Peryn had been on a roll lately.Too much of a roll.
Ever since Sayuri and Akio's relationship turned the whole class into a soap opera, he'd made it his personal mission to keep me on edge. Passing compliments to random girls, sharing his water bottle like it was nothing, even laughing a little too hard at someone else's joke.
I noticed. Of course I noticed. But this time, I decided—I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
So when he leaned across my desk during science and whispered, "Guess who called me handsome today?" I didn't even look up.
"Good for you," I said flatly, scribbling notes.
He blinked, taken aback. "…That's it? No reaction?"
I shrugged. "What do you want me to say, congratulations?"
His smirk faltered for just a second, and it was almost enough to make me grin.
At lunch, he tried again. He sat with another group, letting one of the girls taste his food, glancing my way after every bite. Normally, I would've rolled my eyes or made a sarcastic comment. But this time? I kept my head down and laughed at something Sayuri said instead.
Peryn's smile froze. He didn't like being ignored.
By the end of the day, he was restless. While everyone packed up, he poked my shoulder, leaning close.
"Hey, Luna," he murmured. "Did you seriously not miss me at all today?"
I zipped my bag, stood up, and tossed over my shoulder: "Not even a little."
The look on his face was priceless—half annoyed, half… curious.
As I walked away, my heart hammered in my chest. I wasn't sure how long I could keep this up. But one thing was clear: if he wanted to play this game, fine. I could play too.
And maybe, just maybe, ignoring him was the only way to make him realize how much I actually mattered.