Thread 10 – A Heart of Stone. [0.5. Red Thread of Fate]
On November 27, 2024 By Fang Dokja In Arc 0.5. Red Thread of Fate
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Trigger and Content Warning:
This story contains themes and moments that may be sensitive for some readers. Please be advised of the following potential triggers:
1. Foul Language: There are instances of strong language, including swearing and insults.
2. Emotional Manipulation: Characters occasionally engage in playful banter that borders on emotional manipulation, particularly in their interactions with one another.
3. Sexual Humor: There are moments of flirtatious and sexual innuendo, some of which may make readers uncomfortable.
4. Age Gap: There is an age gap between the main characters, with one character being significantly older than the other. This dynamic plays a role in the development of their relationship.
5. Toxic Relationships: Some characters display toxic or unhealthy relationship dynamics, especially regarding their interactions with others.
6. Internal Conflict: There are moments of internal conflict and emotional distress, particularly in the characters’ struggle with their feelings towards one another.
7. Stigma and Bullying: Characters express derogatory opinions about others, contributing to an atmosphere of stigma, bullying, and social exclusion.
8. Social Alienation: Characters face exclusion, loneliness, and judgment from others, which may resonate with readers who have experienced similar feelings of isolation.
9. Toxic Relationships: There are interactions that involve unhealthy dynamics, including possessiveness, jealousy, and unhealthy emotional dependencies.
10. Mental Health Struggles: Characters display signs of emotional exhaustion and mental distress, including insomnia, detachment, and feelings of being overwhelmed.
11. Physical Touch and Invasive Behavior: Some characters display a high degree of physical closeness that may feel invasive or unsettling to others, particularly in how they interact with one another.
12. Manipulative Behavior: One of the characters displays a pattern of behavior that involves emotionally manipulating the other for attention and compliance, including physical closeness and affection without regard for the other person’s comfort.
13. Coercion and Control: One character is portrayed as insisting on spending time with the other, essentially forcing their presence and interaction even when the other character doesn’t actively engage or resist.
14. Hyperactivity and ADHD-like Behavior: One character displays behaviors consistent with hyperactivity, such as incessant talking, difficulty focusing, and an inability to sit still. This portrayal may be triggering for those with ADHD or similar neurodivergent conditions.
15. Intrusive Thoughts & Obsessive Behavior: The narrative includes intrusive thoughts and obsessive behaviors, which may be triggering for readers sensitive to themes of unhealthy attachment and fixation.
Readers should proceed with caution if they are sensitive to any of the listed topics. The story is primarily focused on character dynamics and does not delve deeply into explicit content, though it includes moments of emotional intensity.
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Status: Draft #1
Last Edited: November 27, 2024
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Noah Noel was not a man who pried. He wasn’t nosy, wasn’t pushy, wasn’t the kind of friend to stick his nose into another’s business unless it became his business—which, admittedly, was rare. He liked his peace and calm, the smooth rhythm of life where the chaos of others didn’t interfere.
But this? This was interfering.
He pressed the button on the vending machine and waited for the clunk of his drink to drop. Reine stood beside him, leaning lazily against the machine with his usual cocky smirk, sipping soda like it was fine wine. If Noah hadn’t been paying attention these past few days, he might have assumed everything was normal.
Except it wasn’t.
Not even close.
“You know,” Noah started casually, retrieving his drink and cracking it open, “I’m not one to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“Is this your roundabout way of saying you’re about to stick your nose in where it doesn’t belong?” Reine drawled without missing a beat.
Noah ignored him, taking a measured sip of his soda. “But you’re acting weird.”
Reine turned to him, his smirk widening. “Weird? Me? Perish the thought.”
“Cut the crap, Reine.” Noah leaned against the vending machine, his sharp eyes fixed on his friend. “You’ve been acting off since last week. One minute you’re zoned out like you’ve just seen a ghost, the next you’re back to your usual cocky, womanizing self. But even then, it’s different. There’s an edge to it, like you’re overcompensating for something. So, what gives?”
Reine’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it grew more infuriating. He tilted his head back, taking a long sip of his drink before answering. “Mood swings, maybe? Hormones? You think I should see a doctor?”
Noah’s eyebrow twitched. “You’re not fooling me.”
“Wasn’t trying to,” Reine replied smoothly, still leaning like he owned the vending machine and half the campus.
“Is it Deon?”
The question hung in the air like a loaded gun.
Reine didn’t react immediately, but Noah knew him too well. The slight stiffening of his shoulders, the way he avoided direct eye contact for just a split second—it was all Noah needed.
“Ah, so it is.”
Reine sighed dramatically, setting his soda can on top of the machine and finally turning to face Noah fully. “Look, Noel,” he said, using that silky, persuasive tone that usually got him out of trouble. “You’re reading too much into this.”
“Am I?” Noah challenged, crossing his arms. “You’ve been spending a suspicious amount of time with her lately. And don’t give me that ‘punishment partners’ excuse. You hate her, remember? That’s what you said. That she’s a freak, creepy, unbearable. So why do I keep catching you with her?”
