School days became even more exciting. I woke up every morning, with eyes sparkling, wide smiles, and heart bursting. Knowing that I'll get to see Nico everyday at school made it even more special.
"Good morning everyone." I smiled happily as I entered the classroom.
"Hey Nyx, you seem happy these days. Something good happened? Care to share the news?" One of my girl classmate, cheekily asked. We're not that close, and I knew she was one of those girls who started backstabbing me since my interaction with Nico became frequent.
"Nothing really happened, I just get to see your face that's why I'm happy." I sarcastically replied back, passing her, without even looking at her.
"Leon, want to grab lunch together later?" I asked him, but his once playful vibe began to fade nowadays. He didn't even replied. Like he heard nothing. I didn't bother asking him again.
At first, it started with silence.
Not the comfortable kind we used to share, stretched between laughter and teasing. This was sharp—cold. Leon hadn't spoken to me properly in days. Not since Nico started showing up more. Not since the lunch breaks, library visits, and after-class walks slowly shifted.
I'd find him in his usual spots—alone. But he'd never call out like he used to. Just looked past me, like I was another stranger passing by.
I found him today in the mini forest behind school, where he used to nap under the trees. I stepped close, heart pounding.
"Leon…" I clutched my bag strap. "Can we talk?"
He didn't move. "If it's about Nico, save it."
"It's not just about him," I said quickly. "It's about us. You've been ignoring me."
He turned, eyes duller than I remembered. "I've been watching you walk past me all week like I was invisible. Did you even notice?"
"Of course I did! But you never said anything either."
He let out a bitter laugh. "So that's how it works now? I have to beg for scraps of your time?"
"That's not fair…"
"No, what's not fair is you replacing everything we used to do with him. Our lunch spot? His now. Library runs? Haven't seen you there in weeks. You think I don't notice?"
"I didn't mean to—Leon, I wasn't trying to push you away."
He finally looked at me, and it hit harder than I expected—how tired he looked. How hurt.
"You didn't try anything, Nyx. You didn't even see it happening. You've been so caught up in him that you never turned around to see what it was doing to me."
"I never meant to make you feel left out…"
"But I was." His voice dropped. "And you didn't care until now."
I stepped forward. "You're my friend—"
"Yeah?" he cut in. "Then why does it feel like I was just the warm-up act before the main event?"
That stung.
"What do you want me to say?" I snapped. "That I've been a bad friend? Fine. I didn't realize I was drifting, but that doesn't mean you get to act like I abandoned you."
"I didn't want an apology." He looked away. "I wanted to matter. But maybe I never did—not the way I thought."
Something cracked inside me.
"Why are you acting like you were some boyfriend I cheated on?"
He flinched, then forced a cold smile. "Because maybe I cared more than you ever noticed."
He stepped back, that distance between us finally settling into something real. "Take care, Nyx. You won't have to worry about lunch breaks anymore."
And he walked past me—quiet, heavy, done.
I didn't chase him.
That evening, I sat at the park alone. The silence followed me.
A message buzzed on my phone. It was Nico. He might have noticed how down I was at school today. I didn't even dined with him during lunch.
"Are you okay? Want me to come pick you up?" I stared at it for a long time before typing.
"Yes, please."
The moment I saw his headlights, something inside me steadied. Nico stepped out, walked towards me with worry in his eyes, and without a word, opened his arms. I ran towards him and fell in his arms.
I didn't realize how badly I needed that warmth until I had it.
Whatever was lost with Leon, it hurt. But standing there, wrapped in Nico's embrace, I knew—I wasn't alone.
Not anymore.
He gently made me sit on the bench, and lift my chin up, looked into my eyes, and tuck my hair behind my ears.
"What happened Nyx?" His voice was warm and soft.
"You know Leon right?"
"Yeah, the guy you're always with?"
"That's right. We had this confrontation at school after class, he just snapped at me!"
"What did he say?"
"He said that I have no time for him, and- and that I don't have to worry about lunch breaks. Like, what does he mean?" Tears fell down my eyes, as I sobbed.
"It's okay Nyx, just let it all out. I'm here now." He graze my back gently.
"Thanks a lot Nico." He took me home, and stayed a bit.
The next day, we don't have afternoon classes, so I decided to go to the library to study. I chosed the seat next to the window. I could see the mini forest looking down through the window. I focused my gaze on the book I read. I was into the book I was reading when I heard a commotion from below. I checked where the voices were coming from, but to my surprise, I saw Leon and Nico. Seemed like, they're arguing. I returned the book, and rushed to where they were. No one else noticed their confrontation.
