"Did you miss me, Sunshine?"

The voice was warm, playful, and far too familiar.

Ava froze.

That voice belonged to one person.

She turned around slowly, and sure enough—there he was.

Eli Seo.

A devilishly handsome nightmare wrapped in a charming smile.

His brown eyes were soft, filled with the kind of affection that only years of friendship could create. His dark hair was effortlessly tousled, and that stupid dimpled smirk was still exactly the same.

He had grown taller, sharper—no longer the mischievous kid who used to steal her snacks but now someone who could make heads turn with ease.

And judging by the way half the girls in the hallway were already staring at him, it was clear he hadn’t lost his charm.

Jae Min-Seok Was Having a Bad Day.

It started fine.

Ava insulted him twice, threw a pencil at him once, and almost smiled at him during lunch—so a normal day.

Then suddenly, there was this guy.

This too-handsome, too-charming, too-close guy.

And Ava?

She wasn’t just happy to see him.

She launched herself at him.

Jae felt something in his chest tighten uncomfortably.

He watched—glared, really—as Eli effortlessly lifted Ava off the ground, spinning her like they were in some cheesy romance drama.

Worse?

She laughed.

Not her usual smirks. Not the smug grins she gave him.

A full, genuine laugh.

Jae’s jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists.

Who the hell was this guy?

"I Knew You’d Miss Me."

Eli set Ava down, still grinning. "You didn’t even text me when you transferred. I had to hear it from your aunt. Unbelievable."

Ava rolled her eyes. "You’ve been gone for a year, Eli. What was I supposed to do? Send you a daily love letter?"

Eli placed a dramatic hand over his heart. "That would’ve been nice, actually. I was waiting."

Ava snorted. "Loser."

Eli winked. "Your loser."

Jae?

Jae was seconds away from throwing something.

"Who’s This?"

Jae didn’t mean to speak.

But before he could stop himself, the words were out of his mouth.

Ava turned toward him, blinking in surprise. "Oh. Right. Jae, meet Eli—"

Eli’s grin widened. "Her best friend. And you are?"

Jae’s entire body stiffened.

He didn’t like that introduction. At all.

Before Jae could answer, Mina burst onto the scene, phone in hand.

"OH MY GOD. WHO IS THIS GORGEOUS HUMAN?!"

Eli smirked. "Wow. I’ve been here five minutes, and I’m already famous. I like this school."

Mina was literally swooning. "Ava, why have you been hiding him from us?!"

Ava rolled her eyes. "Because you’re embarrassing."

Meanwhile, Jae was dangerously silent.

This was not okay.

This Eli guy was too close. Too comfortable.

And worst of all?

Ava wasn’t pushing him away.

Jae Min-Seok Was Furious.

But he couldn’t do anything about it.

Because Eli wasn’t like the other guys.

Jae couldn’t intimidate him.
Couldn’t glare him into submission.
Couldn’t pull his usual possessive tricks.

Because Eli had something Jae didn’t.

History.

And that drove him insane.

As Ava walked away, still laughing at something Eli said, Jae felt one thing burning in his chest.

Jealousy.

And for the first time in his life, he had no idea what to do about it.