The exam day had finally ended, and students spilled out of Northern Heights Academy like a wave of relief. Luna adjusted her bag, scanning for her bus. She had a strange feeling that today wouldn't be ordinary.
Sure enough, Peryn appeared beside her. "Hey, your bus hasn't come yet?" he asked casually, but his eyes searched the street, scanning the route as if he were personally responsible for her safe travel.
"Nope," Luna replied, shaking her head.
He frowned slightly. "Your bus might be at the front… Route number 5, right?"
Luna hesitated, then shook her head. "Nah, it's never in the front. Don't worry about it."
"Suit yourself," he said, but before stepping away, he added, "I'll keep an eye out for it anyway."
Luna felt her chest tighten. She didn't need him to worry, but the way he casually lingered made her heart flutter.
A few minutes later, Peryn's friend, Jacob, appeared, interrupting the small moment. Luna excused herself, waving goodbye. She glanced back — and Peryn waved too. That small gesture, a simple wave, made her smile despite the brief interruption.
Sayuri, watching from a distance, noticed Peryn's attention and Akio's reaction. Akio hadn't been near Luna today, but she knew the tension inside him would spike the moment he saw her interacting with Peryn. She clenched her notebook nervously, wondering how to navigate her own feelings for Akio while observing the dynamics around Luna.
Peryn, oblivious to the mental gymnastics around him, continued scanning the street. When Luna walked by a tree partially blocking his view, he tilted his head, eyes narrowing playfully, as if making sure he saw everything he wanted. Luna rolled her eyes, hiding a blush.
By the time her bus finally arrived, Luna felt her chest race — a mix of excitement, thrill, and the odd, confusing warmth that came whenever Peryn was nearby. Akio, if he were here, would have been fuming silently, while Sayuri would have been torn between teasing him and protecting him from his own jealousy.