When I got there, the scene I saw made me froze. Leon punched Nico on the face. I wanted to call them out but I can't. No matter how I forced myself to say something, no words left my mouth. From their position, Leon saw me, he let go of Nico. Nico glanced to where he was looking. His face, full of worries, as he looked my way.
"N-Nyx!" He blurted out as he ran towards me. "Breath with me Nyx. Take deep breaths with me." He made me lean on him as I was trying to catch my breath.
"Hey, what's happening?" Leon worriedly asked.
"She's having a panic attack right now." Nico carried me, princess carry at that. They took me to the school infirmary.
The school nurse tended to me, Nico and Leon waited by my bedside. When the nurse told them that I'm okay, she left them saying that I needed rest. Leon, looked at my sleeping face.
"Why is she having a panic attack?" Leon asked as he held my hand.
"I don't know the details, but all I know is that she had a trauma. And that triggers when she sees someone getting beaten up. She saw you hit me. That triggered it."
"She didn't tell me anything about this."
"She didn't tell me anything either. This is the third time I saw her like this."
"Third? No wonder you immediately went to her after noticing she's having an attack."
"She needs support everytime she's having panic attacks. No matter how mild it is, it's better to act as soon as possible than to delay it."
The two of them were waiting for me to wake up. I slowly opened my eyes, and glanced on my side. Nico was there leaning on the wall, while Leon was sitting on a chair, while holding my hand.
"L-Leon? Nico?"
"Nyx!" The two of them exclaimed.
"How are you feeling?" Nico asked as he helped me sat on the bed.
"I'm okay now. Thank you." I met his gaze and to my surprise, he's got bruised on his face. I angrily looked at Leon.
"Nyx, I should take you home, so you can rest more comfortably." Nico offered.
"N-Nyx, I didnt mean to hit him."
"Didn't mean it? But your punch landed on his face Leon!"
"Nyx, I just snapped that's why I hit him. Don't get the wrong idea."
"You always snap at people Leon. First it was me, now, you even hit the peofessor."
"Nyx, it's not like that. Listen to me."
"Did you even listen to me Leon? You didn't even listen to my explanation. You even snapped at me! Like what you said the other day. You don't have to worry about me. And just be on our ways, since our friendship is only for this season right?." My eyes met his, fierce and firm.
Leon didn't defend himself any further, his avoided any more reason for me to be more emotionally triggered. He just left the infirmary feeling down. I guess this is where our friendship ends. Nico calmed me down and offered me a ride home.
At home, I told Nico to stay a bit longer. We were at the garden. My mother also asked him to stay for dinner, and he agreed. Silence filled the air, as he just waited for me to initiate our talk. I took deep breaths and finally, broke the silence.
"Nico, thank you for being so considerate of my feelings. You never asked me, about my trauma."
"I told you before Nyx, that I'll wait patiently for you to open up. I won't force you if it's too hard for you to soeak about it." He pressed my hand gently, as affirmation.
"It's okay Nico, I think I can tell you about it."
"Nyx, you don't have to force yourself."
"Nico, my trauma, it's because of Xavier's bestfriend before."
"Okay Nyx, I'll listen to your every words." Our hands intertwined, he's giving me gentle pats on my hand every now and then.
"This guys named Nathan, he's a long time crush of mine. He was Xavier's bestfriend. He always came here to hang out with my brother. Then, my bestfriend Samantha, fell for him. The two got together, both if them didn't know that I liked Nathan."
"My heart ached hearing that Nyx, so, you were enduring everything on your own."
"I decided not to interfere between them, and just be happy for the both of them. But, one night, Nathan came here drunk. Samantha was grounded, and her parents were against their relationship. Because of age gap. She's the only child so, I can understand her parents were just worried."
"Just like us huh, but your parents are so lovable, they respect your decisions, and support you."
"And I'm thankful to them for that."
"What happened next Nyx?"
"Nathan, asked me to call Samantha but her mother answered instead. I turned on speaker for Nathan to hear. He became more unstable, hearing Samantha's remarks about their relationship. He stayed for hours, i didn't even bother talking to him. I didn't offer comfort, cause I don't want to cross the line I set. But----" tears fell down my eyes, upon seeing it, Nico put me in his embrace.
