Their footsteps echoed on the pavement in an oddly synchronized rhythm. Leon hated how natural it felt—walking side by side with the one person he'd sworn to dislike forever.
Students passing by glanced at them; some whispered. Everyone knew Leon and Richard were rivals. They had been for years, since the days they stole each other's crayons in kindergarten.
When they reached the academic block, Leon sped up. "I'm going ahead."
But Richard caught his wrist—not tightly, just enough to stop him. Leon froze at the unexpected touch. A warm current ran up his arm before he shook it off.
"Don't grab me!" Leon snapped, heart thumping louder than he wanted.
Richard didn't look guilty. If anything, he looked… amused. "Relax. I wanted to tell you something."
Leon crossed his arms defensively. "What?"
"There's a freshman social night this Friday. Our dorm was given tickets."
Leon blinked. "Okay? And why are you telling me?"
"Because I'm inviting you."
Leon's brain glitched, short-circuited, rebooted, and still couldn't process the sentence properly. "You're… inviting me? To something? Voluntarily?"
Richard's lips twitched. "Yes."
"Are you sick?"
"No."
"Is this a prank?"
"No."
"Is there poison at this event?"
Richard let out a soft laugh. "Leon, relax. I just thought—well… you don't go to things like this. And you should."
The fact that Richard sounded serious for once made Leon uncomfortable. He stared at him suspiciously. "What's your angle?"
"Maybe I want to help you talk to Maya," Richard said lightly.
Leon's heart skipped. "You—what? Why would you do that?"
"Because you're hopeless," Richard said simply.
Leon clenched his fists. "Hopeless? Me?"
"Yes. Hopelessly awkward. Hopelessly oblivious. Hopelessly—"
Leon shoved him lightly in the shoulder. "Shut up!"
Richard only laughed more.
The worst part was that he wasn't wrong.
Leon looked away, cheeks heating. "Whatever. I don't need your help."
"Still," Richard said, taking a step closer, "come to the event."
Their eyes met again. Too close. Too direct. Leon's stomach tightened—not with anger, but something he didn't have a name for yet.
He looked away quickly. "I'll think about it."
"Good."
Richard left without another word, heading toward the gym. Leon exhaled sharply. Why was it so hard to breathe when that guy stood too close?
---
Classes dragged on slower than usual. Leon spent half the time replaying Richard's words and the other half scolding himself for replaying Richard's words.
By afternoon, he decided to find Maya. Maybe talking to her would clear his mind.
He spotted her under a tree near the library plaza, humming softly while reading a novel. The sunlight danced gently on her hair, making her look warm and approachable.
"Maya!" Leon waved.
She smiled. "Leon! You're early today."
"I, uh… thought I'd stop by."
He sat beside her, trying to keep his cool. They talked lightly—about classes, books, annoying professors. Leon felt like he was doing well.
Until Maya asked casually, "So… are you and Richard getting along now?"
Leon choked on his own breath. "W-What?!"
"Well, you came to class together this morning," she said with a teasing smile.
Leon felt his soul leave his body. "It's not like that! He—he's just annoying! Always in the way!"
Maya giggled. "You sound close."
Close?
Leon nearly screamed.
Before he could defend himself, someone called his name. He turned—and saw Richard walking toward them, waving.
Leon's heart dropped.
"Oh no," he whispered.
Richard stopped in front of them, giving a polite smile to Maya… then looking directly at Leon.
"Ready for lunch?"
Leon forgot how to breathe again.
And Maya? She was smiling knowingly. Too knowingly.
Leon internally panicked.
Why did it feel like his life was becoming more complicated by the hour?
Leon dragged his feet as Richard led the way to the campus cafeteria. His mind raced, replaying every little thing Richard had done that morning—the smirk, the invitation to the social night, the way he had casually walked next to Leon without asking permission. Every step felt heavier than it should, like his legs knew trouble was waiting at the other end.
Richard walked calmly, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed. He looked… annoyingly perfect. Leon wanted to punch something but had wisely decided it should not be Richard. Not in public. Not today. Maybe not ever.
Maya walked ahead of them, her backpack swinging lightly, humming softly. Leon kept stealing glances at her, while Richard's eyes never left her for more than a second. That was the worst part: Richard wasn't even subtle. Every glance, every step, every careful smile he shot at her made Leon's stomach twist in ways he didn't like to admit.