THIRD PERSON'S POV
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Another lazy weekend at home.
Everyone was sprawled across the couches—some on the floor, some half-asleep. Even Zoe, for the first time this academic year, had joined them.
Ding dong.
A chorus of groans filled the room.
No one moved.
"Let our dear baby get it," Albert muttered.
"How can you send a kid to the door, idiot?"
Fiona threw a pillow at him before getting up.
She opened the door.
"Oh—hey, Sarah. Didn't expect you. Come in."
At the mention of her name, George immediately straightened, eyes locked on the entrance.
Sarah stepped in with a small smile.
"Hey, everyone."
"Hey."
"Sup."
Zoe and Ivy both greeted her lazily, exchanged a brief glance, then went back to their own worlds like nothing happened.
Sarah sat beside George, looking around.
"What's up with you guys?"
"Boredom," Nathan muttered. "Extreme boredom."
He pulled out a book.
Sarah laughed. "For one of the strongest groups in school, you don't act like it."
Albert waved a hand. "Even that bald, muscular movie guy gets lazy."
"Who?"
"You know… huge, bald, tattoos…"
"Who?"
"Dwayne the Rock Johnson," Ivy said flatly, slipping on her headset.
Donald immediately took her headset and handed her his instead, wearing hers.
She glared.
He ignored it.
She sighed and wore his.
Sarah leaned toward George, lowering her voice.
"So… how long has that been going on?"
George didn't even look. "A while. Ignore it. What about you?"
"Oh, nothing much. School, training…" she paused, smiling, "I have a date soon."
George's smile dropped.
Everyone noticed.
"A date?" he asked.
"Yeah. I just came to check on you guys before heading out."
"With who?" Fiona asked.
"Uh… Daniel."
"Daniel?!"
Even Ivy and Donald removed their headsets, attention piqued.
"Please tell me it's another Daniel," Fiona said.
"…No?"
"It's just a date," Sarah added quickly. "Nothing serious."
"He's using you," Ivy said flatly, already putting her headset back on. "Cancel it."
"I agree," George added quietly.
"I already accepted. It's just today. Trust me."
No one looked convinced—but no one pushed.
Sarah stood shortly after.
"I should go. Maybe we can all hang out later?"
"Yeah," George said.
She left.
The moment the door shut—
The temperature in the room dropped… then spiked.
Fast.
Lily fanned herself, laughing nervously. "Uhm...boss? My sweet handsome boss... You know there's no need to melt us because of one girl."
Ivy didn't even look up. "Yeah, go ahead. Burn the house down while she might end up in his bed."
"Ivy!" Fiona reprimanded.
"What?" Ivy shrugged. "Am I lying? You know it's stu—"
Donald shoved a donut into her mouth.
She spat it out immediately and glared.
"Suck it up, crybaby," she continued, staring at George. "Fight for her or move on. Stop punishing us... Or them. Stop punishing them."
Fiona wiped her forehead. "Why aren't you sweating?"
Ivy shrugged—and casually waved her hand.
The temperature normalized instantly.
Everyone stared.
She ignored them.
"What?" she asked.
Donald leaned closer, smirking.
"Is it a bad time to say I love you?"
"Yes."
"Well, too late."
"Whatever, ladyman."
"The only lady's man I want to be is you."
She shoved a donut into his mouth.
He grinned, chewing, leaning closer anyway.
George stood abruptly and left.
One by one, the others followed.
Soon, it was just the two of them.
"You listen to K-pop?" Donald asked.
"Yeah."
He scrolled. "Favorite?"
She glanced over.
"Heartbeat. BTS."
He nodded and softly hummed to the rhythm of the song.
"Stop singing," Ivy said flatly. "This isn't a romcom."
"It could be," he said, watching her, "if you said yes."
"What has gotten into you?"
"Can't I fall in love?"
"It's too sudden."
"Does love need permission?"
"…No."
"Then say yes."
"No."
"Why?"
"I don't do love."
"Why?"
Her expression hardened.
"It's for the weak. And I refuse to be weak again."
A pause then she continued.
"You might be perfect to other girls. I don't care. So stop—"
Donald moved.
Not planned. Not smooth.
Instinct.
He kissed her.
For a second—
Nothing.
Ivy froze.
Then—
Crash.
They broke apart.
Lily stood on the stairs, staring at them, glass shattered at her feet.
Ivy cleared her throat and stepped back.
Then walked away.
Donald ran a hand through his hair.
"Oh my goodness, Lily—why? I was this close."
Lily blinked—then slowly grinned.
"Wait… you're serious about her?"
"…What?"
"This is sooooo good. I'm telling Fiona—"
"No, you're not," he cut in instantly. "Say a word and I freeze you."
"Ouch. Fine." She leaned closer. "What's your next move?"
"If you didn't interrupt—"
"Yeah?"
"That's not your age group. Go watch cartoons."
She rolled her eyes and skipped off.
Donald dropped onto the couch with a sigh.
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Next Week — Lunch
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They sat in their usual empty classroom.
Ivy had her jacket off, sleeves rolled up, carefully picking out onions and pickles from her food.
Donald watched her for a moment—then silently swapped her plate with strawberries.
She accepted it without question.
Zoe glanced between them… then at George, who still hadn't recovered from the previous week.
The door opened.
Sarah walked in.
Hand in hand with Daniel.
Another boy followed, along with delivery men carrying food.
"Hi, everyone."
Most responded.
George didn't.
Neither did Ivy, Albert, or Donald.
Sarah didn't seem to notice.
She sat down, pulling Daniel beside her.
"You two official now?" Fiona asked.
"Still testing," Sarah said.
Daniel smiled. "No need to be modest. We clearly like each other."
Ivy chuckled softly, still focused on her strawberries.
Sarah noticed.
"Ivy, is that all you're eating?"
"She always eats like that," Daniel said casually. "Old habits."
The room stilled.
"You two know each other?" Nathan stared between Ivy and Daniel
"I see she hasn't told you."
Lily leaned forward. "Told us what?"
Albert's glare sharpened—but Daniel ignored it.
"We used to date.
Clang.
Lily dropped her fork.
Everyone turned to Ivy.
Calm. Unbothered. Eating.
"Really?" Sarah asked. "Why'd you break up?"
Daniel smiled.
"I don't do cheap."
Silence.
Then—
Ivy spoke.
"Even a slut wouldn't touch you for free."
Daniel's smile flickered—but returned.
"Guess that's why you went for half the football team."
"It's like you forgot what prison looks like."
"Threatening me?"
"You know I don't do threats. Just facts."
He leaned back.
"The only good thing about you is your body and money. You've always been weak. Pathetic. Cheap."
Ivy paused mid-bite.
"Say that again."
"Oh? Did I hit a nerve?"
The tension was suffocating.
Then he spoke again, quieter but lased with disgust.
"You still on drugs?"
"Drugs?!" several voices echoed
Eyes snapped between them.