Rafa's POV:
It started… normal.
Which, at this point, should've been my first warning.
"Guys, this is Livia," Angela said, smiling as she stepped aside.
I looked up.
The girl standing next to her was… pretty.
Like, effortlessly pretty.
Long hair, perfect posture, the kind of confidence that didn't even try too hard.
"Hi," she said softly. "I've seen you guys around a lot."
CJ nodded. "We're kind of hard to miss."
"That, and Rafa is literally everywhere now," Sam added.
"Right," Livia smiled, glancing at me. "10 million, right? That's insane."
"Uh—yeah," I said, a little awkwardly. "Thanks."
"She's cool," Angela added quickly. "We had class together. I thought she could hang with us."
I hesitated for half a second.
Then shrugged.
"Yeah, sure."
Everyone else nodded.
Easy.
Simple.
No problem.
At first?
It was fine.
Livia was nice.
She laughed at CJ's jokes, talked easily with Angela, and even got Keagan to actually say more than two words.
Normal.
Until—
"Felix, right?"
I looked up.
Livia had turned toward him, smiling.
Felix glanced at her. "Yeah."
"I've seen you around too," she said. "You're always with Rafa."
Something about the way she said my name made my chest feel… weird.
Felix just shrugged slightly. "Yeah."
"You guys are close?"
"Something like that."
I rolled my eyes. "Wow. Very descriptive."
He smirked.
Of course he did.
"Can you help me with something later?" Livia asked, tilting her head slightly toward him. "I didn't understand the math assignment."
Felix paused.
For a second—
Just a second—
I thought he might say no.
But then—
"Sure."
Something in my chest dropped.
Why did that bother me?
It shouldn't.
It literally shouldn't.
"Great," she smiled. "Thanks."
And just like that—
She was standing a little closer to him.
I looked away.
The rest of the day?
Small things.
Annoying things.
Things I shouldn't notice—
But did.
Livia laughing a little too much at what Felix said. Standing next to him instead of… literally anywhere else. Asking him questions she could've asked anyone.
And Felix?
He didn't seem bothered.
But he also didn't… stop it.
By lunch, I was already over it.
"Rafa, you okay?" Sam asked, sliding into the seat across from me.
"Yeah," I said quickly. "Why wouldn't I be?"
He gave me a look.
"You've been stabbing your food for the past two minutes."
I looked down.
Oh.
"…I'm just hungry."
"Uh-huh."
"Felix," Livia called from across the table. "Come sit here."
I froze.
There was a seat next to her.
He looked at it.
Then at her.
Then—
At me.
Why is he looking at me?
Just sit wherever you want.
I don't care.
He walked over.
My grip tightened slightly—
And then he sat down.
Next to me.
I blinked.
Livia blinked too.
"There were other seats," she said lightly.
"Yeah," Felix replied. "This one's fine."
My heart did that stupid thing again.
I looked down, trying to hide the small smile threatening to show.
"Anyway," Livia continued, clearly unfazed, "about later—"
"I might be busy," Felix cut in.
She paused. "Oh. I thought you said—"
"I did," he said. "But I forgot I had something."
"You didn't just forget," I said before I could stop myself.
He glanced at me.
"I did."
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
He held my gaze for a second—
Then smirked.
Oh my—
"Right…" Livia said slowly.
The rest of lunch felt tense.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just—
Tight.
After school, I was grabbing my stuff from my locker when—
"Hey."
I turned.
Livia.
Of course.
"Can I ask you something?" she said.
"Sure."
She crossed her arms lightly, studying me.
"You and Felix."
My stomach tightened.
"What about us?"
"Are you… a thing?"
I blinked.
"…no."
"Not even a little?"
I hesitated.
Why was that question so hard to answer?
"…we're friends."
She nodded slowly.
"Good to know."
Something about that didn't sit right.
"Why?" I asked.
She smiled.
"Oh, no reason."
Later—
Way later—
I was walking out when I saw them.
Livia and Felix.
Standing near the gate.
Talking.
I stopped.
Just for a second.
Watching.
She was smiling again.
Leaning in slightly.
Saying something I couldn't hear.
And Felix?
"…seriously?" his voice carried faintly.
He stepped back slightly.
Not closer.
Back.
"I'm not interested," he said, clearly.
My breath caught.
She blinked. "Oh."
"I thought I made that obvious."
Ouch.
"Is it because of her?" she asked quietly.
I froze.
Felix didn't hesitate.
"Yeah."
My heart actually stopped.
"Right," Livia said, forcing a small smile. "Got it."
She walked past me without noticing I was there.
I didn't move.
Couldn't move.
"…you going to stand there forever?"
I looked up.
Felix.
Watching me.
"You knew I was here?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Since when?"
"Long enough."
I stared at him.
"…you could've said something."
"And ruin the moment?" he said lightly.
"Felix—"
"You heard it anyway."
I opened my mouth—
Then closed it.
Because what was I even supposed to say?
He stepped a little closer.
