Chapter 11 – The fire we refused to name

(Astria's POV)

I wasn't okay.

Not after last night.

Not after this morning.

And definitely not after running straight into Morana, only for her to hold me like she—

I shut my eyes, gripping the edges of my desk. Nope. Not thinking about it.

It had been hours since that moment in the hallway, but my heart still wasn't beating right.

What was wrong with me?

I barely registered Hael talking next to me, his voice blending into background noise.

"Astria?"

I blinked, finally looking up. "What?"

He narrowed his eyes. "You good?"

I forced a smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

"Liar."

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

I should tell him. Or at least say something.

But how was I supposed to explain that Morana—the same girl I spent years rolling my eyes at—had suddenly wormed her way into my thoughts like a damn plague?

Yeah. No thanks.

So instead, I just said, "It's nothing. Let's go."

Hael didn't look convinced, but he didn't push.

Still, as we left the cafe, I had a feeling he wasn't going to drop this anytime soon.

---

The Party I Shouldn't Have Gone To

Later that night, I found myself at a packed house party.

I didn't even want to be here, but Hael had dragged me, claiming I "needed to loosen up."

Which was rich coming from him.

The music was loud, the lights dim, and I was already regretting this.

I just wanted fresh air.

So I weaved through the crowd and stepped onto the back balcony—

Only to find Morana standing there.

Of course.

She leaned against the railing, cigarette in hand, looking like the human embodiment of trouble.

She glanced over, raising a brow. "Didn't peg you as the sneaking-out-of-parties type."

I folded my arms. "Didn't peg you as the attending-parties type."

She smirked. "Touche."

Silence settled between us.

And maybe I should've just walked away.

But I didn't.

Instead, I stayed.

And for some reason… she let me.

---

A Moment We Shouldn't Have Had

The longer we stood there, the more I became hyper-aware of her.

The way her fingers played with the cigarette.

The way the city lights reflected in her eyes.

The way I could still feel her hands on me from earlier.

I exhaled, turning away. This was stupid.

"So," Morana said suddenly, "are we gonna talk about it?"

My stomach dropped. "Talk about what?"

She scoffed. "Don't play dumb, Astria. You felt it too."

I swallowed. Felt what?

The heat in my cheeks?

The way my skin burned where she touched me?

The way my breath hitched when her eyes dropped to my lips—

No. No, no, no.

I turned fully to her, crossing my arms. "Nothing happened."

Her expression flickered. "Right. Nothing."

Her tone shouldn't have stung. But it did.

I hated this.

I hated the way she stood there like she saw right through me.

Like she knew something I didn't.

So, instead of dealing with it, I did the only thing I could.

I left.

And the worst part?

She let me go.