Another plot twist: I'm officially screwed. — Ice
INT. FIRE'S APARTMENT BUILDING – 7:00 PM
Another knock echoed through the apartment.
Third time.
I was still crying in my room, ignoring it at first. I just wanted to melt into my bed and cry until the earth swallowed me whole.
But the knocking wouldn't stop. I called out to ask who it was—no reply. Maybe I was too far to hear. So, I dragged myself out of the room, where everything felt like it was melting—my body, my soul, the remaining fragments of my GPA.
Sigh.
I've been sighing so much, I sound like Ice now.
The lights were off. I didn't bother turning them on. Too dark, too quiet, just how heartbreak prefers it.
I was still wearing the same loose floral dress from last night—bright colors that I hoped would somehow cheer me up. It didn't.
Sigh.
I bumped into the kitchen counter. Whatever.
Then I tripped over a shoe I'd left in the hallway. Too sad to put it away.
Almost fell. Didn't care.
If I trip—it's okay.
It's okay.
…I'm not.
Ouch.
Another bump. Probably one of my display shelves.
Then the knocking came back. Persistent little thing.
"Who is it?" My voice was weak and slow. I wasn't even sure it sounded human.
Knock.
"Who—" I walked closer. "Is it?" I peeked through the peephole.
Pitch black. Broken? Or just… something else?
Sigh.
I sank to the floor, back against the door. Too tired, too sad to walk back to my room. Too everything.
Ice is probably mad. I'm so irresposible.
I must look pathetic—crying, trying to stay silent so no one hears, but the truth is, there's no one. I'm just alone.
All our hard work… the late nights, the sacrificed weekends… Wasted.
Knock.
Still no voice. Just knocking.
Oriel had been calling nonstop, but I couldn't answer. If she heard me like this, she'd panic.
And it was my fault, anyway.
"You perfected it!" Rika's voice echoed in my mind, squealing at Ice.
Of course he did.
How do I face him now?
Because of my idiocy. He always points it out.
He always points out my mistakes. I told myself I'd take this seriously. What was I thinking?
I crawled to the corner and curled up,It felt more comforting than anywhere else. Hugged my knees, hiding my face in my arms. My oversized dress draped over me like a blanket of shame.
Embarrassment, failure—curled up just like me.
Ice was right. Maybe I was too naive, thinking this whole dream was just cupcakes and glitter.
Maybe I took it all too lightly.
But I tried. I swear I did.
Knock.
"What?" I snapped, voice cracking. It was obvious I'd been crying.
Whoever it was—were they messing with me?
I asked so many times. No answer.
I'm clearly busy mourning the death of my future. Failing the exam didn't just hurt—it crushed me.
Can't I just have this pathetic moment in peace?
"I—"
That was all I heard. Just one word. But it was enough.
I clicked the lock open and crawled back to the corner.
The only person I wanted—and didn't want—to see right now.
I felt the door nudge my side as it opened. He probably didn't know I was behind the door, curled in a ball like a rejected cinnamon roll.
Click. The door shut.
Then silence. I didn't need to look up to know he was standing there.
Standing right in front of me. He must've seen me, folded into a ball in the shadows.
Perfectly pressed uniform, perfectly sculpted face, and that always-annoyingly unreadable expression half-hidden by dim light and a disoriented expression.
"You look miserable," Ice said.
Wow. Thanks, Ice. Really comforting.
"I know," I said, blinking through tears meeting his eyes from the floor. He was looking down at me—literally this time.
I cried all night. All day. and that was his greeting?
I wanted to punch him—or at least tackle him violently—but I was too sad to move. So I just stared.
"You're not supposed to be here," I whispered, burying my face back in my arms.
"I know."
That... sounded disappointed?
Was it directed at me? Of course it was. I'm a disappointment. But I expected anger from him—not... whatever that was.
That stung worse than anger.
"Listen—" he started, then stopped himself.
I peeked up. Curious.
He looked... unsure. Confused. Or maybe it was just the dim lighting messing with my brain.
"I—" Another failed start.
"I'm not sure what to tell you," he finally admitted—a full sentence at last. Was my failure really that unbelievable? Was I that hopeless?
"I've never experienced it, but—"
Wow. Thanks for reminding me you've never failed anything, Ice. Great pep talk.
I almost laughed, but his voice didn't sound smug. It was honest. Pure. Maybe too pure for this world of stupid exams and broken dreams. Or was it the lights?
"But you can't just give up everything because of it," he said.
"You can cry all you want, but you have to get up after."
"It's not the end of the world."
"You can—" he paused again, visibly panicking.
Then he cursed under his breath.
His advice was clumsy. Weird. But I got it.
He was trying.
And Ice trying is... a once-in-a-lifetime event.
And that alone felt more comforting than any perfect speech.
He was the last person I thought would come here.
And the last person I wanted to see like this.
The shame!
"Icy!" I launched myself at him.
We ended up sitting on the floor together, my arms around him in a sudden, desperate hug.
He flinched, caught off guard, but didn't push me away.
"I'm so sorry!" I sobbed.
"I didn't mean to! I remember all your lessons, I promise!"
"I-"
I was crying into his shoulder, clinging like a koala on a rainy day. As a sob all of my heart aches.
He didn't move. Just sat there.
And for Ice, that was enough.
And not being pushed away—that was a miracle.
But part of me wished I hugged him tighter.
Tight enough that he wouldn't escape.
"I remember everything!"
" I did! I just... I just fell asleep during the exam..."
The words left before I could stop them.
Regret hit instantly.
Should've kept it to myself.
Because suddenly—
I felt it—he was holding both my hands now.
Not in a romantic way.
Just… firmly.
In a restrained, you're-about-to-die way.
His voice came out low.
Dead calm.
I didn't need to look up. His voice said everything.
"What did you say?"
...I'm screwed.