"U-uh, I—"

"You still love him, don’t you?" Rafayel asked softly, his voice calm but heavy with understanding. He nodded in resignation, his gaze fixed on the untouched smoothie in front of him. "Getting over someone... it takes time, and a lot of effort."

"You’re right, Rafayel." I shrugged, trying to keep my tone light, though his words hit a little too close to home.

"I understand," Rafayel said simply, taking a long sip of his smoothie as though trying to drown his own thoughts.

"But... why are you asking me this all of a sudden?" I turned to look at him, searching his face for answers. He didn’t meet...