THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT BOY

PRESENT TIME

Nova smirked, shaking off the memories. “I’m always okay,” he replied smoothly.

Russ gave him a shy smile, shifting nervously on his feet. “Good. Uh… about last night…”

Nova leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes locked on Russ. “Yeah?”

Russ scratched the back of his neck, looking anywhere but directly at Nova. “I didn’t freak you out or anything, right? I know I kind of—”“You didn’t,” Nova interrupted, his voice calm. “But you caught me off guard.”

Russ blinked, surprised by the admission.

“Oh.”Nova stood, effortlessly closing the distance between them, his presence overwhelming as always. He wasn’t one to shy away from anything, and this was no different. He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against Russ’s hand, just enough to send a shiver up the other boy’s spine.

Russ’s face turned bright red again, and Nova found himself amused. Russ was cute. He was exactly the kind of person Nova liked—soft, sweet, easy to fluster. It was fun. And yet, for some reason, Nova felt like there was more to it than just fun this time.

“Why me?” Nova asked, his voice lower now, genuinely curious. “You could’ve liked anyone. Why’d you confess to me?”Russ swallowed hard, his eyes finally meeting Nova’s. “Because… you’re you. You’re amazing. I’ve never met anyone like you, Nova.”

Nova tilted his head slightly. It was true—there wasn’t anyone like him. But still, people didn’t usually fall in love with him. They were obsessed, infatuated, or drawn to his looks, power, or fame. Love, though? That was different. Nova had never felt it, never needed to.Yet, looking at Russ, there was something pulling him in, something he couldn’t quite put into words.

Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was just another new experience for him to explore.Or maybe, for the first time, someone saw him as more than just perfection.

Nova leaned in closer, his breath brushing against Russ’s ear. “You’re not going to regret this, are you?” he whispered.

Russ shivered, his whole body reacting to Nova’s proximity. “No. I could never regret liking you.”

A smirk played on Nova’s lips. He was used to control, used to being in charge of every situation. But something about this felt different, like maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t completely in control anymore. And that… intrigued him.“Good,” Nova said softly, pulling back just enough to look into Russ’s eyes. “Because I don’t do things halfway.”

Russ smiled nervously, but there was a spark of excitement in his eyes too. “I know.”As the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Nova didn’t move.

He didn’t need to go to class anyway. He was too busy figuring out what this new feeling was—a feeling he hadn’t expected, didn’t understand, but was willing to explore.

Maybe he didn’t believe in love. Maybe he didn’t need it. But with Russ, something was different.

And Nova always followed where the thrill led him.