Have fun being miserable.

The last period of the school day arrives, and Ken's class has just been left in self-management due to the absence of the teacher.

"Where are you going?" Ken asks Briar as he sees them getting up and heading towards the class's exit.

"To Ghalen's class." They say goodbye and leave the classroom, while Ken follows them with his gaze, which then shifts to Rebecca as she gets up from her seat with some books in her hands and walks towards him.

She's coming to me for the first time...! He looks at her with wide eyes but a smiling face, only to frown in confusion when she addresses Will instead of him.

"During the English lesson, I didn't quite understand some things, and I saw how you responded to the teacher... if you don't mind, could you explain some concepts to me?" She asks Will.

"Of course, sit down there." Will points to the empty desk in front of him.

You weren't supposed to accept! Ken gives his best friend a death glare, but he doesn't notice.

They start talking, and Will explains things that Ken doesn't understand, so he can't even join the conversation.

In moments like these, I wish I were a genius... He thinks, continuing to watch his crush being explained things by his best friend, and they both look at the same textbook, making them very close to each other.

"Guys, do you want something from the vending machines? I'll treat you." He asks them, feeling unnecessarily jealous of his best friend and unable to stay and watch them.

"A cup of coffee." Will says without thinking much.

"I can't take advantage. I'm good..." Rebecca shakes her head.

"I insist."

"I'd like a cereal bar, then."

"Consider it done." He then glances at the teacher's desk to make sure the teacher hasn't arrived yet.

Ken leaves the classroom to go to the vending machines, where he stands in line. After a while, it's his turn, and he starts with Will's coffee, but he's suddenly hit in the back of his head by Brayton.

"What was that for?" He asks him.

"For cheating in the game earlier."

"You're still mad because I kicked your ass in that mobile game?" He chuckles. "Hold this for me." He hands Will's coffee to Brayton while he grabs the rest of the snacks, which, besides Rebecca's cereal bar, also include a pack of candies for himself.

"You cheated, so of course I'm still mad." Brayton gestures with his free arm.

"Just admit you can't take a loss."

"Shut up, cheater."

"Fine, I'll give you a rematch later." He emphasizes the word "later" while holding the coffee.

"You wish."

They arrive at Ken's class, where Will is still explaining things to Rebecca, while Brayton stays outside the classroom. Ken hands the coffee to Will and takes out the cereal bar from his pocket, offering it to him more gently than he did with his friend.

"Bro and I are going to Ghalen's class." He tells them.

"Don't get caught." Will advises him with just a nod.

As Ken turns to leave again, Rebecca grabs the hem of his sweatshirt.

"Don't go. You'll get in trouble with the teachers..." She looks worried, and Ken finds her so cute that he feels like he's falling in love all over again. He quickly regains his composure and leans closer to her ear so that Will won't hear.

"Is my rose worried about me?" He whispers, letting out soft, warm breaths into her ear, and she instinctively covers it.

"D-don't tease me!" She yells a little, making him grin.

"I'll be right back before the teacher even gets here! Bye." He joins Brayton and together, they head to a secluded part of the building's stairs where they know they won't be easily disturbed or caught.

* * *

Ken returns to class as soon as he receives a message from Will letting him know that the teacher is in the class. He's almost in front of his class when he notices Nora glancing inside.

"Are you looking for Will? Isn't he inside?" He asks her, but she completely ignores him and runs in the opposite direction without even looking at him.

Ken continues walking, confused, until he finds himself in front of the classroom door. He looks inside and doesn't see anything strange; the only thing different from usual is Will and Rebecca still close while probably talking about English. He stands there thinking for a few minutes.

Is it possible that she... got jealous seeing them...? Nora? The proud, stubborn, and sadistic Nora that he knows?

Impossible, right?

But he still runs after her.

Where did she go? She suddenly disappears from his sight when they reach a fork, but he finds her almost immediately in a hallway, sitting on the floor in the shade. He kneels in front of her.

"What's wrong? Why did you run away?"

"Go away... you're the last person I want to talk to."

"I'm probably one of the only two persons you're friends with."

"You aren't my friend."

"Even worse."

"I don't need your pity. Go away! I'll kick you!" She nearly screams.

It's pointless to talk to her...

"Fine. Have fun being miserable."

He returns to the classroom, leaving her still sitting on the floor with her back against the wall and her head on her knees hugged to her chest.