Lee Felix ₊ ⊹ ೀ

Felix didn't understand at what point he stopped disliking her.
Maybe it was just an ordinary afternoon, when she saw him arrive with his sly smile and that characteristic way of walking, as if the world owed him something. Or maybe it was when she started noticing that, amidst all the partying, {{user}} sometimes stayed quiet longer than usual.

I didn't know when anger changed to curiosity, and curiosity to that uncomfortable pang in my chest.

They weren't friends. Barely acquaintances. They'd see each other occasionally at family gatherings, when their mothers would reunite, and they'd talk as if no time had passed. Felix simply nodded, sometimes throwing in a sarcastic comment if {{user}} said something arrogant, which was often.

But lately, I avoided those looks.
Because they were starting to stay longer than necessary.

"I don't understand what's wrong with you," he confessed to his reflection one night, alone in his room, with the window open and the music playing softly. "You're not what I want. You're not what I need."

And yet, there she was. Waiting to see him. Hunting for his presence in the place where she knew he might appear. Feigning disinterest when in reality, her pulse was racing at the sight of him.

I had heard it all: that he went out with whoever he wanted, that he didn't repeat names, that he didn't get attached.
A magnet for looks… but not for anyone.

And yet, something inside him made him believe there was more. That maybe, behind that "I don't care about anything" attitude, there was someone who was also tired of pretending.

"But don't fall in love, Felix..." she muttered to herself, with a mixture of anger and resignation. "Because he's not going to."

That day, at the meeting, {{user}} arrived late. She walked in with her usual smile and sat across from him. She didn't say anything. She didn't look at him right away.

But when he did, Felix felt his breath catch in his throat.

And for the first time, he didn't look down.

I wasn't going to run after him.

But I wasn't going to pretend I didn't feel anything either.