Chapter 18

Dunk Natachai

Santa and I walk side by side toward the engineering building, the chaos from earlier still echoing in my head. I shake my head, laughing to myself.

"Man, our friends are actual menaces," I say, adjusting my bag strap.

Santa grins. "You're just realizing that now?"

"No, I've known for years. I just like reminding myself."

He chuckles, nodding in agreement. "Aou's definitely holding a grudge after that whole 'little cloud' thing."

"You deserve that, by the way," I say, smirking. "You and Boom went in for the kill."

Santa shrugs. "If you have a chance to make fun of Aou, you take it. No hesitation."

I snort. "Fair enough."

The campus is still busy, students moving between buildings, some rushing to class, others taking their time. The weather is nice today—sunny but not unbearably hot. We weave through the crowd, heading toward the engineering hall.

"So, what class do we have again?" Santa asks.

"Mechanical systems," I remind him.

He groans. "Ugh, why did I pick this major?"

"Because you like building stuff?"

Santa sighs. "Yeah, and because Perth said engineers are hot."

I make a disgusted face. "Oh my god."

He grins like an idiot. "What? It worked in my favor."

I roll my eyes. "You're embarrassing."

"You love me."

"Not as much as Perth does, unfortunately," I mutter.

Santa cackles. "So true."

We step into the engineering building, the AC immediately cooling my skin. The hallway is filled with students rushing to class, some staring at their laptops as they walk, trying to finish assignments at the last second.

Santa nudges me. "You think Nani's okay?"

I glance at him, surprised by the sudden shift in topic. "Yeah," I say after a pause. "I think he's doing better."

"You don't sound sure."

I sigh. "I mean, I get why he left. And I get why he doesn't want to talk to all of us yet. But it still sucks, you know?"

Santa nods. "Yeah. At least Dew and Win are keeping tabs on him."

"Yeah." I hesitate before adding, "Sky's an idiot."

Santa bursts out laughing. "That's not even related, but I agree."

I roll my eyes. "I'm just saying. Nani's been in love with him for years, and Sky just—ugh."

Santa pats my shoulder. "If it helps, May's existence is probably gonna make him realize how bad he messed up."

I groan. "Why does she even exist?"

Santa shrugs. "Every friend group needs a common enemy."

I chuckle. "Fair enough."

We reach our classroom, and before I push the door open, Santa claps a hand on my shoulder. "If I ever date someone annoying, promise me you'll hit me."

I raise an eyebrow. "Santa, you are the annoying one in the relationship."

He gapes at me. "Excuse me?!"

I push the door open, smirking as I walk inside. "Come on, little cloud. Time to learn about mechanical systems."

And before I could even get to my seat, Santa lunges at me.

-----------------

Class ends, and I stretch my arms over my head, trying to shake off the stiffness from sitting too long. Santa's already packing up beside me, humming to himself as he shoves his books into his bag.

"Joong said he's picking us up," I tell him, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "He's probably waiting outside."

"Good," Santa sighs. "I don't feel like walking in this heat."

We step out into the hallway, and that's when I see him.

Sky.

He's leaning against the wall near the exit, scrolling on his phone, but I know he's not really reading whatever's on the screen. He looks... tired. More than usual. Dark circles under his eyes, his posture slightly slouched. For someone who used to walk around with that easy confidence, he looks like he's carrying something heavy now.

I don't know why I even stop. It's not like I have anything to say to him. But still—

"You good?" The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

Sky glances up, startled for a second, before scoffing. "Why wouldn't I be?"

I raise an eyebrow. "You tell me."

His jaw tightens, and for a second, it looks like he might actually say something real. But then he just shrugs. "I'm fine."

Yeah. Sure.

Santa, standing beside me, is very obviously not paying attention. He's too busy texting Perth, probably begging him to buy snacks or something.

The door to the building swings open, and Joong steps inside, scanning the crowd before his eyes land on me. "Dunk! Santa! Let's go."

Sky looks between us, his expression unreadable, but I don't stick around to figure it out. I walk past him, but right before I reach the door, I pause.

"You really messed up this time, huh?" I say over my shoulder.

Sky doesn't say anything. He just stares at me, something flickering in his eyes—frustration? Guilt? Maybe both. But I don't wait to find out.

Santa bounces ahead of me, already chattering to Joong about something completely unrelated, and I let the conversation pull me away.

We step outside, and the sun is blinding, the heat wrapping around us like a second skin. Joong ruffles my hair as we reach his car, and Santa immediately claims shotgun, leaving me to climb into the back.

As Joong starts the engine, I glance out the window.

Sky is still standing there.

Still stuck.

And for the first time, I realize—maybe he doesn't even know how to move forward.

But that's not my problem.

I lean back against the seat, shaking off the thought.

Sky's the only one who can fix this.

If he even wants to.