Reine leaned closer, lowering his voice with mock seriousness. “Maybe she cursed me. Ever think of that?”
“No.” Noah wasn’t amused. “Because that doesn’t explain why you look like you’re on cloud nine half the time, even when she’s not around. Or why you’ve been taking fewer girls to your so-called ‘extracurricular activities.’”
That finally got a reaction. Reine’s smirk twitched, and he looked away, sipping his soda like it was his lifeline.
“Ah,” Noah said, the pieces clicking together in his mind. “You like her.”
“Bold assumption,” Reine shot back, his voice cool but a little too quick. “Where’s your evidence, Mr. Detective?”
“You’re not denying it.”
“I’m not confirming it either,” Reine countered, his smirk returning with full force. “You ever think maybe I just find her… interesting? Like a weird science experiment. Something to poke and prod for entertainment.”
Noah stared at him, unimpressed. “You bought her a book about rabbits.”
Reine’s smirk faltered again, just for a second, but Noah caught it.
“Oh my God,” Noah said, his voice flat. “You’re down bad.”
“I’m not—” Reine stopped himself, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“No, you’re impossible,” Noah shot back. “You’re Reine Albertine. You don’t get flustered over girls. Hell, you barely care about the ones you mess around with. But now here you are, moping one second, grinning like an idiot the next, and buying books for the girl you hate. So again—what gives?”
Reine sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. You want the truth?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know,” Reine admitted, surprising Noah. “I don’t know what the hell’s wrong with me. She’s weird, she’s dense as a rock, and she drives me up the wall. But—” He stopped, looking away again.
“But?”
Reine grumbled something under his breath.
“What was that?”
“I said, she’s different, okay?” Reine snapped, glaring at Noah. “She’s not like the others. She doesn’t care about any of the stuff I usually deal with. And yeah, maybe I don’t hate her as much as I thought. Happy now?”
Noah stared at him, stunned. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face. “You’re screwed.”
“Yeah,” Reine muttered, downing the rest of his soda. “Don’t remind me.”
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Noah’s laugh rang out, echoing in the otherwise empty hallway, loud and unfiltered. It wasn’t his usual composed chuckle, either—this was full-blown amusement, bordering on a cackle. Reine stood stiffly beside him, his soda can crumpled in his hand, his face a mask of murderous calm.
“Oh, this is rich,” Noah said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “You? In a bookstore? With her?” He laughed again, clutching his stomach. “Man, I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”
Reine’s jaw tightened, his knuckles white as he tossed the soda can into the trash with unnecessary force. “You done yet, Noel?”
“Nope,” Noah said, grinning ear to ear. “Not even close.”
Reine rolled his eyes, leaning against the wall with a frustrated groan. “How the hell did you even find out?”
“Funny you should ask.” Noah leaned casually against the vending machine, his grin widening. “I was buying a textbook—y’know, school stuff, since some of us actually care about that—and there you were. All cozy in a quiet corner of a local bookstore. A bookstore, Reine. You, of all people. I almost thought I was hallucinating.”
Reine’s glare could have cut glass. “And you didn’t think to mention this earlier?”
“Oh, I thought about it,” Noah admitted, still grinning. “But I wanted to see how long it would take for you to crack. Turns out, not long.”
Reine looked ready to strangle him. “For your information, we were working on the project.”
“Sure you were,” Noah said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“We were!” Reine snapped, his composure slipping. “We were discussing logistics for the Winter Royal Ball. That’s it. End of story.”
“Oh, yeah, totally,” Noah said, nodding exaggeratedly. “Because sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in a quiet corner, feeding her cake, and buying her a storybook is totally standard project work.”
Reine’s face turned a dangerous shade of red. “She was tired, and I didn’t want her passing out. And the book was—” He stopped himself, taking a deep breath. “It’s none of your business.”
“Ah, so there is a story behind it.” Noah smirked, his eyes gleaming. “Come on, man, spill. Did she ask for it, or did you just read her mind?”
Reine crossed his arms, his expression dark. “If I tell you, will you shut up?”
“No promises.”
Reine groaned, running a hand through his hair. “She didn’t ask for it. I just… noticed she liked it.”
“Noticed?” Noah repeated, feigning shock. “The great Reine Albertine, actually paying attention to someone who isn’t himself? Stop the presses!”
“Do you want to die?” Reine hissed, his voice low and venomous.
Noah held up his hands in mock surrender, his grin unwavering. “Relax, man. I’m just impressed. I mean, you’re really going all out for her. Cake, books, a—what did you call it—‘hangout’?”
“It was a hangout,” Reine insisted, though his voice lacked its usual conviction.
“Uh-huh,” Noah said, his tone skeptical. “And I suppose the way you looked at her—like she hung the stars in the sky—was just your normal resting face?”
Reine bristled, his composure cracking further. “I wasn’t— That’s not—” He groaned again, rubbing his temples. “Why do I even talk to you?”
“Because I’m the only one who puts up with your nonsense,” Noah said, patting Reine’s shoulder. “And because, deep down, you know I’m right.”
Reine swatted his hand away, his glare icy. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re smitten,” Noah shot back, his grin turning smug.
