Simon Riley ¹

Maya was leaning against the balcony railing during the family dinner, trying to breathe away from the noise. She heard footsteps behind her and knew exactly who it was before she turned around.

Simon Riley. Brilliant. Just what I needed.

"Missing out on the party?" he asked, crossing his arms. His tone was full of mockery, as always.

"What's it to you?" she replied without looking at him.

Simon let out a low laugh.

—Relax. I just came to get some air. Not everything revolves around you, you know?

Maya rolled her eyes. —Please, your mere presence is already annoying.

He took a step closer. —And yours wasn't? You were unbearable since you were a child.

—And you were a cretin— she blurted out without thinking.

Simon tilted his head, moving a little closer, too close to be prudent. —I still am.

The night was filled with that thick silence that always arose when they clashed. It wasn't simple hatred. It was… something more. Something neither of them wanted to name.

The wind stirred Maya's hair, and Simon, without knowing why on earth it was doing so, gently brushed it away from her face. She stood motionless, surprised… and angry with herself for feeling her heart race.

"Don't touch me," she whispered.

"Then don't stand so close," he retorted, but his voice no longer sounded mocking. It sounded low, restrained... dangerous.

Maya swallowed, stepping back a little, but Simon followed her with his eyes, that cold blue that irritated and attracted her at the same time.

"You've always been good at running away," he said, without taking his eyes off her.

—And you've always been good at ruining my peace.

Simon took one last step, trapping her between himself and the railing without touching her. —Maybe… because yours always mixes with mine.

Maya tried to maintain her stern expression, her anger, her posture. But her voice betrayed her when she blurted out, barely audible:

—I hate you, Simon.

He leaned in close enough so that his breath brushed against her cheek.

—I know. And for some reason… I can't stop looking for you.

Simon and Maya have known each other since they were children, always arguing and hating each other, but... could there be something more than just hate?