A few days passed.

  Rowan had grown more distant, as if the end of our assignment had closed more than just an academic chapter. We only exchanged polite nods now, bare acknowledgements.

  But in that same space of silence, my friendship with Alax grew.

  In the morning, I pedaled through the university gates on my cycle and spotted him waiting near the entrance.

  “Hi!” he called out, waving.

  I waved back, smiling as I pulled up beside him.

  I knew I was being selfish. I knew why I was really doing this. But Alax’s warmth, his sincerity… it made the guilt easier to carry.

  “Good morning,” he said, walking over as I locked my bike.

  “Morning,” I replied.

  “The midterm exam dates got announced,” I mentioned, slipping my bag over my shoulder.

  He nodded. “Yeah, starting next week.”

  “Want to study together? You know… maybe form a group?”

  “I’d love to,” he said, his smile genuine.

  “Great. Maybe ask your friends too,” I added lightly, hoping the implication wasn’t too obvious.

  “Yeah, I’ll ask them,” he said with a small nod.

“What did you have for breakfast?” I asked as we walked into the building.

  “Nothing. I overslept and ran straight to university, so…” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

  We stepped into the lift, and Alax pressed the button for the third floor. It was just the two of us inside, quiet, close, and a little too aware of each other.

  “You really should eat something in the morning,” I said, glancing at him.

  He didn’t respond right away, just smiled, listening to all my nonsense without interruption.

  There was something about that smile.

  It was kind, yes… but maybe just a little suspicious too.

  Still, I chose to ignore it.

  As we walked toward the classroom together, that’s when I saw them, Rowan and Sophia. Talking quietly. Intently. Something about the way she leaned in made my stomach twist.

  Sophia’s gaze snapped to mine. Cold. Possessive.

  I didn’t flinch. I looked right past her, offered a soft “Hi” to Rowan.

  He looked up briefly. A small nod. No smile. No warmth.

  Just… that same nod.

  I took my seat beside Nora and David, trying not to let the sting show on my face.

  “You two seem to be together a lot these days,” David said, nudging me with a smirk.

  “You’re not doing good,” Nora added, her tone sharper.

  I knew exactly what she meant.

  “It’s not like that,” I said softly. “I really do consider Alax a friend.”

  Nora opened her mouth to say something, something I probably didn’t want to hear, but the professor entered just then, and class began.

  Still, her words stayed with me longer than the lecture ever could.

  “Hey, Alax!” I called out as I spotted him down the corridor with Jake and Rowan.

  I waved to all three. Jake responded with his usual bright enthusiasm. Alax gave a quick wave. Rowan, just a nod, as always.

  “Don’t you remember our study group?” I asked Alax.

  “Oh yeah! Are we starting today?” he asked, adjusting his bag.

  “Yeah, let’s go,” I said, falling into step beside him.

  A few steps later, I turned to look at Rowan and Jake.

  “Would you guys like to join us?” I asked, keeping my voice light, casual, though my heartbeat was anything but.

  Jake perked up. “Is Nora coming?”

  I nodded, still watching Rowan.

  He didn’t respond immediately. The silence stretched thin. Then Jake nudged him slightly, repeating the question.

  Rowan finally shook his head. “No,” he said simply.

  Then turned and walked away, when Sophia called his name from behind.

  My heart sank a little lower into the pit it had been resting in.

We reached the library, Alax, Jake, and I.

  Nora and David were already there, seated side by side. The moment Nora saw Jake walk in, her eyes darted to me, sharp and accusing. David’s expression was even more intense. Neither of them needed to say a word.

  “I’m glad to join you again, Miss,” Jake said brightly, taking a seat beside Nora, clearly oblivious to her glare.

  Alax and I sat across from each other.

  “So… let’s study,” I said, forcing some cheer into my voice. But even I could hear the sadness underneath.

  “Are you okay?” Alax asked gently.

  “Yeah… just tired,” I murmured, lowering my head to the desk.

  My eyes stayed fixed on the library door. A small part of me still hoped Rowan might walk in. That maybe he’d change his mind. That maybe he’d come just this once.

  But he didn’t.

  Alax sat silently across from me. I could feel his eyes on me, could sense his worry.

  Without a word, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small juice bottle. An energy drink.

  “Here, have this. You’ll feel better,” he said softly, sliding it across the table.

  I took it, unscrewed the cap, and drank the whole thing in one go.

  “Careful,” he said, surprised. “Don’t gulp it like that.”

  But I didn’t care.

  I wasn’t tired.

  I was angry.

  Frustrated.

  Furious.

My comfort note

Dear comfort note,

Why am I being like this? I want to stop… but I don’t know how. Life was fine before Rowan entered it. I was calm, steady, maybe even happy in my own way. But ever since he showed up, everything’s changed. I’ve started feeling jealous, irritated, obsessed…

And slowly, I feel like I’m turning into someone I don’t recognize, like I’m becoming a little more psycho every day. Whenever I see him with Sophia, it twists something ugly inside me.

She looks at me like she knows. Like she’s taunting me. Like she has him, and I’m just standing there, aching for scraps. I hate it. I hate how she took him away right in front of my eyes like I wasn’t even there. And then…

there’s Alax. He’s like this strange, calm voice in my chaos. Always talking, always trying to distract me from the dark thoughts spinning in my head. Whether I’m in the mood or not,

he keeps trying. And maybe… maybe he knows I like Rowan. I’m not sure. I’m never going to ask. I don’t want to ruin my friendship with Alax. He’s genuinely kind. Thoughtful. And honestly, if Rowan weren’t in the picture…

There’s a good chance I might’ve fallen for Alax. No matter how frustrating or messy my days get, just being around him calms me. The way he talks…

it’s like I could listen to him for hours and never get tired. But don’t get me wrong. Don’t think I’m falling for him. The one I love… is still Rowan.