Reine didn’t respond, opting instead to storm off down the hallway, muttering curses under his breath.
“Hey!” Noah called after him, his laughter following like a shadow. “Don’t forget to invite me to the wedding!”
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Reine gave Noah the middle finger, his expression icy and dismissive as he strode off, leaving his best friend cackling like a maniac behind him. “Shut the fuck up, Noel,” he muttered under his breath, fully aware that Noah was enjoying every moment of his discomfort.
Noah merely chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, as Reine stalked ahead, barely able to hide the deep embarrassment that lingered beneath his usual façade. But he wasn’t about to let Noah get the satisfaction of seeing him crack any further, so he slipped back into his persona—the suave, confident, untouchable playboy—by the time they returned to the cafeteria.
The usual group was gathered at their table, and just like every other day, the conversation flowed like water. Everyone was speaking over one another, catching up on the latest gossip, and throwing Reine flirtatious smiles. Reine, ever the expert, returned each one with his trademark charm, not a single wrinkle of his composure out of place. But deep down, his thoughts kept wandering back to that damn bookstore, to the way Deon had smiled at him, and to the way she held that book in her hands like it was the most precious thing in the world. Damn it.
He forced himself to focus as the conversation turned to Deon.
“Can you believe it?” one of the girls said, leaning over to her friend. “She’s still here. I thought after the way she treated Reine, she’d be gone by now.”
The group collectively snickered.
“Yeah, but she’s like… some kind of genius freak,” another guy added, shaking his head. “Like, how did she even get so smart? Is she, like, really a prodigy, or is there something weird going on?”
“Who knows,” said a third. “All I know is, she’s definitely not normal. She’s got that ‘I’m too smart for everyone’ vibe. Honestly, it’s creepy. She looks like she should be living in some alley somewhere, not getting special treatment from Blacklock.”
Reine’s face remained a perfect mask of smooth indifference, the slight twitch in his eye the only tell that he was fighting an internal war. He sipped his drink casually, letting the words wash over him without giving any hint that he even cared. People kept talking, throwing around words like “creepy,” “freak,” and “ugly,” but Reine didn’t flinch. He didn’t even blink.
“Yeah, that’s true,” one of the guys said, “But I heard she’s, like, Blacklock’s pet now. He won’t shut up about her in class. It’s kind of gross, actually. He’s so obsessed with her genius, he doesn’t even notice how creepy she is.”
“And she’s been doing all these projects for him,” another added, nodding. “I’m sure she’s getting something for it. Probably a scholarship or something. I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s working. She’s practically invincible now.”
“Doesn’t make her less of a freak, though,” someone else muttered, looking over at Deon’s empty seat, as though they expected her to suddenly appear like some kind of vengeful ghost.
Noah gave Reine a knowing look, his eyebrow arched just enough to make it clear that he could sense the shift, but Reine was already staring ahead, his smile unwavering.
He wasn’t about to give anyone the satisfaction of knowing anything had changed between him and Deon. He was too smooth for that.
“Yeah, well, whatever,” Reine said, as if the entire conversation didn’t bother him. “She’s not my problem. You guys keep acting like she’s this huge threat, but honestly, I couldn’t care less about her. I’ve got my own shit to deal with.” He swirled his drink casually, not missing a beat. “Let’s talk about something else, yeah? Like the Winter Royal Ball. I’m definitely getting an invite to that, no doubt about it.”
His words carried the same playful arrogance, the usual bravado that made everyone in the cafeteria adore him, but no one knew that deep down, his heart was racing. Was it the way Deon’s smile from the bookstore had crept back into his mind? Was it the fact that he found himself caring just a little bit too much about a person he had sworn to hate? Either way, he wasn’t about to let anyone—least of all Noah—know. He was Reine Albertine, after all, and there was no room in his world for cracks in the armor.
Noah, however, was not fooled. He saw it all—the tension in Reine’s shoulders, the slight drop in his usual confidence when Deon’s name came up, the way his eyes flickered for just a moment too long. But Noah wasn’t about to push it. Not yet. He was enjoying watching Reine twist himself into knots over someone he was trying so desperately to ignore.
And so, the group continued chatting. Reine’s smooth responses never wavered, even as the questions about Deon kept coming. And the more they spoke, the more Reine’s mind wandered back to her—silent, brilliant, and, for some reason, far too easy to care about.
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Reine was his usual, effortlessly suave self. Leaning back in his chair with a smirk plastered on his face, he threw casual flirtations across the table, basking in the attention from the usual crowd. His confidence was contagious, and he reveled in it. The usual chatter about classwork and school events bounced off him like water off a duck’s back. Life was easy when you were Reine Albertine, the charming, untouchable playboy with a reputation.
But then, his eyes landed on her.
Deon.
And suddenly, his smooth demeanor slipped, just for a second—only those closest to him would have noticed. His gaze turned icy, the comfortable warmth in the room freezing as his breath hitched. She wasn’t alone.
