Chapter 17 – Unspoken Feelings

(Morana's POV)

Hael was staring at me.

Not just a quick glance—a full-on, suspicious, soul-piercing stare.

I scowled, stabbing my fork into my food. "What?"

"You tell me," he said, chin resting on his hand. "You've been acting weird."

I rolled my eyes. "That's just my personality."

Hael snorted. "Nah. You're extra weird today."

I shoved another bite into my mouth, pretending not to hear him.

But he wasn't letting it go.

"Did something happen?" he pressed. "You seem… distracted."

I tensed.

Because, yeah.

Something did happen.

And that something had golden hair, a perfect reputation, and a way of getting under my skin that I hated.

But I wasn't about to tell Hael that.

So I shrugged. "Nothing happened."

Hael narrowed his eyes. "Liar."

I smirked. "How would you know?"

"Because you suck at lying."

I scoffed, leaning back in my chair. "And you're nosy."

"And you're avoiding the question," he shot back.

I grabbed my drink, taking a long sip, hoping he'd drop it.

But he didn't.

Instead, he grinned. "It's about Astria, isn't it?"

I nearly choked.

Hael Puts the Pieces Together

I coughed, setting my drink down a little too hard. "What?"

Hael shrugged. "It makes sense. You keep running into her. And now, suddenly, you're acting all weird."

I scoffed. "You're imagining things."

"Am I?" He raised a brow. "Because you just panicked when I said her name."

Damn it.

I forced a lazy smirk. "Please. I don't panic."

Hael laughed. "Right. And I'm the Pope."

I rolled my eyes, but Hael was still watching me.

Still reading me.

I hated that he knew me this well.

"So," he said, voice teasing, "did something happen with you and Little Miss Perfect?"

I scowled. "No."

"Then why are you so defensive?"

I clicked my tongue. "Maybe because you won't shut up about it."

Hael just smirked. "Alright, alright. I'll let it go… for now."

I sighed in relief.

But then he added, "But if you start staring at her across the room like a lovesick idiot,I'm calling you out."

I threw a fry at him.

He dodged, laughing.

And despite myself…

I smiled.

Meanwhile…(Astria's POV)

I needed to focus.

I needed to forget.

So, of course, the first thing I saw when I entered class—

Was Morana.

Laughing.

With someone else.

My stomach twisted before I could stop it.

Because she looked different.

Relaxed. Happy.

And I hated that I wasn't the reason.