Not as close as before.
But enough.
"You still think I'm interested in someone else?" he asked quietly.
I looked away.
"…I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Silence.
My heart was racing again.
Way too fast.
"…you're annoying," I muttered.
He let out a quiet laugh.
"Yeah."
I glanced at him.
"And you smirk too much."
"Noted."
"You're not going to stop, are you?"
"No."
I shook my head, trying to hide my smile.
Maybe I didn't hate this.
Not as much as I thought.
But one thing was clear—
Livia wasn't the real problem.
Because whatever this was between me and Felix?
It wasn't going away.
The next day?
I decided something.
I wasn't going to feel weird anymore.
I wasn't going to overthink every little thing Livia did.
And I definitely wasn't going to let her—
or anyone—
make me feel like I didn't belong in my own space.
"Okay," Angela said, looking between me and my outfit. "You look insane today."
"In a good way?" I asked.
"In a 'people are going to lose their minds' way."
"Perfect."
When I walked into ISA, it hit immediately.
"Is that Rafa?"
"She looks so good—"
"Wait, her last video?? I'm obsessed—"
Compliments.
Everywhere.
I smiled slightly, keeping it calm—but inside?
Yeah… it felt good.
By the time I reached my locker, my phone was already buzzing again.
New comments.
New followers.
New everything.
"Morning."
I didn't even turn this time.
"Hi, Felix."
"Confident today."
I glanced at him. "When am I not?"
He smirked.
There it was again.
"Hey guys!" Livia's voice cut in.
I turned.
She looked the same as always.
Perfect.
Put together.
But her eyes flickered—just slightly—when she saw me.
"Hi," I said casually.
"Hi," she replied, a little tighter.
We all started walking together.
Same group.
Same hallway.
But the energy?
Not the same.
"Felix," Livia said, sliding in next to him again. "About yesterday—"
"I meant what I said."
Direct.
No hesitation.
I almost choked.
She blinked. "You didn't even let me finish."
"I don't need to."
Silence.
CJ leaned over to me, whispering, "Oh this is brutal."
"CJ," I muttered.
"What? I'm just observing."
Livia forced a small laugh. "You're really straightforward."
"Yeah."
"I like that."
Felix didn't respond.
We reached the lockers.
I leaned back slightly, pulling out my phone.
Honestly?
If she was going to stand there and act like nothing happened—
So was I.
I opened TikTok.
Hit record.
"Okay," I said, smiling at the camera. "quick little hallway check because people keep asking what school looks like—"
Angela immediately leaned into frame. "And because she looks too good not to post."
"Exactly," I laughed.
CJ popped in from the side. "Manager approved."
"Please go away," I said.
Felix stepped into frame last.
Of course he did.
Not fully.
Just enough.
My heart did that thing again.
"Anyway," I continued, "this is ISA—where the drama is free and the outfits are not."
Angela snorted.
I ended the video quickly.
Post.
"Wow," Sam said. "You really just filmed that right here."
"Why not?" I shrugged.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
Notifications exploded.
"No way," I muttered, refreshing.
Comments flooded in instantly.
"RAFA IS GLOWING???"
"She's literally unreal."
"THE CONFIDENCE?? I LOVE HER."
"Felix in the background again 👀👀👀"
"THEY'RE ENDGAME IDC"
CJ leaned over my shoulder. "That was fast."
"Really fast," Angela added.
I looked up.
People in the hallway were already reacting.
"Rafa, I love your videos!"
"You're actually so pretty—like what??"
"Your confidence is everything."
I blinked.
"Uh—thank you," I said, a little surprised.
More people.
More compliments.
More attention.
And Livia?
Standing right there.
Watching.
I didn't miss the way her expression changed.
Just slightly.
Again.
"Hey," Felix said suddenly.
I turned.
He was already looking at me.
"Hang out after school."
Not a question.
A statement.
My brain paused.
"…what?"
"After school," he repeated. "You're free, right?"
I glanced—without meaning to—at Livia.
She went completely still.
"…yeah," I said slowly. "I'm free."
"Good."
That smirk again.
CJ made a noise behind us. "Oh this is getting interesting."
"CJ," I warned.
"What? He said it in front of everyone—I'm just appreciating the boldness."
I looked back at Felix.
"You couldn't have asked that… privately?"
"Why would I?"
I opened my mouth—
Then closed it.
Because—
Honestly?
I didn't have an answer.
"See you later," he added casually, already turning away.
Like he didn't just—
Like that didn't just—
I stared after him.
Angela grabbed my arm. "OH MY GOD."
"Don't start."
"He literally chose you. In front of her."
"I know what happened."
"Do you though??"
I exhaled, trying to stay calm.
But my heart?
Not calm.
At all.
Across from us—
Livia stood there.
Quiet.
Watching.
And this time?
She wasn't smiling.
Not even a little.
I don't know why I agreed.
Okay—that's a lie.
I know exactly why I agreed.
