The next day in class, the air between Alstroemeria and Luca felt different, charged with the silent promise of something unspoken. They hadn't spoken about their plans again, but the weight of their conversation lingered, unacknowledged but present in every glance, every small shift in their posture. They hadn't made any bold moves—yet—but there was an undeniable change in the way they moved through the day.
Alstroemeria sat in her usual spot at the front of the classroom, absently flipping through her notes, her thoughts drifting back to last night. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how much she'd been lying to herself. The tension between them hadn't been a mistake. There was something there, something real, and no amount of pretending could make that go away.
The door to the lecture hall opened, and Luca walked in, his usual confident stride punctuated by the brief glance he sent her way. He'd been quiet this morning, but Alstroemeria couldn't quite pinpoint why. Had he been thinking about last night too? Was he regretting their decision to keep things secret?
She tried to focus on the lecture, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him. Her heart raced just a little faster as he approached her desk, his dark eyes lingering for a second longer than usual.
As he reached the chair next to her, he didn't sit immediately. Instead, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "We good?"
Alstroemeria looked up, meeting his gaze, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fall away. She swallowed, feeling that familiar flutter in her stomach. "Yeah, we're good," she replied, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her. She wasn't sure if she was convincing herself or him, but it felt like the right thing to say. They had agreed to keep things quiet for now, to ease into it slowly, and she would stick to that.
Luca sat down next to her, the usual space between them somehow feeling a little smaller now, a little more charged. He didn't say anything more, but the way his shoulder brushed against hers as he settled in made her breath catch in her throat.
She quickly looked away, refocusing on the lecture, trying to calm the racing thoughts in her mind. But it was impossible to ignore him now. The unspoken words between them felt heavy, and she could sense that Luca was acutely aware of it too.
For the rest of the lecture, they didn't exchange many words. Luca took notes, his usual detached focus now mingled with something else—something softer, though still laced with the tension of their new situation. Every now and then, his gaze flicked to her, and Alstroemeria couldn't help but wonder if he was thinking the same thing she was.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, they stood in sync. Alstroemeria quickly packed up her things, not wanting to linger too long in the quiet but charged atmosphere between them.
She was almost out the door when Luca caught up to her, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "Later?"
She looked at him, her heart skipping. "Yeah," she said, the word feeling heavier than usual. "Later."
And with that, she walked out of the classroom, leaving a trail of thoughts and questions behind her. Was this truly the right path? Or were they simply walking into a storm they couldn't control? The uncertainty still hung in the air, but one thing was certain—she wasn't ready to walk away from this. Not yet.
At 4 in the afternoon, Alstroemeria found herself standing by the bleachers, her mind swirling with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. She hadn't expected to be doing this today. But after their conversation earlier, when Luca had questioned whether their connection was real, she found herself wanting to know more about him—beyond the guarded, elusive persona he'd carefully constructed.
It was something couples tended to do, right? Share parts of their lives on social media. But she'd never thought much about it—until now. It felt strange, almost too intimate, to want to search for his accounts. She couldn't add him on her main account; that would be too much of a giveaway, too obvious, especially with the way their families were intertwined. But she did have a couple of secondary accounts—ones her close friends knew about but weren't publicly tied to her identity.
But the problem was, she didn't even know where to start. Not a single one of Luca's social media accounts came to mind. Did he even have one? Or was he too private for that?
As if the universe had decided to answer her question, she noticed Luca on the basketball court. It was PE class—she knew he played basketball, but she'd never seen him in action before. The court was packed with students, but Luca stood out immediately, his movements fluid and controlled as he dominated the game. His teammates shouted encouragement, but it was clear that all eyes were on him, especially the girls in the stands.
Alstroemeria couldn't help but notice the way many of them were gaping at him, their eyes following his every move. A quiet twinge of jealousy pulsed through her, but she quickly pushed it aside. It wasn't his fault that others were drawn to him. He was Luca Zev Valerian, after all—handsome, confident, and incredibly talented.
She watched for a moment, waiting for the game to wind down. As much as she wanted to keep her distance, the curiosity about him—the real Luca, not just the distant heir to the Valerian family—had taken hold of her. She wasn't sure why she felt the need to know more, but it was there, pulling her in.
