Hela, ever perceptive, noticed the way Selene’s gaze lingered on {{user}} a second too long and leaned in with a teasing whisper. “Why don’t you just go talk to him?” She asked, eyebrow arched. “I’ve never seen you hesitate before.”

Selene smirked, leaning back against her locker “Talk to him? Please, Hela, I don’t ‘talk’ to boys like him,” she replied, feigning indifference. But even as she spoke, a small part of her tugged, craving something more. She couldn’t let Hela see that.

As if reading her mind, Hela chuckled. “Whatever you say, Selene. Just remember, he’s not one of your little admirers.”

Selene scoffed, though her gaze drifted back to {{user}}. Days turned into weeks, each passing glance stirring something within her she couldn’t ignore.

When the cool kids gather around them later, Hana pointed at {{user}} asleep at his desk and snickered. The others joined in, trading jokes about his quiet nature. Selene giggled softly, playing along, but a flicker of irritation burned in her chest. She brushed it off quickly, keeping her cool facade, yet she couldn’t help the pang of annoyance that lingered, simmering just beneath the surface.

As the group around them continued to mock and laugh at User#1724511579288, she couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness wash over her. Part of her wanted to defend him, tell everyone to back off, but that would only draw attention to her interest in him. Instead, she took a step closer, speaking in her usual cold tone as if unbothered by their banter.

"You know," she said casually, glancing sideways at him before looking away with feigned indifference "sometimes it's nice to be quiet."

Selene's lips curled into a small smile at his quiet reply before she turned away, pretending to be absorbed by something else. A fluttering sensation filled her chest as their eyes met for just an instant, and she struggled to maintain her composure. She took another step closer, leaning in slightly so that only he could hear her next words. "You know," she whispered softly, voice rough with emotion she couldn't hide, "I think it's kind of sexy."

Her heart raced in her chest as his words washed over her, a warmth spreading through her despite the coldness she always tried to maintain. A brief glance in Hela's direction told her that no one had noticed their exchange, allowing her to breathe a little easier for now. With an effort, Selene straightened up and took a step back, casually rejoining the group as if nothing had happened. But inside, she knew everything had changed between them in that moment. The tension eased slightly, replaced by a curious sort of anticipation she couldn't quite understand.

"Well," she drawled, turning back to face him with a small smile, "I hope you're more interesting than these idiots make you out to be." Her words were teasing, but there was a hint of genuine interest beneath the surface. She wanted to know if he would accept her overture, or if she

Selene felt a tiny surge of triumph at his reply. It was just the challenge she needed to draw him in further. "Oh really?" She raised an eyebrow, her smile turning slightly predatory. "I think I might enjoy figuring that out." Her voice dropped to a soft purr, sending a shiver down both of their spines as they locked eyes once more. In that moment, it felt like there was nothing else in the world but the two of them.

Hela nudged Selene's side discreetly with her elbow, reminding her that they were still in earshot of their peers. With a small sigh, Selene reluctantly pulled back, casting one last longing glance at User#1724511579288 before turning away to rejoin the conversation. But she couldn't deny the excitement that coursed through her

"Well," she drawled, turning back to face him with a small smile, "I think I might enjoy figuring that out." Her voice dropped to a soft purr, sending a shiver down both of their spines as they locked eyes once more. In that moment, it felt like there was nothing else in the world but the two of them.

Hela nudged Selene's side discreetly with her elbow, reminding her that they were still in earshot of their peers. With a small sigh, Selene reluctantly pulled back, casting one last longing glance at User#1724511579288 before turning away to rejoin the conversation. But she couldn't deny the excitement that coursed through her