That tall, lanky guy—no, he wasn’t just tall, he was too tall, towering over everyone with that ridiculous aquamarine hair and those bright eyes—was practically wrapped around her, his hands on her shoulders as if she were some kind of pet, or worse, a stuffed toy. And Deon… Deon, the ‘ugly’ girl, the one everyone else avoided, the one Reine had made it his personal mission to hate… She looked even more miserable than usual. Her usual deadpan expression was tired, worn out, like she didn’t even have the energy to breathe anymore.
She wasn’t pushing the guy away, either. She just… let him cling to her, letting him guide her toward the food area, as though she was too exhausted to even resist.
Reine’s heart skipped, his stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot, and for a brief moment, everything around him disappeared. There was only her, and that asshole with his arm draped over her like he owned her.
Who the fuck was this guy?
The cafeteria grew quieter as others followed Reine’s line of sight. Whispers started, the familiar sounds of judgment and curiosity filling the air as everyone watched the spectacle unfold. Deon, the one person in this school they could all agree on hating, was walking into their territory with someone else. And not just anyone—this Zen Rivers guy. Reine knew the name before the whispers even started. Zen Rivers. The outcast. The one who had an almost supernatural ability to irritate everyone in sight, with his weird, hyperactive energy that seemed to spill out of him like it was impossible to control.
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People muttered, “That’s Zen, right?” and “What the hell? They look like… what? A pair of freaks?”
Reine didn’t listen to them. He couldn’t. He was too busy trying to wrestle back control of his thoughts. This shouldn’t matter. This shouldn’t bother him. He didn’t care about her. She was the last person he cared about, and yet…
And yet, that damn sinking feeling gnawed at him, a sickening twist deep in his gut. He’d watched her for days now, and had seen how she’d softened, how she’d let him in just a little—just a little—and now, she was walking around with him.
He clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing as the tall, blue-haired weirdo practically caged her in with his presence. She barely even reacted, letting him take the lead. Reine felt an unfamiliar, bitter taste on the back of his tongue, a sharpness he couldn’t shake. Was that jealousy?
“Who the fuck is that?” Reine hissed, his voice low, more to himself than to anyone else.
Noah, who had been observing this entire exchange with his usual calm detachment, couldn’t help but smirk. He leaned closer to Reine, his voice dripping with amusement as he whispered, “That’s Zen Rivers. One of the ‘special children.’ You know, the kind that everyone thinks is a little too weird, even for this place.”
Reine’s glare darkened. He was aware of Zen, of course. Zen was the type of guy who couldn’t keep his mouth shut for more than five minutes, who didn’t know when to back off or take a hint. A nuisance, really. But now he was… with Deon. And for some unfathomable reason, the fact that Zen seemed to have claimed his place beside her felt like a slap in the face.
“She doesn’t even care that he’s attached to her like that,” Reine muttered under his breath, trying to brush it off, but his fists were tightening in his lap. He hated it. He hated that Zen could just show up, all big and loud and ridiculous, and climb all over her like that, and Deon didn’t even mind. What the hell was wrong with her?
Noah raised an eyebrow, watching Reine with amusement as he expertly played the role of the calm, unbothered friend. “Jealous, much?” he teased, his voice light but his eyes sharp with curiosity.
Reine’s lips twitched into a small, tight smile, but there was no humor in it. “I don’t care,” he said flatly, his tone dismissive. “Doesn’t matter. She’s his problem now. Let him deal with her.”
But even as he spoke, his eyes followed them across the cafeteria. He didn’t realize how much tension had crept into his shoulders until he felt Noah’s knowing gaze on him.
“Sure, Reine,” Noah replied with a knowing grin. “Just don’t start marking your territory or something, okay?”
Reine’s gaze snapped back to him, and for a brief moment, his mask cracked—just a little. “Shut up,” he snapped, before turning his attention back to the couple at the food counter. His stomach churned again, but he didn’t dare to acknowledge it. Not yet.
He wouldn’t let himself care. He wouldn’t let her matter.
But for some reason, seeing Zen’s arm around her—seeing her not push him away—made Reine’s blood run cold in a way he had never expected.
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Deon woke up early, the sun barely creeping over the horizon, and for the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel like her body was being dragged by invisible chains. Her insomnia had decided to take the day off, and she wasn’t being hounded by the usual stream of ideas that the Professors demanded her to innovate. For once, it was quiet—just the soft hum of the world outside her window. She thought it was going to be a peaceful day.
It was her mistake.
A few hours later, she found herself sitting across from Principal Damien Parlor in his cold, sterile office, staring at him with a blank expression. The man didn’t seem like he cared either way, scribbling on his papers with a furrowed brow, before he finally addressed her. “Deon, I have a job for you,” he said, his voice clipped as usual. “Zen Rivers has been causing trouble in his classes. He’s got a lot of energy, a lot of potential—just no focus. I need you to tutor him. You’re the only one with the ability to handle him.”
She blinked. Zen Rivers. She had heard the name, of course. The so-called “hyperactive troublemaker” with a reputation for being all over the place. He was known for his energy, but no one could ever seem to get through to him. Why was she the one chosen to deal with him? The idea felt ridiculous.
“Why me?” she asked quietly, her voice cold and detached. “Why not someone else?”
