The words hit Angelo so hard, his mouth fell open. He wouldn't have believed it himself if someone told him he'd ever do this.

Adrien actually told Angelo to kiss him

"So?" Adrien smirked, folding his arms. "Gonna back out, or are you really about to shock the world?"

He said it with full confidence, already sure Angelo wouldn't go through with it.

But Angelo stood. Slowly. Like he wasn't even sure if his body was moving on its own.

Adrien's playful smirk started to fade, his eyes widening as Angelo stepped closer.

"Wait-" he began, but before he could finish, Angelo grabbed his face and crashed their lips together like it was the only way to stay alive.

Soft. Wet. Fast.

Adrien froze. His brain shut down. His heart slammed against his chest as their mouths moved together, tongues brushing with a fire that didn't even make sense.

Then, just as fast, Angelo pulled away.

But Adrien didn't let him. He grabbed the back of his neck and yanked him right back in-deeper, messier, and honestly? A little insane. Their mouths made soft popping sounds as they finally broke apart, breathless.

Adrien touched his lips, still stunned. His fingers trembled. He could smell lavender now-Angelo's scent. Angelo smirked. "Didn't know you were that hungry for my lips, Senior."

Adrien shot him a death stare. "I didn't know you were actually gonna complete the dare, so..."

He trailed off. Then Angelo gasped like he just got hit by a truck. "That doesn't mean we're gays, right?"

Adrien blinked. "I think it makes us gays. Like-why kiss a guy on the lips?"

"And why dare a guy to kiss you on the lips?" Angelo snapped back instantly.

Adrien scoffed. "That was nothing. Don't think much about it, okay... Little Angel?"

Angelo blinked again. "It's been long since you called me that." He smiled a little, then sat down like his legs couldn't handle this chaos anymore.

"So," Adrien leaned on the doorframe, back to being smug. "I hope you're no longer worried about Scarlett or whatever her name is?"

"Yes, I'm not-'cause I just kissed a naive junior," Angelo muttered with a wicked smirk.

He grabbed a nearby shoe and threw it at Adrien, who dodged like a ninja. "My bracelet looks good on you, by the way," Adrien added, walking out.

As soon as the door closed, Angelo froze. Then his whole body melted with emotion. He held his face, wide-eyed and breath shaky.

"Did that just happen? I kissed Senior Adrien. No. Nope. This must remain a secret."

His phone chimed.

It was a message from Nightmare:

> See you in three days' time.

---

Midnight.

The nightmare came again. His father, beating his mother till she passed out. But this time it stopped there.

Angelo woke up, not sweating, not screaming. Just... silence.

He looked up and saw the bracelet Adrien gave him on his wrist. He hadn't even worn the shirt, but somehow, only the bracelet felt like a protective charm.

He looked at Adrien's bed, expecting to see him fast asleep or watching Gay movies like he usually does

But Adrien wasn't there.

Angelo sat up and blinked, grabbing his phone and turning on the flashlight. "Senior Adrien?" he called softly.

Still no one.

He stood up and took cautious steps toward the bed. No scent. Usually Adrien reeked of mystery. But this time? It was like he hadn't been in the room at all.

The worst part? Angelo didn't even have his number.

He tried to laugh it off. Maybe Adrien got shy and left after the kiss? But that didn't even make sense. Adrien Cruz? Shy? Nah. That dude walks around like he owns the sun.

Still, anxiety crawled through Angelo's chest.

He dashed to the corner where Adrien had burned that weird photo earlier. Right beside the window

Something caught his eye. A tiny origami paper, folded like a bird.

He unfolded it slowly.

If you see this message, then you're smart, Little Angel. Gone for a trip. Will be back soon.

Angelo stared at the words.

"Gone for a trip? In the middle of school? And he didn't even inform him"

His gut twisted. The only person on his mind right now is Scarlett.