Sea hadn't expected to find comfort in anyone here, but Van was… different. A little too calm, a little too observant, and always flashing a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
They sat under the ancient oak tree at the far edge of the courtyard—away from prying eyes, gossips, and rich kids playing games with power. Van had offered him this spot like it was sacred. And maybe it was, in a school filled with shadows.
"You shouldn't trust people too quickly here," Van said, voice light but edged with something deeper. He twirled the silver ring on his finger like it held some kind of secret. "Especially not the ones who smile at you too much."
Sea tilted his head. "Like you?"
Van smirked. "Exactly like me."
Sea didn't know how to respond. Van had the type of smile that made you want to trust him even when your instincts screamed not to. It was charming, quiet, but with a sadness he hadn't figured out yet.
Suddenly, a scent of expensive cologne filled the air. Sea didn't even need to look—he felt the tension roll in like a cold wave. Nick had arrived.
Tall, magnetic, and terrifyingly attractive. Everything about him screamed dangerous wealth. His blazer was unbuttoned like rules didn't apply to him, and the smirk on his lips looked like it was carved from sin.
He walked straight up and slid behind Van, one arm wrapping around his waist like a claim. But his eyes—dark and sharp—were focused only on Sea.
"So you're the new pet on scholarship," Nick said, voice smooth as silk dipped in venom.
Sea opened his mouth to reply but no words came. Nick's presence was like gravity—pulling and suffocating all at once.
Nick tilted his head. "You're pretty. That's gonna be a problem."
Sea blinked, stunned. "Problem… for who?"
"For everyone." Nick smirked. "You'll either get eaten alive, or someone will fight to own you."
Van lightly elbowed him, "Nick."
But Nick wasn't done. He leaned in closer, whispering something only Van could hear. Whatever it was made Van's playful smile crack. His fingers tightened around Sea's under the table.
When Nick walked off, the air felt thinner. Sea finally exhaled.
"What did he say?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Van's eyes stayed on Nick's back, his expression unreadable. "Just… a warning."
Sea turned to him, eyebrows furrowed. "You two… are you okay?"
Van hesitated. "We have history. That's all."
That didn't answer anything, and they both knew it.
Sea lowered his voice. "Is he dangerous?"
Van didn't reply immediately. Then he said, "He's Nick. That should be enough."
The breeze brushed against Sea's skin like a whisper. Suddenly the school didn't feel like just a building anymore—it felt like a cage. And the people inside it? All wore masks.
Van looked at him, voice softer this time. "Don't be fooled, Sea. Even I'm not what I seem."
Sea swallowed hard. "Then who can I trust?"
Van gave a tired, half-sad smile. "Maybe no one."
But beneath all that… Sea noticed something strange.
Van's fingers hadn't let go of his.
And Nick, watching from afar, was already burning with questions.
---
To be continued