MELTING: Set him on Fire

"Let go, Sia. We're just friends." Ice's voice was sharp, each word carrying the weight of his frustration. His anger crackled beneath his tone.

They stood in the quiet back corner of the university garden, the place rarely visited by others. Perhaps that's why it felt like the right spot for such an awkward moment.

"But I like you, Ice." Sia's arms tightened around him, her voice trembling.

Ice stood frozen, his hands raised in a gesture of discomfort, his face set in irritation.

"I'm not interested in any relationship," he snapped, his words biting. "You're the council's vice president. That's why I've been trying to be professional with you."

Sia tilted her head back, eyes wide, as she looked up at him. "But... am I not special to you? You always talk to me so kindly."

Ice's mind screamed in frustration. This is why I hate being kind to people.

"No," he said firmly, pushing her away, his voice harder now. "Get off me. Now. Before you regret it."

Sia opened her mouth to speak, but Ice's command cut through the air like a whip.

"Off."

The single word held an undeniable weight, the authority behind it leaving no room for argument.

Sia hesitated, fear flickering in her eyes. It was too much. She could feel the chill in his voice, something far stronger than the usual kindness he had shown. The pressure of his words was enough to snap her out of her emotions. In an instant, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she took a step back. Her eyes welled up, and without another word, she ran.

Ice stood still, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the distance as he exhaled deeply. His eyes scanned the small garden. On the left, a hallway led toward the main corridor. It was a quiet place, with classrooms long abandoned, now used for storage. The hallway was decorated with large potted plants, and it stretched to the back alley of the campus.

"You can leave now." Ice's voice echoed through the empty space, his command hanging in the air. 

"I already saw you, Transferee." His words came out in a low hiss—mocking, but not annoyed. He wasn't bothered, really, except for the fact that the girl eavesdropping on him earlier had gotten on his nerves.

"Didn't your mother teach you that eavesdropping is rude?" Ice casually sat on one of the benches, gazing out at the garden, bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. The flowers swayed gently in the breeze, a sharp contrast to his mood. He couldn't help but feel like he'd just delivered someone's heartbreak in this peaceful scene, but it didn't bother him. Disappointment lingered more than guilt.

Finally, the figure near the large flowerbed shifted. Slowly, she stood, a sheepish smile spreading across her face, her eyes reflecting the hint of guilt. "I was just... walking around," she stammered. "I didn't hear anything."

"Sure," Ice replied with an indifferent shrug, his tone suggesting he cared little.

But as the silence stretched on, Fire's irritation with his dismissive attitude started to boil over. After a deep breath, she mustered the courage to speak, perhaps to challenge him—or maybe to strike back.

"Poor girl," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "She's really pretty. She should have better standards." She plopped down at the other end of the bench, her eyes fixed on him, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Ice didn't respond right away, but a brief, mocking grin played across his face. 

Rude. She thought

"Hey, I thought we were friends?" Fire suddenly shifted the conversation, realizing that making enemies on her first day wasn't a smart move. Her sweet appearance and angelic voice were usually enough to charm anyone into friendship. She wasn't using them for manipulation, though; she simply wanted to be around people who would treat her as an equal. In a foreign land, without family to lean on, she knew that relying on her charm was one of the few resources she had.

"No thanks. I'm not into having girl friends." Ice's words were delivered without even a glance in her direction.

Fire's thoughts raced as she processed the interaction. Ice had just dismissed her in the same way he'd turned away the girl who confessed to him earlier. It seemed clear now that Ice didn't want to end up in another situation like that. At the same time, she felt a sting of offense. Did he just assume I'd like him?

Well, he is cute... but no.

"Don't worry, I won't fall for you!" she declared proudly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Oh yeah?" Ice's lips curved into a playful grin.