As the game went on, Luca glanced her way multiple times, his gaze lingering just a second longer each time. It was subtle, but she noticed. There was something in his eyes—a mixture of curiosity, maybe even amusement, but there was also something else. Happiness? Or perhaps relief.
Alstroemeria's heart skipped a beat each time their eyes met, and she quickly looked away, pretending to study the court as if she hadn't been watching him. But the truth was, she had been. And now, she was wondering why. Why did it feel different when he looked at her? Why did it make her feel like her world was just a little bit more real, a little bit more alive?
She wasn't sure how long she'd been standing there, but soon enough, the whistle blew, signaling the end of practice. The crowd began to disperse, the girls chattering excitedly as they made their way out of the gym, but Alstroemeria stayed where she was, trying to gather her thoughts. Luca was making his way toward the locker rooms, his basketball tucked under one arm.
She hesitated for a moment, then, as if on instinct, she started to follow him. Her heart beat faster as she approached him, uncertain of how to even begin. But as she got closer, Luca turned his head and caught sight of her.
His expression softened, the cool, aloof demeanor he often wore giving way to something more relaxed, more genuine. He smiled slightly, the kind of smile that made her breath catch in her throat.
"You're still here?" he asked, his voice teasing, but there was something in the way he said it that made her feel like he was glad she was.
Alstroemeria felt her cheeks warm, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. She had come here for a reason—she was supposed to be asking him for his social media accounts, right? But something about being close to him made her forget the words she'd rehearsed.
"I—uh," she stammered, trying to pull herself together. "I just wanted to, uh... ask you something." She glanced at him, then away. "You have social media, right? I mean, like... Instagram or something?"
Luca raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Why?"
Alstroemeria felt her stomach flutter. She was acting far more awkward than she'd intended. "I just... I realized I don't know anything about you online," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "I mean, we're... well, we're kind of, you know, a thing now. I thought maybe I should, uh, follow you or something."
Luca's smile widened, and there was that glimmer of amusement in his eyes again. "A thing, huh?" he repeated, as if savoring the word. "I guess that's one way to put it."
Alstroemeria felt herself flush deeper, but Luca's easygoing nature kept her from feeling too self-conscious. "Yeah, well, you know what I mean."
Luca shrugged casually, pulling out his phone from his gym bag and typing something quickly before turning it toward her. "Here," he said, holding the screen up so she could see it. "My handle. Don't go telling everyone, though. You're the first one to ask."
Alstroemeria blinked, a little surprised by his willingness to share. But she quickly typed it into her phone, confirming that she'd found the right account. A sudden sense of closeness bubbled up in her chest, despite the fact that this was all still new, still uncertain.
"I won't," she promised, her voice a little quieter than usual as she looked at him, the brief silence stretching between them.
Luca's gaze softened, his earlier teasing expression replaced with something a little more sincere. "Good. See you later, Alstroemeria."
She nodded, watching as he walked toward the locker rooms, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and anticipation. The game had ended, but in some ways, it felt like a new one had just begun.
(Luca's POV)
As I walked into the locker room, still feeling a bit giddy from the interaction with Alstroemeria, I couldn't help but smile like a crazed person. The rush of it all—the way she had blushed, the awkward yet genuine way she'd asked for my social media—had left me in an unfamiliar, but undeniably good, mood. I tried to keep my composure, but I knew my smile was probably giving me away.
Of course, my teammates noticed.
"Was that Alstroemeria Taylors?" Jerald, our captain, asked, raising an eyebrow. His voice held a mix of surprise and curiosity, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of his gaze.
"Yeah," I answered, trying to sound casual, though I knew my smile was betraying me. "She wanted my social media."
The locker room erupted into laughter, the teasing becoming inevitable. Jerald leaned against his locker, crossing his arms and giving me an amused look.
"Valerian, huh?" he said with a grin. "Never thought you had it in you. I mean, I've seen you with plenty of girls, but not someone like *her*." His eyes flickered to the others for confirmation, and I could tell they were all eager to know what was going on.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a laugh of my own. "What, you think I can't handle a little Taylor drama?" I teased back, though the truth was far more complicated than that. Alstroemeria wasn't just another girl to me.
"Guess you're moving up in the world," Jerald added, smirking. "Now, if you're actually dating her, that's a whole different kind of game. You sure you want to go there?"
