Chapter 4

 Luca found himself at the secluded spot behind the school, where he often retreated to be alone with his thoughts and a cigarette. He took a deep drag, letting the nicotine calm his nerves as he mulled over the tumultuous events of the day.

 His encounter with Luna in the classroom had left him reeling. Anger and hurt simmered beneath the surface, mingling with a deep-seated desire that he struggled to ignore.

 He knew their relationship was nothing more than a series of fleeting moments, a way to pass the time amidst the rigid confines of their prestigious academy. Yet, despite his best efforts to remain detached, he couldn't deny the ache in his chest whenever he thought of her.

 "She's marrying my brother, damn it!" Luca muttered to himself, his voice rough with frustration. He flicked the cigarette butt away, watching it land in a small pile of autumn leaves. The smoke curled lazily into the cool air, mirroring the haze of uncertainty in his mind.

 He knew Luna better than most. She was an enigma wrapped in layers of composure, never revealing more than she wanted others to see. Her serious demeanor and icy facade were a challenge he had gladly accepted, yet her impending marriage threatened to shatter the delicate balance they had maintained.

 With a bitter twist of irony, Luca acknowledged that Luna was the only woman who had ever truly understood him. In her presence, he felt a rare sense of comfort and camaraderie that he couldn't find elsewhere. But now, their future together seemed destined to unravel. 

 As he stared out at the quiet expanse of the school grounds, Luca wrestled with conflicting emotions. He knew he wouldn't be able to let her go easily. 

 Lost in his thoughts, Luca didn't notice the soft footsteps approaching from behind. A gentle clearing of the throat pulled him out of his reverie. Turning around, he found himself face to face with Lila Madden, the new student whose arrival had stirred whispers throughout Aurelia Academy.