Damien’s eyes darted to hers briefly. “You’re the most… neutral one we’ve got. And you’re the only one who doesn’t seem to mind his antics. And you’re also the one most likely to handle his eccentricities.”
Neutral? Deon couldn’t help the feeling that the man didn’t actually know her at all. Still, the pay was good—better than what she had expected, and it would go a long way in helping her and Reine get out of the mess they were in. It was a practical solution, so she took it. A simple job. Nothing more. She didn’t expect anything to change.
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The first time she met Zen, he was standing in front of her, bouncing on the balls of his feet as if he had just drunk twenty cans of soda in one sitting. His blue hair was wild, a mess of energy just like the rest of him. And his eyes? Bright aquamarine, practically glowing with excitement. He stood there for a second, staring at her before he grinned. “So… Are you my soulmate?” he asked with an intensity that almost seemed too real.
Deon blinked, tilting her head slightly as she processed the absurdity of his words. She said nothing. The question was ridiculous, nonsensical even. She wasn’t used to being asked such things, especially not by someone who seemed like a human explosion waiting to happen.
Instead of answering, she just focused on his fidgeting. He was jittery, moving from one foot to the other, as if sitting still would send him into some kind of frenzy. It was, in a way, fascinating.
She didn’t know how to respond, so she didn’t. She simply let him ramble.
And ramble he did.
Zen didn’t stop talking. Ever. From the moment they met, it was like he couldn’t turn off the faucet that was his mouth. He spun tales about everything—his “adventures,” his “encounters with mysterious beings,” the ridiculousness of life, and even more bizarre stuff that made Deon question if he’d been hit in the head a few too many times. But strangely, she didn’t mind.
To be honest, it was nice. Refreshing, almost. There was someone else, someone who wasn’t judging her, who wasn’t treating her like an alien, and who wasn’t looking at her with that… disgusted pity that she had grown so used to.
She had never thought that someone could be this talkative, though. It was almost like a comedy routine where Zen was the only one performing, but Deon didn’t mind. She just listened. For once, she didn’t have to think or speak, she just absorbed his energy—his words. She wasn’t used to being a listener, but maybe she was getting the hang of it. After all, in her world, people didn’t often talk to her, let alone listen.
“Hey,” Zen said, pausing for a second to look at her with bright, almost pleading eyes. “You’re really quiet, huh? But that’s cool. You’re listening, and that’s what matters. Not a lot of people get me, you know?”
Deon didn’t know how to respond, so she just nodded. She could tell he liked that. That was enough for him.
She hadn’t expected it to feel… comforting. But it did. The constant buzz of his hyperactivity—his energy—was like a strange, chaotic harmony that blended with the background noise of her life. It was odd, almost like being around a dog who had too much serotonin coursing through his system. But it wasn’t bad. It was just… different.
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By the end of the day, she had already formed an assessment in her head. Zen was not someone she could ever label as “normal,” nor did she want to. He was, without a doubt, an oddball. But, in a way, so was she. Maybe they weren’t so different after all.
Deon wasn’t sure how she felt about him yet. But at least he was someone who didn’t mind her silence, someone who seemed to like that she was listening, that she wasn’t pushing him away like everyone else had.
It was strange, almost like she had just adopted a stray animal who was just a little too hyper, a little too energetic. And like all animals, he needed attention, guidance, and care. But it wasn’t a burden. It was… a partnership. She didn’t think too deeply about it, of course. This was just another thing she had to handle. Another responsibility.
To Deon, Reine and Zen were the same. They were like pets. Reine, a stray cat with sharp claws and a temper. Zen, a puppy injected with enough drugs to make him bounce off the walls. She wasn’t sure why, but she had grown fond of them both. They weren’t “people” to her, not in the traditional sense. They were… companions. And if they showed her affection? Well, that was just how animals acted, wasn’t it?
She didn’t voice this thought, of course. It would probably offend someone if she did. People always seemed to misunderstand her.
So she kept her silence.
It wasn’t a love story. It wasn’t anything grand or dramatic. It was just life, as it always had been.
She had adopted two pets, and if they wanted to stick around, she’d let them. She didn’t mind.
After all, it wasn’t as if they had anywhere else to go.
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Deon didn’t expect much when she showed up for her second day of tutoring Zen Rivers, but she quickly learned that his energy hadn’t changed one bit. If anything, it had only amplified. She walked into their assigned study room, and Zen was already bouncing off the walls—literally. His blue hair was a blur of motion as he paced back and forth, talking to himself about something that barely made sense.
As she sat down at the table, setting her things down, Zen paused mid-ramble and looked at her with those wide, sparkling aquamarine eyes. “Hey, Deon, you ready for today? You know, the thing where I talk nonstop and you just listen? It’s my favorite thing. I bet I can teach you how to eat an entire pizza in under five minutes.” He grinned, his excitement palpable.
Deon didn’t respond with anything more than a small, barely noticeable nod. She wasn’t here for conversation. She was here to help him with his work, which, as strange as it was, seemed to be exactly what he wanted. She didn’t know what he saw in her, but she was starting to understand the rhythm. He talked. She listened. That was their routine. Simple.
