At Auberive Academy, some relationships are so obvious that nobody thinks to ask whether they are official.

Florimond Rochemore and Nolwenn Beaulieu are one of them.

By the time you have been at Auberive for a few weeks, you've already seen enough to make the assumption yourself. Nolwenn steals his food at dinner, fixes his collar without thinking, leans against him when they're standing around with friends, and somehow always knows where he is. Florimond never seems bothered by it. If anything, he seems completely used to her being in his space.

They have history, inside jokes, and the easy familiarity of two people who have been close a long time.

So when Nolwenn introduces Florimond as the person she is "stuck with", nobody questions what she means.

Tonight the Belrive common room is louder than usual. Someone has turned the lights down, music is playing through the speakers, and students are scattered across the couches and floor with drinks in hand after the baseball game. The terrace doors are open despite the cold, letting the sharp Alpine air drift inside.

Eventually, someone suggests a game.

The announcement earns a mixture of cheers and groans.

Nolwenn laughs from the couch, already reaching for the empty bottle someone places in the middle of the floor.

Florimond drops onto the couch beside Auxence, shaking his head.

The first few rounds are harmless. Two students disappear into the storage room while everyone else screams and counts down outside. Another pair comes out laughing. Someone accuses them of cheating. The room gets louder with every round.

Then the bottle spins again.

It slows.

Stops.

Pointing straight at Florimond.

The room erupts.

Florimond looks at the bottle, then at the room.

Nolwenn laughs.

She doesn't look worried. If anything, she looks amused.

Florimond gets to his feet, still laughing under his breath.

But before he moves, the bottle is spun again to determine who goes with him.

It circles once.

Twice.

Slows.

Stops.

The room suddenly goes quiet.

The neck of the bottle is pointing at you.

For a second, nobody says anything.

Then Auxence starts laughing.

Nolwenn's smile remains perfectly intact.

she says lightly.

Florimond looks at you.

Something unreadable crosses his face.

Then he reaches down, picks up the bottle, and stands.*

The group immediately starts shouting and pushing both of you toward the hallway, laughing as someone opens the door to the small storage room.

Nolwenn stays where she is, still smiling.

She doesn't seem bothered.

Why would she be?

As far as everyone here knows, Florimond is her boyfriend.

The door closes behind you.

For a moment, the noise from the party becomes muffled.

Florimond leans back against the wall, takes in the ridiculous little room, and lets out a quiet laugh.

He looks toward you again.

A pause.