POV: Hex
Aries dropped me off before he and Jay left.
He didn't say much.
Just gave me that look.
"You good?"
I nodded.
I wasn't.
But I was functioning.
Close enough.
I stepped into school.
The hallway felt louder than usual.
Or maybe I just wasn't used to normal noise after everything.
I barely made it through the classroom door before—
Impact.
Arms wrapped around me.
Tight.
Warm.
"HEX!"
Mila.
I froze for half a second.
Then I hugged back.
She smelled like her usual vanilla shampoo.
"You idiot," she muttered. "Where were you? Do you know how worried we were?"
James appeared next and pulled me into a half hug from the side.
"You vanished."
Then Keiren.
Less dramatic.
But he pulled me into a quick hug too.
I blinked.
Oh.
Mila pulled back and grabbed my shoulders.
"Seriously. Where were you?"
James snorted. "She was worried the most."
Mila immediately elbowed him. "Shut up."
James grinned. "You checked your phone every ten minutes."
"I did not."
"You did."
I watched them argue.
And smiled.
20% sure she likes me.
We moved to our seats.
I dropped into mine and immediately put my head down on the table.
Six hours of sleep.
After days of almost none.
I was basically a tragic hero.
I felt someone poke my shoulder.
Keagan.
"You can't sleep."
"Yes I can," I mumbled into the desk.
"No, you can't."
"I only slept for six hours," I complained dramatically. "Please let me sleep."
James turned around in his seat.
"You can't sleep. You missed two days. You have to copy all the notes."
I slowly lifted my head.
My eyes found Mila.
Time to activate strategy.
I softened my expression.
Tilted my head slightly.
Lowered my voice just enough.
"Mila…" I said weakly. "Would you please help me copy the notes?"
I even coughed a little.
For effect.
Keiren looked at me.
Then looked at James.
Then slowly shook his head.
He knew.
Mila's expression immediately changed.
From annoyed.
To concerned.
"Are you still sick?" she asked.
"A little," I sighed.
Not entirely a lie.
James stared at me.
"You're acting."
I ignored him.
Mila pushed her notebook toward me.
"Fine. I'll help you."
James groaned but then sighed.
"Give me half of it. I'll send you pictures."
I blinked.
Even James felt pity.
This is too easy.
Keiren crossed his arms.
"You're unbelievable."
I smiled faintly at him.
He rolled his eyes.
For the next twenty minutes, Mila explained everything I missed.
She leaned closer so I could see the notes.
Her hair brushed my sleeve once.
My brain shut down for three seconds.
"Are you listening?" she asked.
"Yeah," I lied confidently.
She narrowed her eyes.
Then kept explaining anyway.
Okay maybe 25% sure she likes me.
Break time.
Finally.
Freedom.
We moved outside like usual.
James immediately started telling a dramatic story about how Keagan tripped in the hallway yesterday.
Keagan defended himself aggressively.
Keiren added commentary.
Mila sat beside me on the bench.
"You really didn't know the answer?" she asked.
"I was gone," I said defensively. "My brain hasn't rebooted yet."
She smiled.
"You're impossible."
"You still helped me."
She looked away slightly.
"I just didn't want you failing."
30%.
James threw a chip at me.
"You're smiling like an idiot."
"I'm always smiling," I replied.
"Not like that."
Keiren glanced at Mila.
Then at me.
Then shook his head again.
He sees too much.
We ate.
We talked.
For a while, everything felt normal.
No chaos.
No danger.
Just stupid jokes and shared food.
And Mila stealing fries from my tray.
Which she only does to me.
Okay 32%.
The rest of the day continued like that.
More classes.
More notes I didn't understand.
More Mila whispering explanations.
At one point she leaned over and said, "You need to actually study later."
I whispered back, "Will you supervise?"
She rolled her eyes.
But she didn't say no.
40%.
By the last period, exhaustion started creeping back in.
I rested my chin in my hand.
Watched her as she focused on writing.
She chews gum when she thinks.
I've noticed that before.
I notice a lot of things about her.
Which is dangerous.
Because liking someone means vulnerability.
And I've had enough chaos recently.
But still.
When the final bell rang, she nudged my arm.
"Don't disappear again."
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't loud.
Just quiet.
Serious.
Something in my chest tightened.
"I won't," I said.
And I meant it.
As we walked out together, James shoved me lightly.
"Try not to get punished this week."
"No promises."
Mila laughed.
Keiren just looked at me.
"You're lucky."
"I know," I replied.
And for once—
I wasn't joking.
Hex's inner thought:
I think I like her. Not dramatic movie-like love. Just… quiet. Steady. The kind that makes you notice small things. I'm 20% sure she likes me too. Which means there's an 80% chance I'm delusional. But honestly? I'll take those odds.