I knew the question was a joke, but there was a kernel of truth to it. The whole Taylor-Valerian thing was a mess, a history I couldn't ignore. Alstroemeria and I were walking a very thin line between something real and a family war neither of us could escape. But I wasn't about to admit that out loud, especially not here.
I shrugged it off, trying to keep things light. "We're just talking, okay? Don't read too much into it."
But as the guys continued to joke around, I found it hard to ignore the truth bubbling inside me. Despite the teasing, despite the fact that I *should* be cautious, something about her—Alstroemeria—was different.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't care about the consequences. Whatever was going on between us was more than just a passing thing. She made me feel like I could be more than just the heir to the Valerian legacy, more than just the cold, detached guy I had always been.
But no one had to know that—not yet, anyway. The last thing I needed was the entire school, and especially my family, breathing down my neck before I even knew where this was headed.
"Alright, alright," Jerald said, clapping me on the back. "I get it. You're being all mysterious and cool. But just remember, you're playing a dangerous game with a Taylor. Don't say I didn't warn you."
I chuckled, knowing he was probably right. But in that moment, as I walked to my locker to change, my thoughts were still on Alstroemeria. I couldn't stop replaying her nervous smile and the way her eyes had softened when she'd asked for my account.
Maybe I was already in too deep.
As I pulled my shirt over my head and grabbed my bag, I couldn't shake the image of Alstroemeria from my mind. Her smile, the slight blush on her cheeks, and the way her voice had faltered when she asked for my social media. It wasn't just that she asked—it was the way she made me feel like I mattered in a way I hadn't experienced before.
The guys were still ribbing me, but I wasn't really paying attention anymore. Jerald's words echoed in my mind, a reminder of the precarious situation I found myself in. Dating a Taylors. It was like walking a tightrope, balancing on the line between something real and the legacy of our families' bitter feud.
But the thought of it didn't scare me as much as it should've. If anything, it made me more determined. Alstroemeria was different, and I wasn't going to let anything—or anyone—get in the way of whatever this was. Even if it meant risking everything I'd known.
I stuffed my things into my locker, the familiar click of the lock doing little to calm the swirl of thoughts racing in my head. Jerald, noticing my silence, gave me a knowing look.
"You good, man?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," I replied, forcing a nonchalant shrug. "Just tired. Got a lot on my mind, you know?"
Jerald didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press it. "Alright, whatever. Just don't let it mess with your game, Valerian." He clapped me on the back again, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "If you're going to be wrapped up in some Taylor drama, at least make sure it's worth it."
I met his gaze for a moment, my lips curling into a half-smile. "Trust me. It will be."
Walking out of the locker room, I tried to focus on the game ahead, but Alstroemeria's face kept resurfacing in my thoughts. She was everything I'd expected her to be—beautiful, intelligent, strong—and everything I'd never anticipated I'd want.
And now, somehow, she was mine. Or at least, that's what it felt like. But we both knew that this thing we were embarking on was far from simple. It was a secret, a delicate dance between two people with way too much history hanging over them. And every step we took would bring us closer to either something real or something that could destroy us both.
But as I stepped out into the cool evening air, I realized I didn't care. For the first time in a long while, I was willing to face the consequences.
For her.
And I didn't know if that made me crazy, or if it was exactly what I needed.
Either way, I wasn't going to back down now.
(Luca's POV)
Later that night, after practice, I found myself heading to the campus store to grab some snacks—mostly out of habit, but also because it helped me clear my head. The lingering thoughts of Alstroemeria still circled in my mind, and the more I tried to push them away, the more they came back stronger.
As I approached the elevator, I was startled to see Alstroemeria standing in front of it, her hand hovering near the button. She seemed lost in thought, her usual calm demeanor replaced by something softer, almost hesitant.
Before I could fully process what was happening, the elevator door started to close, and instinctively, I reached out to stop it.
The door slid back open with a soft ding, and there she was—surprised, her eyes widening slightly as if she hadn't expected anyone to be there, much less me.
"Oh," she said softly, her voice carrying a mixture of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place. She looked up at me, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to pause.
I could feel the electricity in the air, the tension between us palpable, but neither of us seemed to know exactly what to say.