"After school," Angela repeated for the tenth time, walking next to me. "He said after school. In front of everyone."
"I heard him," I muttered.
"And you said yes."
"I know."
"And now you're acting like it's not a big deal."
"It's not a big deal."
She stopped walking.
"It's a huge deal."
I rolled my eyes, but I could feel it—
That nervous energy sitting in my chest again.
"Can you not make this weird?"
"I'm not making it weird," she said. "It is weird."
It wasn't weird.
It was just…
Felix.
The final bell rang, echoing through the halls.
My heart immediately started beating faster.
Which was ridiculous.
It was just hanging out.
Not a date.
Definitely not a date.
"Go," Angela said, practically pushing me forward. "Before I start screaming."
"You're already screaming."
"Emotionally."
I walked toward the front gate.
And there he was.
Of course.
Leaning against the fence like he had all the time in the world.
Phone in hand.
That same calm, confident energy.
He looked up when he heard my footsteps.
And—
There it was.
That smirk.
"You're late," he said.
"I'm literally on time."
"Mm. Sure."
I crossed my arms. "Why do you always act like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like everything's a game."
He pushed himself off the fence, stepping closer.
"Maybe it is."
My heart did that thing again.
I hated that thing.
"Where are we even going?" I asked, trying to sound normal.
"Walking."
"That's not a place."
"It is today."
I stared at him.
"…you're so annoying."
"And you still came."
We started walking.
Side by side.
Close.
Not touching.
But close enough that I noticed.
Everything.
For a while, neither of us said anything.
It wasn't awkward.
Just—
Quiet.
"So," he said eventually. "10 million."
I shrugged. "Yeah."
"That normal for you now?"
"Totally. I hit 20 million next week."
He huffed a quiet laugh. "Of course you do."
We turned down a quieter street.
Less people.
Less noise.
Better.
Or worse.
I couldn't decide.
"About earlier," he said.
I glanced at him. "What about it?"
"Livia."
I stiffened slightly. "What about her?"
"I meant what I said."
"I know."
"I wasn't trying to make a point or anything."
I raised an eyebrow. "It kinda felt like you were."
He looked at me.
"Maybe I was."
My breath caught.
"Why?" I asked, quieter now.
He didn't answer right away.
Just kept walking.
Then—
"Because I don't like people getting the wrong idea."
"What idea?"
"That I'd choose someone else."
My steps slowed.
My brain completely blank.
"…you're unbelievable," I said softly.
"Yeah."
We stopped walking.
I didn't even realize when.
He turned toward me.
Fully now.
And suddenly—
It felt like earlier.
In the hallway.
But worse.
Or better.
Definitely more dangerous.
"Felix—" I started.
"Hmm?"
"Stop."
"Make me."
Why does he keep saying that??
He stepped closer.
And I didn't move.
Again.
"You're doing it again," I said, my voice barely steady.
"Doing what?"
"This."
He tilted his head slightly.
"And you're still not stopping me."
I swallowed.
Why was it so hard to breathe?
"People could literally walk by," I said.
"They're not."
He wasn't wrong.
The street was quiet.
Too quiet.
My heart was pounding.
Loud enough that I was sure he could hear it.
"Say it," he murmured.
"What?"
"Tell me to stop."
"…stop."
He didn't move.
Of course he didn't.
My eyes dropped—just for a second.
Then back up.
Big mistake.
He was closer.
Way closer.
If I moved even a little—
"OH MY—ARE YOU GUYS SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!"
I jumped back instantly.
"CJ?!"
Felix exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "You've got to be kidding me."
CJ stood there, hands on his head, looking absolutely betrayed.
"I LEAVE YOU ALONE FOR ONE HOUR—ONE HOUR—and THIS is what I come back to??"
"Why are you even here?!" I demanded.
"I had a feeling," he said dramatically. "A feeling something illegal was about to happen."
"Illegal??" I repeated.
"Emotionally illegal," he corrected.
Felix just stared at him.
"…you followed us?"
"Yes."
"That's weird."
"No, what's weird is the fact that you were about to kiss her AGAIN."
"We weren't—" I started.
"You were," CJ said instantly.
"We weren't."
"You paused."
"I did not—"
"You DID."
Felix let out a quiet laugh.
Actually laughed.
I turned to him. "Why are you laughing??"
"Because this keeps happening."
"This is your fault."
"My fault??"
"You keep doing the—thing."
"What thing?"
"That thing!" I gestured vaguely.
"That narrows it down."
CJ pointed between us. "This tension? Insane. Unresolved. Painful to watch."
"Then don't watch," Felix said.
"I can't NOT watch."
I covered my face for a second. "This is so embarrassing."
"You're welcome," CJ said.
Silence.
Then—
Felix stepped a little closer again.
Not as close as before.
But enough.
"Next time," he said quietly, just to me, "we're going somewhere CJ can't find us."
My heart skipped.
"…there's not going to be a next time."
He smirked.
"Sure."
I hate him.
I actually hate him.
(…I don't.)