𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓻𝔂❤︎

Chapter 28

The gym was alive with bright lights, pulsing music, and the buzz of excited students dressed in their best outfits. Y/N stood near the entrance, scanning the crowded room, her heart racing in time with the beat. She was still reeling from her confrontation with Mr. Le earlier, but tonight was supposed to be a night of fun—or at least, a distraction.

As students danced and laughed around her, Y/N couldn’t help but think about Mr. Le’s words, how he had so calmly dismissed everything between them. It only made her more determined to make him see her differently. The dress she wore tonight was bolder than anything she’d ever worn—sleek, revealing just enough to demand attention. Her hair was styled perfectly, her makeup dramatic. She wanted to make a statement, not just to her classmates but to Mr. Le, if he happened to show up.

Just as she was about to lose herself in the crowd, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Harvey, wearing a smirk that suggested he was up to something.

“Y/N! Looking good,” Harvey said, raising an eyebrow as he looked her up and down. “You’re really going all out tonight, huh?”

Y/N gave him a small smile, not in the mood for his usual teasing. “Yeah, I guess. Just trying something new.”

Harvey chuckled, leaning in conspiratorially. “So... you think Mr. Le’s actually gonna show up? He was acting real weird in class today when I asked him.”

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Mr. Le. “I don’t know... maybe.” She tried to sound casual, but the thought of seeing him tonight made her both anxious and excited.

Harvey grinned, clearly amused. “You’ve got a crush on him, don’t you? I knew it. You’re always staring at him in class.”

Y/N’s face flushed, and she quickly looked away. “What? No, I don’t,” she lied, her voice too defensive to be convincing.

Harvey laughed, nudging her playfully. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Y/N. But if he does show up, you better shoot your shot.”

Before Y/N could respond, the music shifted, and a slow song started playing. The lights dimmed, and couples began pairing up for the dance. Y/N watched them for a moment, her thoughts once again drifting back to Mr. Le. Would he really show up? Did he feel anything at all, or was it all in her head?

As the song played on, Y/N found herself wandering toward the side of the gym, away from the dance floor. The weight of everything was beginning to settle on her, and she needed a moment to breathe.

But just as she reached the quieter side of the room, she felt a presence behind her. She turned around—and there he was.

Mr. Le stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, his dark clothes making him almost blend into the shadows. His mask was still in place, but even with it on, Y/N could feel the intensity of his gaze. He wasn’t supposed to be here, and yet, here he was.

“Mr. Le?” Y/N whispered, her voice barely audible over the music.

He didn’t say anything for a moment, just looked at her, his arms crossed. Finally, he spoke, his tone as laid-back as always. “You’re full of surprises, yeah?”

Y/N’s heart pounded in her chest as she walked closer to him. “What are you doing here?”

Mr. Le shrugged, his eyes never leaving hers. “Just keeping an eye on things. Didn’t think you’d be here either, after earlier.”

Y/N bit her lip, trying to find the right words. “I needed to clear my head.”

Mr. Le nodded, though his expression remained unreadable behind the mask. “And you thought homecoming was the place to do that?”

Y/N could feel the tension between them, the unspoken words from earlier still hanging in the air. She didn’t know what she was hoping for, but now that he was here, she felt like this was her chance.

She took a deep breath and stepped closer to him, her voice soft but determined. “I’m not going to pretend anymore, Mr. Le. I want you to see me... not just as your student.”

Mr. Le’s posture stiffened slightly, and for the first time, he seemed genuinely conflicted. He let out a long sigh. “Y/N, this isn’t—”

Before he could finish, Y/N cut him off. “You keep telling me it’s not real, but it is. I know it is. You can’t just keep ignoring it.”

Mr. Le was silent for a long moment, and when he finally spoke, his voice was softer, almost regretful. “You don’t understand, Y/N. There are things you don’t know—about me, about this situation.”

Y/N’s heart ached at his words, but she didn’t back down. “Then help me understand. Tell me why you’re here, why you even care if nothing’s supposed to happen between us.”

Mr. Le glanced around, making sure no one was watching, before turning his attention back to her. “I’m here because it’s my job to look out for my students, yeah? And you... you’re making it hard for me to do that.”

Y/N’s breath hitched. “Maybe it’s because you feel the same way.”

Mr. Le didn’t respond immediately, but the silence that followed said more than words could. After a few moments, he straightened up and gave her a small, almost sad smile beneath his mask. “Go enjoy your night, Y/N. You deserve it.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Y/N standing there, her heart in her throat and her mind racing with a million unanswered questions.