🌹 THE ROSEGLID INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Episode 15 — "Stay"
At
Roseglid International High School
the morning after the festival felt louder than any fireworks.
Because everyone knew.
Or at least—
everyone suspected.
Section F was unusually energetic.
Blake slammed his hands on the desk. "GOOD MORNING TO THE COUPLE—"
"Finish that sentence and you're dead," Ash said instantly.
Yes—
Ashylene Rae Valyne
was not her usual self.
She walked in.
Sat down.
Avoided eye contact.
Didn't roast anyone properly.
That alone?
Historic.
Kai leaned toward Jett. "…she's shy."
Jett whispered back, "Write the date down."
Noah observed quietly.
"Behavioral shift confirmed."
At the back—
Damien Alexander Sinclair
watched her.
And smirked.
Just slightly.
Because he noticed.
Everything.
Ash kept her eyes on her desk.
Tapping her pen.
Not looking at him.
Not even once.
"…you're ignoring me," Damien said calmly.
She didn't look up.
"No, I'm focusing."
"On what?"
"…anything but you."
The class went silent.
Blake whispered, "Oh this is better than Netflix."
Damien leaned back in his chair.
Still watching her.
"Last night wasn't nothing," he said.
That made her freeze.
Just for a second.
Then she stood up suddenly.
"I need air."
And walked out.
Fast.
Damien didn't wait.
He followed.
The corridor was empty.
Ash stood near the window.
Arms crossed.
Looking anywhere but at him.
"Running again?" he asked.
"I'm not running."
"Then look at me."
Silence.
She didn't.
He stepped closer.
"Look at me, Ash."
That tone—
low.
Firm.
She turned.
Finally.
Eyes meeting his.
And for a second—
everything from last night came back.
The fireworks.
The kiss.
The way he looked at her.
Her heartbeat sped up instantly.
"…don't," she said quietly.
"Don't what?"
"Make it real."
That hit.
Because it already was.
He stepped closer.
"You think it wasn't?" he asked.
She shook her head slightly.
"…it shouldn't be."
"Why?"
"Because things like that don't last."
He was close now.
Too close.
"Then let's find out," he said.
Her breath hitched slightly.
"…you're annoying."
"And you're still here."
They were inches apart.
Tension thick.
She didn't move away.
But she didn't move closer either.
Balance.
Dangerous balance.
He exhaled softly.
Then—
"Come with me after school."
She blinked.
"…where?"
"My place."
Silence.
"…your place?" she repeated.
"Yes."
"That's suspicious."
"It's an invitation."
She narrowed her eyes.
"…why?"
He held her gaze.
"Because I want you there."
Simple.
Direct.
Dangerous.
She hesitated.
For a second—
logic fought instinct.
Then—
"…fine," she said.
And walked past him.
But her heartbeat?
Still racing.
Evening came faster than expected.
Ash stood outside a massive modern house.
Clean lines. Glass walls. Minimalistic but powerful.
"…of course you live here," she muttered.
The door opened.
Damien leaned against the frame.
"You coming in or judging from outside?"
She walked in.
"…I can do both."
Inside—
it was quiet.
Too quiet.
"No one's home?" she asked.
"They rarely are."
She nodded slowly.
"…makes sense."
He watched her as she looked around.
Taking everything in.
"You're not impressed," he said.
"I am," she replied. "I just won't admit it."
He smirked.
"Liar."
She turned to him.
"Maybe."
Silence settled.
Different from before.
Less guarded.
More… aware.
Time passed.
They talked.
Not deeply.
Not fully.
But enough.
About random things.
School.
Section F.
Stupid arguments.
And somehow—
it felt easy.
Too easy.
By the time Ash checked her phone—
it was late.
"…I should go," she said.
He glanced at the time.
"It's past midnight."
She paused.
"…oh."
Silence.
Then—
"Stay."
One word.
But heavy.
She looked at him.
"…you're really testing my decision-making skills."
"Stay," he repeated.
Her eyes searched his.
For intent.
For something wrong.
But all she found—
was calm.
And something else.
Something she didn't want to name.
"…fine," she said.
His room was simple.
Dark tones.
Clean.
Ash stood near the door.
Arms crossed.
"This is weird," she muttered.
"You agreed."
"I regret it."
"You don't."
She rolled her eyes.
But didn't leave.
He walked closer.
Slow.
Deliberate.
She didn't step back.
But her breath changed.
Slightly.
"You're quiet again," he said.
"You make it difficult not to be."
"Good."
She frowned.
"…why good?"
"Because I like seeing you like this."
That hit.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…you're enjoying this."
"Maybe."
He was close now.
Too close.
The air shifted again.
Same tension.
Same pull.
Different setting.
More dangerous.
Her back brushed lightly against the wall.
She didn't move.
Didn't stop him.
Didn't speak.
"Still want to leave?" he asked softly.
"…no," she admitted.
That was it.
That moment.
His hand lifted—
resting lightly against the wall beside her.
Trapping her.
Not forcefully.
But enough.
Her heartbeat was loud now.
Too loud.
"Say it again," he said.
"…no."
He smiled slightly.
Then leaned closer—
Their faces inches apart.
Breath mixing.
Eyes locked.
But this time—
he didn't rush.
Didn't close the distance.
Just stayed there.
Letting the moment stretch.
Letting her feel it.
Every second.
Every heartbeat.
"…you're dangerous," she whispered.
"You said that before."
"And I meant it."
He leaned closer—
almost—
But stopped.
Right there.
Not touching.
Just enough to drive her crazy.
She exhaled sharply.
"…you're doing that on purpose."
"Yes."
She pushed his shoulder lightly.
"Idiot."
But she smiled.
Just a little.
And that—
was enough.
Outside—
the night stayed quiet.
Inside—
everything changed again.
Far away—
in the shadows—
the hooded figure watched.
A message sent.
"She's attached."
Another.
"Next move ends it."
🌹 END OF EPISODE 15