🌹 THE ROSEGLID INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Episode 12 — "Almost"
At
Roseglid International High School
some moments weren't meant to happen.
But they did anyway.
Morning started like any other.
But something felt different.
Subtle.
Unseen.
In Section F—
the noise was still there.
Blake arguing.
Kai laughing.
Jett being dramatic.
Noah typing.
But between
Damien Alexander Sinclair
and
Ashylene Rae Valyne
something had shifted.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
But there.
Ash walked in.
Same confidence.
Same energy.
"Morning, losers," she said.
Blake pointed. "We need a better nickname."
"Earn one," she replied.
She sat beside Damien.
Like always.
But today—
she didn't say anything to him.
And that—
felt louder than words.
Damien noticed.
Of course he did.
But he didn't react.
Didn't look.
Didn't speak.
Because if he did—
he might say something he couldn't take back.
And that wasn't part of the plan.
Noah glanced between them.
Again.
Still noticing.
Always noticing.
Class started.
Ignored.
Ash tapped her pen.
Stopped.
Started again.
Restless.
"…this is boring," she muttered.
Noah replied without looking up.
"Consistency breeds boredom."
She sighed.
"Then I hate consistency."
Damien almost smiled.
Almost.
But he didn't.
Because even that felt dangerous now.
Lunch came.
The cafeteria was louder today.
More whispers.
More eyes.
Ash walked in.
Didn't slow down.
Didn't care.
Or pretended not to.
She sat with Section F.
Blake slid a tray toward her.
"Peace offering part two."
She looked at it.
"…you're trying too hard."
"Working?" he asked.
She took a bite.
"…a little."
Laughter.
Kai leaned back.
"You're getting soft."
Ash pointed at him.
"Say that again and I'll prove you wrong."
Jett grinned.
"Please do. I want entertainment."
Damien watched.
Not joining.
Not speaking.
Just watching.
Because every time she laughed—
it felt real.
Too real.
And that didn't match the file.
Or maybe—
it did.
He didn't know anymore.
After lunch—
the school buzzed with something new.
A festival announcement.
Posters going up.
Lights being tested.
Energy shifting.
Blake ran into class.
"Festival next week!"
Kai jumped up.
"Finally something useful."
Jett added, "We're winning everything."
Ash leaned back.
"…this should be fun."
Noah typed something.
"High probability of chaos."
"Perfect," Ash said.
Damien looked at her.
Festival.
Crowds.
Distractions.
Opportunities.
His mind started working again.
Plan.
Focus.
Control.
But something in his chest—
didn't align.
Evening.
The Rose Bridge again.
Like always.
Ash stood there.
Looking at the water.
Quiet.
Footsteps approached.
She didn't turn.
"You're becoming a habit," she said.
Damien stopped beside her.
"You're already one," he replied.
She smirked.
"Careful. That sounded honest."
Silence.
But not empty.
Different.
The sun dipped lower.
Golden light reflecting on the river.
Soft.
Calm.
For once—
neither of them ruined it.
Ash leaned slightly on the railing.
"You ever think about not thinking?" she said.
He glanced at her.
"No."
"You should try it."
"Sounds inefficient."
She laughed softly.
And that—
did something to him.
Something small.
But real.
He looked at her.
Really looked.
And for a second—
everything else disappeared.
The plan.
The file.
The past.
Just her.
Standing there.
Close.
Too close.
She turned her head slightly.
Their eyes met.
And this time—
neither looked away.
The air shifted.
Slower.
He stepped closer.
Without thinking.
Without planning.
Just—
moving.
She didn't step back.
Didn't move.
Just watched him.
Careful.
Curious.
"What are you doing?" she asked quietly.
He didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
Not fully.
His hand lifted slightly.
Paused.
Then—
moved toward her face.
Slow.
Like he was giving her time to stop him.
But she didn't.
Didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Just—
stayed.
Close enough to feel his breath.
Close enough to hear her heartbeat.
Fast.
Too fast.
His fingers brushed lightly against her cheek.
Warm.
Real.
And for a second—
everything stopped.
Then—
she inhaled sharply.
And stepped back.
Just enough to break it.
The moment shattered.
Silence rushed in.
Heavy.
Unspoken.
She looked away first.
"…don't," she said quietly.
He froze.
"Don't what?"
"Make things complicated."
Too late.
He didn't say it.
But they both knew.
He stepped back.
Distance again.
Safe.
Controlled.
But it didn't feel the same anymore.
Because now—
they knew what was there.
Even if they didn't say it.
Ash exhaled slowly.
"…this is exactly why I don't like calm," she muttered.
He almost smiled again.
Almost.
But instead—
he looked away.
Because if he didn't—
he might forget everything else.
And he couldn't afford that.
Not now.
Not with everything he knew.
The file.
The truth.
Her past.
Still sitting between them.
Unspoken.
Untouched.
And dangerous.
His phone buzzed.
He didn't check it.
Didn't need to.
Because nothing mattered more than this moment.
Or maybe—
that was the problem.
Ash stepped back again.
Creating more space.
"I should go," she said.
He nodded.
Didn't stop her.
Didn't try.
Because he didn't trust himself to.
She turned.
Walked away.
Slower than usual.
And for once—
he didn't follow.
He just stood there.
Watching her go.
Again.
But this time—
it didn't feel like part of the plan.
It felt like something slipping.
Something he wasn't ready to lose.
Even if he didn't understand it yet.
Far away—
hidden in the shadows—
the hooded figure stood again.
Phone raised.
Recording.
The almost.
The hesitation.
The crack.
A message sent.
"He's falling."
Another.
"Time to break her."
🌹 END OF EPISODE 12