As the tutoring session went on, Zen settled into his chair, his legs bouncing rhythmically as he cracked open a textbook. He started working through the problems, muttering random thoughts aloud as his pencil scribbled furiously across the pages. It was impressive, really. He wasn’t stupid, not by any means. Zen was sharp, even if he couldn’t keep his focus for long enough to prove it. He was one of the smartest students at Bona Fide Academy, but his ADHD—if that was even what it was—made it impossible for him to sit still. It wasn’t that he lacked intelligence. It was that his brain was always racing, jumping from one thought to another so quickly that it left little room for anything else.
But when Deon sat there, quietly listening, he seemed to focus. His hands moved steadily across the pages as he solved problems with surprising ease, occasionally pausing only to talk about whatever random thought flitted through his mind.
“Okay, okay, but did you know—get this, Deon—did you know that if you put a frog in warm water and slowly increase the temperature, it won’t jump out? It’ll just… boil to death.” Zen’s voice was full of that manic enthusiasm, his hands gesturing as he spoke. “But if you throw it in hot water all of a sudden, it’ll jump out right away! Isn’t that wild? It’s like… I dunno, you can trick frogs, but not with me. I’m smarter than a frog.” He flashed her a grin, though she didn’t give him much of a reaction.
She didn’t have to. He was used to her lack of responses. It wasn’t that Deon didn’t care. She just wasn’t built for small talk, especially when his rambling was as constant as a heartbeat.
Another few minutes passed, and Zen’s energy didn’t dwindle. He finished a set of problems, his pencil tapping against the table in a rapid rhythm, and looked up at her expectantly.
“So, like… I finished the work, right?” he asked, his voice laced with excitement. “You know what that means, right?” He leaned forward, eyes wide with anticipation, like he was about to reveal the most important piece of information in the world.
Deon blinked once. She wasn’t surprised, just tired. She’d known where this was going. “You want a reward?” she asked in a monotone, as if she were used to being asked the same thing every day.
Zen’s grin widened. “Exactly! You’re getting good at this, Deon. Alright, alright, here’s what I want. Lunch. Let’s go to the cafeteria. You and me, just chill, you know? You’re not gonna escape me today!” He grabbed her arm, practically dragging her to her feet before she could even protest.
Deon didn’t resist. She knew it wasn’t worth it. He was like a dog who wouldn’t stop barking until he got his way. So, she let him lead her to the cafeteria.
----------------------------------------
The cafeteria was the same as always. A hum of voices, trays clattering, students laughing, and gossiping. But for Zen and Deon, it was like the world outside didn’t matter. He led her to a quiet corner, a little nook near the back where they could sit and escape the prying eyes of their peers. Deon sat down on his lap without a word, and Zen immediately began chatting away, as if he were in his element.
Deon, meanwhile, just stared at the tuna sandwich in her hands, nibbling on it every now and then. She didn’t feel any need to engage with his incessant babbling. She wasn’t even listening to half of it. She had long since accepted that Zen was going to be Zen. And if she just let him talk, he’d stay calm. In his way, he was easier to handle than most people.
Zen didn’t seem to mind that Deon wasn’t speaking much. If anything, it seemed to only fuel him more. He kept talking about random stuff—how he wanted to learn to juggle, how he almost ran into a wall earlier, how he swore he saw a UFO last night. He had no real filter, and his thoughts were as scattered as a tornado, but he was happy. And that was enough for him.
And then, without any real warning, Zen threw his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
Deon didn’t flinch, didn’t even react. She just kept eating, chewing the sandwich with the same lack of enthusiasm she usually did. To her, it wasn’t anything special. He was just a puppy, drooling over her like she was his favorite chew toy. Disgusting, yes. But she had learned not to care.
Zen was showing affection, and like all animals, that was how they communicated. He wanted attention, and if he had to give her kisses and hugs to get it, then that was just his way. He wasn’t malicious. He was just… Zen.
“You like it when I’m around, huh?” Zen asked, his grin widening as he leaned in, practically pressing his cheek against hers. “I can tell. You don’t even have to say anything. You’re always so calm and quiet when I’m here.”
Deon didn’t bother answering. She didn’t need to. She was listening, after all. And in his weird, twisted way, Zen seemed to get that. The reward system was a strange thing—him working hard and getting attention for it. It wasn’t typical for someone like Deon, but she wasn’t complaining. As long as he got his work done, she was fine with it.
The lunch went on, Zen jumping from topic to topic as he shared random facts, wild theories, and half-finished thoughts. Deon continued to eat her sandwich in silence, not reacting to anything. But in her mind, it was like watching a puppy run around in circles—chaotic, noisy, but oddly endearing.
At least he wasn’t biting.
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Reine sat at the center of the cafeteria, a casual aura of confidence enveloping him as he chatted with the group of popular students. They were all gathered around, all eyes on him as usual, the smooth-talking playboy who effortlessly commanded attention. He leaned back in his chair, taking in the easy banter, the way they all hung on to his every word—he was, after all, the center of attention here.
