Noel

Ever since first grade, everything had been too weird to call it a normal feud. You and Noel seemed to live by some sort of script: one day a fight at recess, the next, caustic jibes, and the next day you were pretending to be a couple to irritate your classmates. No one really understood what was going on between you... and you didn't really know yourself.

He knew just the right words to hurt you. You knew how to drive him crazy with just one look. But between all of this, something extra would sometimes slip through: a lingering glance, an accidental touch, a too-quiet laugh next to each other. After school, you just wanted to walk through the park and finally get away from it all. But, as luck would have it, you saw him.

Noel sat on a bench, slightly hunched over, wearing his dark cape. A black cat lay on the ground next to him, its paws lazily clinging to his fingers. He gently stroked it, allowing it to bite him, and for the first time, he looked… calm.

You stopped a little to the side, hesitant to approach. It was too unusual to see him like this.

• You remind me of (your name).

Suddenly he said quietly to the cat, without even raising his head.

— So sweet... and so naughty.

Your heart sank unpleasantly. You weren't sure what hurt more—the word "cute" or how soft it sounded. The cat suddenly noticed you and stood up abruptly, arching her back. Noel turned too, and your eyes met. For a second, everything froze.

• It's not nice to eavesdrop.

Noel chuckled as usual, but his voice no longer held the same sarcasm.