won't be able to call you because..."
I need to delete the traces after! If Ice saw that, I'd be six feet under. Just the thought of his scary aura gave me chills.
Oh, wait—Ice said he saved his contact.
Swipe. Click. And there it was, sitting at the top of the list.
My heart skipped a beat, probably tired.
I started typing a message for him. First message should be a warning, right? Right! Because he tried to avoid me again after that incident!
Hello, Icyyyyy ❄️!
First of all—DON'T you ever pull that "silent treatment" thing again. 😠 I mean, you already don't talk much, but you get what I mean.
Second—you can't just erase me from your life. Nope. Not happening. 🚫✋
So just face it! I'm here, and if you ever try to avoid me again, I'll stick even closer. Closer. Like… glue. Or gum on your shoe. 👣🫧
Go on, try me. 😏
Okay, all set—send.
Then, at the top of the screen, his name appeared.
Keice.
Bump.
What was that?
I looked around. I swear I heard something in my ears!
Okay, breathe in, breathe out. No ghosts this early, right? It's too early! I pulled my right hand close and forced myself to focus again on my phone—on Ice's contact.
I should put a picture.
Scrolling through my gallery, I found nothing but rows of Ice's annoyed face. I couldn't stop giggling. He wasn't here, so—victory was mine.
And then—oh! That one. The rare photo where he looked... normal.
Click. Set.
His face filled my screen. I zoomed in unconsciously, lingering on his features.
His storm-gray eyes—breathe in.
That poker face, softened by the dim light, hit me harder than any glare ever could.
The picture felt almost alive in my hands.
Bump.
There it was again. Louder this time, with a rush of heat filling my chest. It wouldn't stop!
Panic flared. I locked my phone, threw it onto the side table, and shut my eyes tight.
Nope. Not happening.
But my brain didn't listen.
Memories started playing on repeat, sharper than ever.
First—the kabedon. His body leaning over mine, his storm-gray eyes boring straight into me. Close enough that I forgot how to breathe. His anger was terrifying back then, but now... why do I feel like some anime heroine being cornered by the male lead? His arms caging me in—it felt like something I almost wanted to lean into.
"Stop!" I smacked my pillow.
Then—the brush of his cold fingers against my cheek. The way his brow furrowed, the quiet concern in his voice when he asked if I was okay. Replaying, again and again, his eyes softer, more worried—like they'd never looked any other way.
I swallowed hard, throat tight. My heartbeat was deafening now, echoing in my skull.
Then, like a dream, the faint smell of strawberry cream clung to him, mocking me. That night when he comforted me... his warmth had been steady, grounding. But now, remembering it—it burned. How did I even handle it back then?!
And then—oh no, no, no—an image of us kissing.
"Wha—whoa! That—" I jabbed a finger at nothing in particular. "That did not happen!" I burst out, flinging my arms around like some overworked courtroom lawyer making her final stand.
I slapped my hands over my cheeks, pressing hard like I could crush the thoughts. But it was useless. My imagination had already betrayed me.
Because the next thing I heard was Ace's voice in my head:
"Because you like him so much."
My whole face went up in flames. All of it nagging me like unwanted thoughts in the middle of the night.
"No I don't!" I shouted into the dark room. "I don't! I don't! I don't!"
I wanted to cry in denial. No im not indenial, its just tired!
But the more I denied it, the clearer the memories became—his hand catching mine, the weight of his stare, the way my chest always tightened around him.
I grabbed one of the stuffed toys Ace had given me and buried my face into it, muffling a groan.
"Ace, I hate youuuu! How did you even know?!"
This isn't right. This is not happening. I'm just tired!
And yet—another image clicked into place. The kiss again. Only this time closer, slower, so real I swore I felt the ghost of his lips against mine.
My whole body jolted.
"Nooooo!" I wailed into the stuffed toy, kicking my legs against the bed like a child throwing a tantrum.
I froze, clutching the toy tighter.
...Wait. Why does my chest feel so tight? Why does his face keep replaying in my head?
I shook my head furiously under the covers, burying myself deeper. "I do not like him. No way!"
...But the heat on my face wouldn't fade. And the memory of his eyes wouldn't go away.
I peeked at the phone sitting on my side table. My fingers twitched.
Maybe if I called him... just to yell at him..
Next Chapter:
"Stay there." His voice was deeper, roughened by sleep—unfairly illegal at this hour.
What do you mean good night?
I pressed the pillow over my face, but it didn't help. That voice had already carved itself into my memory, replaying on loop like some cursed broken CD I never asked for.