I cleared my throat, trying to sound casual despite the sudden rush of nerves that coursed through me. "You, uh... heading up?" I asked, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.
She blinked a couple of times, seemingly regaining her composure. "Yeah," she said slowly, stepping back slightly to allow me inside. "I was just... waiting for the elevator."
The brief silence that followed felt heavy, neither of us sure how to bridge the gap that had grown between us since that first night.
I hesitated for a moment before stepping in. "So, uh, you still need my social media?" I asked with a teasing smile, trying to break the ice. "Or did you already find me on there?"
Alstroemeria looked at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I might've," she said, the playful tone in her voice unexpected. "But I wasn't sure if you'd be on your main account or your... secret one."
I raised an eyebrow. "Secret one?"
She nodded, her eyes flicking to the floor. "You know. The one only people you trust know about. That's what couples do, right? Share their second accounts?"
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Despite the teasing tone, there was a vulnerability in her voice that I hadn't expected. A part of me wanted to reach out, to say something to ease her discomfort, but I didn't. Instead, I just let out a low chuckle, trying to hide the way my heart seemed to race at her words.
"Well, I guess I should be careful then," I replied, glancing at her. "I wouldn't want to accidentally share too much."
The elevator dinged again, signaling that we had reached our floor.
As the door opened, the air between us shifted. The unspoken tension felt almost tangible, like the space between us was holding its breath, waiting for one of us to break the silence.
She stepped out first, pausing just for a second before turning to face me again. "Luca," she said softly, her eyes meeting mine with something deeper this time. "I'll... see you around."
I nodded, my heart thudding in my chest. "Yeah," I said, my voice lower than usual. "See you, Alstroemeria."
As she walked away, I couldn't help but watch her, my mind racing. Was she as confused about this as I was? Or was she pulling away from me for another reason?
One thing was certain, though—I wasn't going to let this slip away, whatever this was. The tension, the unspoken feelings—it was all leading somewhere, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take us next.
(Luca's POV)
I watched as Alstroemeria stopped in her tracks, her back still to me. For a brief moment, I thought I had completely messed up. The words hung in the air, almost as heavy as the silence between us. But then, slowly, she turned around, her eyes wide, her brows slightly raised, as if she hadn't expected me to say that.
I felt my heart skip a beat. "Can we spend some time... you know, together?" I asked again, my voice faltering. "Like watching movies in my dorm... With these snacks."
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to act like I wasn't internally freaking out. The casual tone I had aimed for seemed to fall apart, and now I was left standing here, feeling ridiculous for even suggesting it. I could feel my usual confidence slipping through my fingers as I realized I had no idea how to act around her. With everyone else, I knew exactly how to be. But with Alstroemeria? I was a mess.
Her gaze flickered to the snacks in my hand, then back to me. I couldn't read her expression, which made the whole moment even more nerve-wracking.
She didn't immediately respond, and I found myself second-guessing everything. I mean, what was I even thinking? The Taylors and Valerians weren't exactly the best mix, especially not with what we were going through.
But just when I thought she might walk away, her lips parted, and she took a step forward.
"I—" She hesitated, glancing down at her shoes for a moment. When she looked up again, there was something soft in her eyes, something that made my heart race even faster. "I guess... I could use a break."
I blinked, not sure if I had just heard that right. "Wait, seriously?" I asked, unable to hide the surprised tone in my voice.
She nodded, her smile just barely visible. "Yeah, alright. But only because I'm curious about the snack selection," she teased, though I could tell she was trying to hide the vulnerability behind it.
I grinned, feeling a rush of relief. "Alright then, it's a movie date," I said, my voice more confident now. "But I promise no cheesy rom-coms. I'm not that predictable."
Alstroemeria laughed, and I felt the air between us lighten just a little. "We'll see about that," she said, her voice carrying the slightest hint of a challenge.
As we walked together toward my dorm, the weight of the moment slowly began to settle in. It wasn't just a casual hangout anymore. The tension was still there, but now it was different—it felt like we were walking into something new, something we had both been avoiding, but couldn't resist any longer.
And even though my mind kept racing with doubts—family issues, reputations, everything else—I found that, for once, I didn't care as much about what was supposed to happen. For tonight, I was just Luca, and Alstroemeria was just... well, Alstroemeria.
And that was enough.