But his gaze? It was fixed. And it wasn’t on any of the admirers laughing around him. It wasn’t even on the conversation in front of him. His eyes were locked on something—or, rather, someone.
Deon Fonias.
She had walked in quietly, as always, her usual aloof expression in place. She moved with the same detached grace she always did, like she was unaware of the world around her, a silent, unnerving presence that set her apart from the rest of the students. But it wasn’t her that grabbed his attention.
No.
It was the fucking freak clinging to her.
Zen Rivers.
The lanky, hyperactive, unnerving little shit who never seemed to stop talking. But it wasn’t just the usual irritating chatter that was making Reine’s blood boil. No. It was the way Zen was clinging to her.
Zen had pulled her onto his lap. Right there. In front of everyone.
Reine’s fingers curled around the edge of his tray. The metal clanged against his nails as he clenched it harder, the only outward sign of his frustration. His usually smooth, calm face now felt tight with something unfamiliar. Jealousy. Rage. Possessiveness? He didn’t know anymore.
“Something wrong?” Noah’s voice came low, cutting through the noise of the cafeteria. It was playful, knowing.
“Shut up,” Reine muttered, not breaking his focus. His lips barely moved, but Noah—being Noah—caught it. Of course, Noah always caught it.
But this time, Noah didn’t let it slide.
He chuckled, leaning in just slightly, as if sharing a secret. “Oh, I see it now. You’re pissed, aren’t you?” He spoke with a touch of humor, but Reine knew—Noah saw through it all.
“Shut up, Noah,” Reine repeated, but this time, his voice had a dangerous edge. He wasn’t even sure why he was annoyed. Why he felt this sudden, fierce heat spreading across his chest. Why he couldn’t tear his gaze away from Deon and Zen.
It was ridiculous. He was Reine Albertine. The one everyone fawned over, the one everyone wanted. And Deon… Deon was just… Deon. She was the quiet, despised, freaky, creepy girl. So why was it bothering him so damn much?
Noah leaned back in his chair, not taking Reine’s tone seriously at all. “Oh, I get it,” he said with an exaggerated whisper, just loud enough for Reine to hear. “Looks like someone’s getting a little too cozy with your girlfriend, huh? Finally, some competition. The little freak is moving in on your territory.” He made a show of looking over at Zen, who was still talking nonstop to Deon, totally oblivious to the tension.
Reine’s jaw tightened. His territory. He didn’t even want to think about Deon as something that belonged to him—yet, that’s exactly how he felt. She was his, wasn’t she? The only one who ever touched her was him. The only one who ever mattered to her was him.
But Zen… Zen had crossed a line, sitting on her lap like that, holding her as if she was his.
His fingers twitched involuntarily. He had to stop himself from rising to his feet, from charging over there and tearing Zen away from her, from dragging her back to her rightful place, where she belonged—with him.
Reine’s breath hitched as Zen leaned in and kissed Deon’s head, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Reine’s eyes widened, his heartbeat quickening. That feeling—sudden, sharp, intense—rushed through him, knotting his stomach.
Why does this bother me so much?
Reine’s thoughts became a chaotic mess as his vision blurred. He had to look away. He couldn’t keep staring at them. He couldn’t—he couldn’t—
His eyes snapped back to the group of students surrounding him. He barely heard their words, the laughter, the teasing. The subtle glances they sent his way. He barely cared. All he could think about was that.
Zen Rivers. That interloper.
The thought made him sick. Why do I care?
“Hey, Reine. You good?” Noah’s voice again, too casual, but laced with a hint of something else. Concern? Amusement? Reine wasn’t sure anymore.
“Yeah,” Reine gritted out, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Just fine.” He forced himself to relax, to mask whatever the hell was going on inside him. He was fine. This wasn’t anything. Just some random student getting a little too friendly with his whatever.
Noah chuckled again, tapping his fingers on the edge of the table. “Uh-huh. Sure you are. If you say so.” He lowered his voice, just for Reine’s ears. “But I can see it, man. You’re jealous. You’re feeling… threatened.”
Reine froze for a split second before forcing a chuckle. He leaned back, shoving his hands into his pockets as he masked the twitch in his jaw. “I’m not jealous,” he replied, voice steady, too steady. “It’s just… annoying.”
“Sure,” Noah said with an air of amusement. “Annoying. Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
The group of students surrounding Reine continued to chatter, oblivious to the subtle tension that had settled over him like a heavy cloud. Reine forced himself to smile, to laugh with them, to be the charming, charismatic person everyone knew him as. But underneath the calm surface, there was something else. Something darker.
Deon.
Zen.
He had to admit, even to himself, that he couldn’t shake the feeling. Zen was an outsider, just like her. And now… now she had someone else. Someone to listen to her. To touch her. To pull her close.
Deon, the girl who had always been alone, who had never let anyone in, now had someone else beside her.
That should’ve made him happy, shouldn’t it? She was finally getting a friend. Finally not alone.
But it didn’t. It made him feel… bitter. Sick.
Reine’s hands clenched under the table, his nails digging into the skin of his palms. He didn’t show it, not outwardly. But deep down, he was fuming. The thoughts that spun in his head were dark, twisted, and unwanted.
