unacceptable catch

Everyone was sitting in the club room, and Jace was already lying down, ready to sleep, when Zim casually placed a hand on Nova's shoulder and asked,

"What's wrong? Why do you look so pissed today?"

She replied sharply,

"Nothing. I just feel like I'm turning into Aven."

Aven tilted his head and asked with a smirk,

"What, your dad's cheating too?"

Nova rolled her eyes and shot back,

"No, idiot."

Lying down, Jace mumbled,

"So what if he is?"

Nova smiled bitterly and said,

"Now I guess they're preparing to hang me on a cross like Aven's parents did to Aven."

Aven started laughing.

Kael and Zim, completely lost, looked at each other with confused expressions,

clearly having no idea what was going on.

Jace, meanwhile, stayed comfortably stretched out, unfazed by anything around him.

Aven, trying to hold back his laughter, added,

"They'll probably get her engaged to some political puppet too, like my parents did to me."

Nova smacked the back of his head and snapped,

"You think that's something to joke about?"

Zim was visibly shocked hearing that,

and Kael… he just felt bad for Nova.

He gently told Aven,

"That's enough. Stop talking."

Aven gently tried to comfort Nova and said,

"It's okay… little by little, you'll start accepting reality—just like I did."

But Nova, brushing off her frustration, replied,

"Forget it. All of this is nonsense anyway. Kael, did you finish the social science homework?"

Kael handed her his notebook silently.

Just then, Jace suddenly sat up and said,

"Guys, why don't we all go on a trip somewhere?"

Zim instantly lit up,

"Yes! I'm in!"

Nova also nodded and said,

"Count me in."

Now all three of them turned to look at Kael.

Nova asked,

"What about you?"

Kael gave a small nod in agreement.

Jace grinned,

"Perfect. Our midterm exams will be over in a month—great timing."

But Aven crossed his arms and said with irritation,

"I can't come."

Everyone—almost in sync—asked,

"Why not?"

Aven sighed and said,

"She's coming… if she arrives, Mom won't let me go anywhere."

Jace smirked and said,

"Then bring her too—problem solved."

Aven smiled with mock drama and said,

"See? Never run away from your shadows!"

Jace ,agreed with that then everyone starts to study .

_kael__

After a while, I informed Zim and headed toward the washroom.

When I reached there, a few boys were smoking—

The whole place was filled with smoke, making it hard to breathe.

Coughing, I quickly went inside one of the stalls and shut the door behind me.

After a few moments, I came out…

And what I saw froze me—

Leo was fighting with someone.

He had grabbed a guy by the collar, his expression furious.

He punched that guy hard and, in a furious voice, said,

"It'd be better if you don't ever show me your face again—

If you value your life, stay the hell away from me."

I was curious why he was that angry , so i decide to ask him what happen . i went to him. A nervously with hesitation i asked ,

"What happened ?"

He snapped , " its not ur tea ! "

Then that words make my blood boil , he a such jerk , then i rolled my eyes and showing him middle fingure i went back

After school, like every other Saturday, we all gathered again at the same club.

But this time, I drank way more than usual, and my head started spinning.

Even Nova, who never drank, had alcohol tonight.

Jace had already fallen asleep right where he was sitting,

And Aven could barely walk straight.

Zim and Jessi had already left for home earlier.

I somehow managed to get up and head toward the washroom to wash my face,

But on the way, my foot hit something, and I tripped.

Just before I could fall, a pair of strong arms caught me.

That person said,

"Walk carefully."

I looked up, swaying, and saw it was Leo—

He was holding me tightly so I wouldn't fall.

He helped me stand, but I was still clinging to his arm for balance.

My head was spinning, and my steps were all over the place.

Leo clicked his tongue in irritation.

"Seriously? Of all people, you had to be the one to get drunk like this?"

I blinked up at him, my words slurring.

"Aren't you tired of pretending to care?"

He scoffed, tightening his grip around my waist.

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm only helping because I don't want to deal with your dead weight on the floor."

I laughed weakly.

"Still sounds like caring to me."

Leo didn't respond. He just dragged me toward the washroom, his jaw clenched the whole way.

When we reached the sink, he pushed me gently against the counter and turned on the tap.

Splash.

The cold water hit my face and jolted me half-sober.

I wiped my face, looking at him through wet lashes.

His eyes met mine—sharp, annoyed… but beneath it, something softer flickered.

Before I could speak, he looked away and muttered,

"Next time, drink like you have a brain."

Leo's POV:

I saw him swaying long before he tripped.

He always tried to act like he could handle anything—drama, fights, drinks... feelings.

But there he was, stumbling through the dim light like a moth pretending it wasn't drawn to the flame.

And before his body could hit the floor, mine moved on instinct.

I caught him.

Tch.

"Walk carefully," I muttered, trying to sound annoyed, not... concerned.

But as I looked down at him, his face flushed from the alcohol, eyes unfocused yet still holding that stubborn spark—

my grip tightened.

He looked up at me slowly, like I was the last person he expected… but maybe the first one he wanted to see.

Shit. That thought shouldn't feel like a punch to the gut.

I hated how easily he fell apart in my arms.

No, that's a lie—I hated how I didn't want to let go.

He smelled like sweat, spice, and trouble. My type. Unfortunately.

I swallowed down the warmth crawling up my neck and rolled my eyes, trying to keep the wall up.

But even as I helped steady him, one thought stayed with me:

"If you're going to keep crashing like this... stop making it so easy for me to catch you."