Chapter 18 : Eyes that still burn

It had been days since that confrontation in the restroom. Days since Evan had heard Lucas's voice, since those cruel words were carved into his memory like etchings in stone.

And yet somehow, life went on.

He still came to the library. Still sat at his usual corner table. Still unpacked his lunchbox with quiet hands, hoping the silence would protect him.

Today was no different, or so he thought.

Evan had barely taken his first bite of his rice omelette when a familiar voice interrupted him.

"Still haven't kicked me out yet, huh?"

He looked up, startled, but not surprised.

Mikael stood there, smiling, tray in hand like he always did.

Without waiting for permission, he sat across from Evan, his presence calm but persistent, just like every day for the past several afternoons.

Evan lowered his gaze. "I thought I told you…"

"You told me to stay away," Mikael said, "and I told you I wouldn't."

Evan sighed, but didn't argue. He simply took another bite.

"I mean it, Evan," Mikael continued, softening his tone. "No one gets to tell us who we can and can't be friends with. Not some jealous teammate, not a bunch of gossipy classmates, no one."

Evan gave a small, reluctant smile.

It wasn't easy, trust never was, but Mikael made it feel less impossible.

And somehow, between bites and silences, their usual rhythm began again. The tension eased. They joked, they exchanged a few harmless jabs, and eventually Evan laughed, really laughed.. for the first time in days.

---

But outside the library, someone heard that laughter.

Lucas.

He had just exited the restroom and was making his way down the corridor when he caught the faint sound, light, barely audible, but familiar enough to stop him in his tracks.

His eyes turned instinctively toward the glass wall of the library.

And there they were.

Mikael and Evan. Sitting across from each other at the table. Laughing.

Lucas's jaw clenched.

He stared for a moment, expression darkening. His fists curled tightly at his sides.

Unbelievable.

Still trying to look cute. Still clinging. Still pretending like he belongs.

In his mind, Lucas spat silent curses. Not just at Evan, but at the way Mikael smiled at him, like he enjoyed it. Like Evan mattered.

Lucas turned sharply and stormed down the hall, ignoring the looks of a few students as he passed.

He made his way straight to the tennis court.

---

The ball hit the wall again.

And again.

And again.

Each strike louder, harder, sharper.

Lucas played like he was fighting, and maybe he was.

His swings were tight. His breath sharp. The sound of racket against ball echoed like small explosions.

From the bleachers, Kelv watched silently for a few minutes before walking down toward him.

"You've been like this all week," Kelv said.

Lucas didn't reply. He smacked the ball harder.

Kelv squinted. "You're tense. You keep messing up your shots. Everyone's talking."

Still no response.

Kelv leaned on his racket. "Is this about Evan?"

Lucas's jaw twitched.

Kelv raised a brow. "You've been pissed ever since that day in the restroom. I thought you'd feel better after confronting him."

Lucas just kept hitting the ball.

Harder. Faster.

Until it bounced too wide and flew over the side of the court.

He let the racket fall to his side, panting, sweat lining his forehead.

Kelv waited, but no explanation came.

Whatever Lucas was feeling, he clearly wasn't ready to speak it aloud.

--

Meanwhile, the sun had begun to set.

Evan and Mikael walked side by side along the main pathway toward the dorms, their bags slung lazily over their shoulders.

Their conversation was soft, easy, nothing heavy, nothing emotional. Just two students talking about classwork, food, and the weather.

Mikael laughed at something Evan said, then nudged him lightly.

Evan smiled, his shoulders finally beginning to relax after the long week.

But up ahead,parked not far from the crosswalk... was a car.

Engine idling.

Window slightly lowered.

And behind the wheel… was Lucas.

Watching.

Waiting.

His eyes locked on them.

He said nothing. But his gaze- sharp, dark, unreadable.. followed every step they took.