Why is this bothering me so much?
The answer was simple. He had always controlled the narrative. He had always been the one in her world.
But now?
Now there was competition.
And that thought made his blood run cold.
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Reine’s gaze remained fixed on the front of the classroom, where Deon and Zen sat. He tried to focus, tried to concentrate on the lecture, but it was impossible. His mind kept drifting, drawn to the scene unfolding before him, a scene he had no control over.
Zen Rivers. The hyperactive mess of energy that clung to Deon like a leech. Every moment, every second of it made Reine feel like his insides were being twisted into a knot, the sight of it crawling under his skin, pulling at the very fibers of his mind.
Deon—his Deon—had been dragged around by Zen all day, following him from class to class, like some sort of obedient pet. She allowed it. She let him.
And that… that was what made him sick.
Zen practically glomped her. Clung to her. Deon, the girl who had always been isolated, distant, cold—who had only ever allowed him near her—now let someone else do the same. Zen wasn’t just close to her. He was burying her in his arms, pulling her into an embrace as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
His Deon. She was supposed to be different. Detached. Untouchable. Only for him. Only for Reine.
But now? Now, Zen had somehow wedged himself in. And Reine couldn’t stand it.
His grip on the desk tightened, the wood creaking under the pressure, but he didn’t care. He barely even registered the professor droning on at the front of the room, the words lost in a haze of dark thoughts.
His eyes narrowed, watching as Zen’s arms wrapped around Deon like a goddamn snake, his lips moving incessantly as he spoke to her, oblivious to the looks of confusion and mild disgust from the other students around them. Reine’s stomach churned.
Why did it bother him so much?
Zen leaned in, his face dangerously close to Deon’s, his hands resting possessively on her shoulders, and that was it. The moment Zen kissed the top of her head—like some damn puppy—Reine’s blood turned to ice. His vision clouded over. He couldn’t see anything beyond that moment.
“Are you seeing this?” Noah’s voice sliced through the tension, a whisper that barely masked his amusement.
Reine didn’t answer. He couldn’t. He just stared at the two of them in front of him, his jaw locked tight, his teeth grinding together.
Noah’s voice came again, closer this time. “It must be bad for you to be this… angry.” He let the word hang in the air like a venomous tease.
Reine’s hands clenched harder, his nails digging into the palms of his hands until he could feel the sting of it. His breath came a little faster. Angry? No. This wasn’t just anger. This was something deeper. Something darker.
He had never been one to show emotion. Never been one to care about the petty dynamics of anyone else’s life.
But Deon… Deon was different. She had always been an enigma. Something cold, something untouchable, something that only he could reach. He had always believed that. He had always told himself that.
But now Zen had come along. And the thought of someone else getting so close to her, getting inside the walls she had kept so tightly shut for so long, made him feel something he hadn’t felt in years. Something dark. Something possessive.
And now, seeing her with Zen, letting him hold her, touch her, laugh with her—Reine couldn’t stop the boiling anger from rising in his chest.
“Is it really that bad?” Noah’s voice again, this time softer, almost gentle, as if he knew exactly how to push Reine’s buttons. “Jealous, huh?”
Jealous.
Reine’s mind screamed at him. Jealous? Was he? Was he really jealous of that freak?
But the answer was clear. He was.
He was jealous because Deon had always been his—his to protect, his to claim, his to control. And now, Zen was encroaching on that. Zen was… winning. Zen was getting everything Reine had once thought was his alone. The way Deon let him get close, the way she allowed him to touch her, to hold her—it was all wrong. It was all so fucking wrong.
He wanted to destroy it. He wanted to tear Zen away from her. He wanted to own her, keep her locked in a world where only he could reach her, only he could be the one to touch her, to hold her.
But it wasn’t that simple, was it?
Reine’s thoughts were a maelstrom of anger, jealousy, and something much darker. And the worst part? The worst part was the fact that he wasn’t even sure if he wanted to let Deon be happy. Not like that. Not with someone else. Not when he had always believed he was the only one who could offer her what she needed.
He didn’t want her to have someone else. He didn’t want her to have anyone but him.
But why?
Noah’s chuckles cut through the haze of Reine’s spiraling thoughts, and he snapped back to reality. He could feel the smirk on his face, the way Noah was watching him, amused and entertained by the whole thing.
“Ah, I see now,” Noah murmured. “The king’s getting dethroned. Looks like someone’s a little too attached to their pet.”
Reine felt his fingers twitch again, this time in a way that was unmistakable. The way Noah said it—pet.
It was too much.
Everything inside Reine screamed at him. His teeth ground together. He could feel the darkness inside him rising like a wave. And he knew—he knew—that if he didn’t get it under control soon, he was going to snap.
But for now, he stayed still. He stayed calm. He stayed in control.
For now.
Zen Rivers was a problem. And Reine Albertine never let problems go unresolved.
Not when it came to her.
Noah’s voice came again, low and teasing, like a whisper in the dark. “You gonna do something about it?”
Reine didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
He had already made up his mind.