"It's okay Nyx, you can stop talking. I'm here, I won't force you."
"No, you should know this too. Nathan, pinned me on the couch, and forced his way with me. He aggressively kissed me, no matter how much I resisted, I couldn't push him away. When his kiss reached my neck, I was able to scream for help. Xanayah went to my rescue. I was able to be freed from Nathan's grip. And Xavier stormed in after receiving a call from Xanayah. He beat him up, till he almost fainted. He face was covered with blood, swollen, and cracked lips."
I trembled, as I recalled everything that happaned that day. I looked at Nico, he was gripping his hands tightly, I could see his veins popping out. He was angry, furious, and mad after hearing the cause of my trauma. His was gritting his teeth, but he was holding back. He let out deep breaths even I could hear. He comforted me, and held me in his arms.
"You don't have to face this alone Nyx, I am here with you now. I'll bcome running your way if you call for me. If you feel like your having an attack, think of me. Call me immediately. You're not alone now. I am here for you." He hugged me tightly. In his embrace, I felt comfort and warmth. He let me cry my hearts out, from all the pain, and stacked up feelings I've been keeping to myself.
My family was there, looking our way. They felt relieved that I'm able to talk to someone freely. When I calmed down, eyes swollen from crying, we head inside. They never asked what happened and just silently smiled at me. We ate dinner, and Nico went home afterwards. Mother told me to just rest early, and she'll do the dishes. I thanked her and went to my room.
At school, and unwanted news greeted me. Leon transferred school, without even telling me in advance.
"So that's what he meant by not worrying about lunch breaks anymore." I whispered to myself.
As I walked the hallway, during lunch break, I could see their gazes looking my way and then whispering to each other. A group of senior girls blocked my way, and dragged me to a more secluded area at school.
"So she's the girl huh?" This girl seemed to be the leader of the group. She scanned me up and down, like measuring my value.
"Yeah, she's the girl Professor Nico and that guy Leon fighting for." Another girl, short but fierce.
"Really? But she's not even pretty. I'm more beautiful, sexy, and charming than her. Right girls?"
"Yes, Agnes, what you say is the truth." One of the girl's agreed. They're like Agnes' minions. Agreeing to everything she said.
"What do you want from me? If you're done evaluating me like I'm some goods, then let me go now." I picked my bag up, and turned away. But Agnes grabbed my hand and pinned me on the wall. She gripped my chin tightly, that my lips started to hurt.
"You can't go unless I'm done with you." I resisted and pushed her away from me. She fell on the ground.
"What did I ever do to you?" Her minions helped her stand up and brushed off dust from her skirt.
"It's because of you that Professor Nico got fired!"
"What?" My eyes widened as I heard the news.
"You didn't know? Professor got fired the first thing this morning. Everyone in the campus knew about the fight between him and the guy named Leon." I still can't believe it no matter how many times she repeat it. I bumped into her, but she still tried to stop me. She caught my hand. This time, I'm not getting dragged like last time. I stood firmly from where I was standing, met her eyes and gkared at her. She flinched, and loosen her grip. I took that chance and made a run for it. I dialed Nico's number, but he didn't answer it. I left him a message and told him to call me when he gets the chance.
I still attended my classes without skipping any subjects. Even if the people's judgmental eyes were fixed on me. I didn't mind them, and just be on my way. I received a text from Nico after the class ended for the day. He told me to meet him at the cafe we always go to. It was just near the school, so I rushed there as soon as the bell rang. I saw him sitting there, waving his hand at me when he saw me coming in.
"Nico what happened? I heard you got fired!" I'm still catching my breath. He gave me some water for me to drink, and calmed myself down.
"That's true." He just smiled at me.
"Why are you still smiling, when you just got fired." He just smiled at me while staring. "Hey! Answer me." I got upset but still, I couldn't see a trace of sadness or disappointment in him.
"Nyx, I don't really care about what happened."
"Why? You were a great professor."
"Only one things is on my mind right now."
"And what is it?"
"You." I turned my gaze away, feeling my face flushed.
"M-Me? What's it got to do with me?"
"Now Nyx, I can freely be myself, without school restrictions." He gently grabbed my chin and made me look him in the eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"First, let's go to your home. I'm officially asking their permission to court you." My heart can't contain it's happiness, that I hugged him tightly.
I wondered if this was finally the reward I got for enduring pain for so long. I was so happy that every gaze we received as we passed by the campus didn't matter to me at all.