Love's Flames

terviewed the prodigy I had secretly

ed him, "Did you break up with the most admired girl

inish, I fell ri

p to find the prodigy star

er what you di

wel

composure after a long pause. "You

acci

the blanket slipped down, revealing wo

se also a

collarbone and noticed the bi

nt dark. "Di

cour

easant as a mountain stream, carr

ce was calmly lis

ked why I broke up with Ariella, grabbed my collar, cursed

inting his eyes with a

.. fierc

forced to recall the

ol tolerance has

resolved mystery from three years ago-why Jaxon and the most admire

did Jaxon r

dache from my hangover, and

one had left, leaving ju

and leaned in to ask Jaxon, "Back then, you and A

t didn'

d as a spring, were as obscure as a

nose almost touching his. "Did you bre

n suddenl

aying in a low, husky voice, "If you really wa

y scent mingled with the alcohol, and

at his collar. "L

I met Jaxon's eyes, which we

oo late to re

tending and l

ults here; it

classmates. Just pretend it never hap

me" look on my face that threatened Jaxon. He tu

regre

off, and I didn'

t, at least I got my a

sore waist

have broken up due to i

n and I were dressed and

enly called, asking, "Didn't you say you

g for your draft

e is

space, her voice w

tively glanced to the side, mee

he he

it to you when I get b

d myself to explain to Jaxon, "I didn

u have to

t his eyes lacked any warm

ok out his phone, and

ond, a call

f the name flashing

wered the call, and list

loor and the doors opened, he finally sp

he hu

s since th

ble perso

e you

heart, leaving me breathless. I rushed out of the elevato

heard Jaxon's calm voice, "Wait

m walk into the p

ine and handed it to me. "Remember to take the me

idening, my face turning red and

Jaxon u

sighed, and said softly

n't you say your he

nt for swelling and br

t, and when I realized, m

g posture... he h

o take care of, so I have to

messaging app and phone number. Cont

ine, watching him leave, ge

d at my face through the car window, like a

this incident never happened, as if l

then took out the box of ibuprofen,

n, the academic pr

nked first in my class, leading to a seamless transition int

ous awards. By my junior year, I had already published my first paper in a prestigiou

racter, I was a

arship, as the class president, I took it u

astronaut figurine, which st

call from my close friend, Elsie. "Hey

.. y

ething. I hastily explained, "We were the last

attend the party, told me that Jaxon was there because he w

ut something came up at the lab, so she coul

idn't come. I know you d

y recall the call Jaxon received fr

e settled

ing to do, I'l

me a message on Whatsapp:

arse; you should take some

d didn't reply, tossing my

s had it out for me, finding

of confronting her directly. But Ariella was relentless, and ou

ogether, I deliberately k

t three chapters and the outline of

, "This plot... see

ou usually write

ing new. I had the insp

de and lay on the bed, staring at the

by the ringin

on's voice came through the l

uh

g through the peephole. Jaxon stood outside in a white shirt

bumping into the corner of the

's voice, now carrying a hint of urgenc

I hung up the call

oes, and followed me to the living room,

r voice didn't sound right this mornin

ways this

tive lips under the bright

red a cup and handed me two c

ead glaring at him. "How

smiled, his lips curling a

graduation certifica

ly reme

year, which coincided with the graduation ceremony. I missed my own

nd had to ask Jaxon, as the class

capsules, exhaling as I looked at Jaxon.

iel

She went bac

ou want t

flawless, his gaz

her absence at the part

ed to worry about her," J

e back then. It's been a year since graduation

. I

before settling back on me. "Reme

ve anythi

n caught me

N

rig

there's nothing el

watched him turn and walk to the en

napped me out of my daze, and I

lickered swiftly, and

d he come

bring me

t nec

d brushing against my face. I gripped the doorknob, staring blank

lt from his own excellence, appear

illiance, and I watched as he le

, he could still easily stir my

ingness rising in my heart, eventually

t be like this. You