Chapter 42

Sky Wongravee

The next day, I find myself at our usual spot on campus, the one where we always meet up between classes. The others are already there—Aou and Boom arguing over something dumb, Perth and Santa sharing a drink, Joong and Dunk laughing at their antics. Dew and Win are sitting off to the side, deep in conversation, but they both glance up when I approach.

And then there's Nani.

He's quieter than usual, hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, his gaze focused on something distant. But when I step up, he looks at me, giving a small nod.

I clear my throat. "So... I have some news."

Aou stops mid-sentence, looking over. "Oh? Spill."

Boom leans forward, curious. "Did you finally fail an exam?"

I roll my eyes. "No, dumbass."

Dew raises an eyebrow. "Then what?"

I hesitate for a second, but there's no reason to drag it out. "May and I... we're together now."

Silence.

But only for a beat.

Then Aou and Boom both react at the same time.

"Wait, what?!" Aou practically yells, his eyes going wide before breaking into a grin. "Dude, that's awesome!"

Boom claps me on the back, shaking his head in disbelief. "Wow, I didn't see that coming, but honestly? Good for you."

Joong and Dunk exchange a look before Dunk nods. "I mean, you two have been spending a lot of time together. It makes sense."

"Yeah," Joong agrees, smiling. "Congrats, man. May's great... I guess."

Santa nudges Perth, who just chuckles. "Honestly, I thought this was gonna be a confession about something bad, but this is good news. We're happy for you."

I relax a little at their reactions, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. But when I glance at Nani, he hasn't said anything yet.

His expression doesn't change much, but when our eyes meet, he forces a small smile. It doesn't quite reach his eyes, but it's there.

"That's great, Sky," he says, his voice even. "I'm happy for you."

But there's something in the way he says it, in the way he shifts just slightly, like he's making himself smaller. Like he's keeping something at bay.

And then there's Dew.

He stares at me, his expression unreadable. Win nudges him, but he doesn't say anything at first. And then—

"You're an idiot," he mutters.

I frown. "What—"

Dew exhales sharply through his nose, shaking his head. But after a moment, he forces out a clipped, "Congrats."

Win sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. "What he means is, we're surprised, but we're happy for you."

Dew doesn't correct him, but he doesn't deny it either.

The conversation shifts again, Aou and Boom teasing me about finally getting into a relationship, Joong and Dunk bringing up how long it took. Perth and Santa joke about how I should've told them earlier. The energy is warm, supportive—even if there's an undercurrent of something else beneath it.

But my mind keeps flickering back to Nani's almost-smile and Dew's sharp words.

Since last night, the excitement I felt dulls just a little.

-----------------

Nani Hirunkit

I don't know why I stayed behind.

The others had gone their separate ways after Sky told us the news. There was laughter, teasing, congratulations. Everyone took it in stride, adjusting to this new reality as if it was just another ordinary update in our lives. But for me, the moment stuck—lingered in my chest, heavy in a way I didn't quite know how to shake off.

So instead of heading straight back to Dew and Win's place, I kept walking. No real destination, just one foot in front of the other, letting my body move while my mind remained tangled in thoughts I didn't want to face. The night air was cool, the streets quieter than usual, yet it did nothing to settle the restless feeling inside me.

At some point, I ended up on campus, standing at the edge of the small garden that barely anyone visits. It's tucked away, hidden between two old buildings where the grass grows a little wilder and the trees stretch their branches freely. It's a place I used to come to when I needed a moment to breathe. Right now, it feels like the only place I can go where I don't have to pretend.

I lower myself onto the wooden bench, elbows resting on my knees as I exhale slowly. My chest feels tight, like I've been holding my breath for too long. Maybe I have.

Sky and May are together now.

I press the heel of my palm against my forehead. It shouldn't hurt. I knew this was coming—I saw the way he looked at her, the way his eyes softened when she spoke, the way his laughter came easier around her. She brought back something in him that had been missing, something that, for a while, I thought I had ruined.

I knew this was inevitable. And yet—

My fingers curl into my palms, nails pressing into my skin.

It still stings.

Not in a dramatic, heart-wrenching way. It's not like I expected anything different, not like I let myself hope for something that was never meant to be. But there's this dull ache, this quiet realization that whatever small, foolish part of me had been holding on is finally forced to let go.

Sky is happy.

And I am not the reason why.

A small, empty laugh escapes me. I always told myself that was all I wanted—for him to be happy, to see him smiling again, to know he wasn't carrying the weight of everything between us anymore. And maybe, most of that is true.

But deep down, in the quietest part of myself, I wished it could have been different.

I wished that, just once, he would have looked at me the way he looks at her.

The wind shifts, rustling the leaves around me, and I let my eyes fall shut.

It's over now.

The unspoken feelings. The confusion. The lingering tension that neither of us dared to fully acknowledge. It's over. And for the first time in a long time, there is nothing left to hold onto.

I unclench my fists, pressing my hands against my knees as I let out a slow breath. I should be relieved. Maybe now, things can go back to being easier. Maybe I can stop second-guessing every glance, every touch, every moment spent too close. Maybe I can finally move forward.

So why does it feel like I just lost something I never even had?

I swallow hard and push the thought away. It doesn't matter. What's done is done.

I have my own future to think about. My own life to figure out.

Sky is moving forward.

And I have to do the same.