Chapter Text
6 years earlier..
"What—Pow— You're leaving?!" He almost forgot how to breathe for a second.
Why was she moving?
To France of all places?
That was practically oceans away....
"It's not like they want me here anyway!"
"So you're moving to another country!? What about Vi? Vander?" ... What about me?
"UGH — You don't get it, Ekko," Ekko could see tears forming in her eyes.
She looked away, shoulders curling inward— She looked smaller than he'd ever seen her.
Her breath hitched in uneven bursts, like every inhale hurt.
God — did it hurt Ekko seeing her like this.
"Y-you don't know what it's like, okay? I'm tired of being a burden, tired of being blamed for everything.. Hearing Mylo say I ruin everything. Every. Single. Time.... I-I try so hard.. So hard. Not to fuck things up. But I do. I always do. I always jinx it."
"I-it's better like this.. I'm a Jinx. I'm Jinx," She said, voice all wobbly and shaky. Ekko's heart cracked a bit at the sight.
"Pow.. You're not some curse. You never were one," He said, unsure of what to do. What could he do?
"Well, I am. Mylo said so. And he's right. I fuck everything up...." She said, rubbing her eyes hard.
"Mylo.. Doesn't know what he's talking about."
Jinx forced out a laugh.
"Hah. Tell that to Vi. And Claggor's science project I blew up by accident..... Look, it's always me. Jinx, a bad omen, that's what I am."
"You're not a jinx..to me."
Jinx scoffed.
"To you," She rolled her eyes, then snorted. "Pretty sure the fire alarm disagrees.."
"Yeah, well, at least we got to see Mylo scream like a girl when it went off. And he makes fun of me for sounding like a girl."
Jinx blinked, then let out a watery little giggle..
Pretty.
Even when her face was flushed red, eyes all glassy.
Ekko stared at her for a while, then reaching out to cup her face gently.
"Y'know, you could've told me a little sooner.." Ekko said, ache slipping through his voice.
He couldn't stay mad for too long. Not at her.. Though he was still upset. Really upset.
"You would've stopped me," She shot back.
"And you wouldn't have listened."
Jinx stayed silent.
Because it was true.
She was moving to France for a few years and that was final.
"..Will we see each other again?" Ekko asked hopefully, holding his breath.
Jinx pulled him into a tight hug.
She'd always been more than his best friend— She was his first partner-in-crime, his favourite person, the girl he secretly hoped to grow old with. Even if she went by Jinx now, even if she'd changed in ways he couldn't yet understand, she's still her. Powder or Jinx— it didn't matter. He loved them both, loved her. Losing her.. as dramatic as it sounds, felt like someone had ripped a piece of him away.
She never seemed to notice though, never seemed to notice the way he looked at her, never caught the way his voice softened when it was just the both of them.
"Of course.. We always do. Pinky promise. And when we do, you're getting me Jericho's!"
Ekko chuckled, tears sliding down his face.
"Deal."
And that was it.
That was the last time Ekko saw her — Powder, now Jinx, the last time he saw her smile, saw her cry, the last time he felt her warmth. It was a fading memory, but one he could never let go of. The bitter memory of her leaving him. And yet, he couldn't believe she was gone.. But she was never truly gone... Just out of his reach. He wondered if fate was kind enough to let him see her again.
Until then, he'd wait for her. Searching for her in every crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her blue.
His favourite shade of blue.
Her beautiful, electric blue hair. Her bright blue eyes that always lit up when she laughed. He missed her bubbly laughter too.
He missed her.
He'd just have to trust the universe — unreliable as it was, to bring her back to him.
They had pinky-swore, after all. They'd find each other again.
Someday.
EKKO
Ekko's alarm blared beside him like a banshee screaming into his ear, yanking him out of sleep. He let out a tired groan, face still burried in his pillow, wishing time would reverse itself somehow. Damn. Sleep deprivation was really taking a toll on him. He slammed his alarm off and hauled himself out of bed, stumbling into the bathroom, still half asleep. After a splash of cold water to the face, mind a little clearer, he grabbed his school uniform.
Ekko's relationship with sleep was complicated. He's long accepted the fact he had a doomed sleep schedule, which, was more of a freestyle routine, courtesy of his packed schedule — Hell, he'd be lucky if he could get at least 5 hours of sleep on a school night. Despite running on minimal sleep, he stayed a morning person. And weekends were sacred— they were the only chance for him to sleep in.
His brain was already juggling everything he needed to do before the day even started: finish the physics lab report, prepare for football practise, and carve out time to hangout with his friends. He promised them ( Sera specifically ) that they'd hangout later at their favourite café, where they usually went after school. He liked hanging out with his friends though, even if they could be a pain in ass sometimes — It was the one part of Ekko's day that felt easy.
He put on crisp white button-up with two buttons undone, with a tie hung loosely around his neck. Then he threw the uniform slacks and school's dark blazer, sleeves pushed up to the elbows. He tied his dreads into a loose high tie, letting a few strands falling into place naturally.
"Yeah.. Good enough," Ekko muttered to himself, staring into the mirror.
He didn't give a second thought about his outfit, never mattered much to him anyway.
With headphones dangling casually around his neck, he stepped into the kitchen.
He brewed himself a cup of coffee — strong enough to shake off the sleep, the way he'd always take it. He grabbed the toast off the counter, the one Benzo usually made and left for him before he went out for work. No matter how busy his uncle was, he always made sure his boy had his breakfast before heading out for school, though it wasn't uncommon for his uncle to be outstation or be out before sunrise. Benzo ran a repair shop downtown, steady business, decent money — more than enough for the both of them. He'd be out of town for a few days, starting today, but he never really worried much. He trusts Ekko could handle himself just fine.
Toast still clenched between his teeth, he slung his bag over one shoulder strolled out the door toward his motorcycle.
It was a Kawasaki Z125 Benzo had gifted him for his birthday. His everyday ride to school— or just about anywhere, really.
He slid on his helmet, letting one of his favorite songs fill in the silence.
It was just like any other day.
Predictable.
Routine.
Perfectly in sync with the familiar rhythm of his mornings.
She looks just like a dream, the prettiest girl I've ever seen..
From the cover of a magazine..
In the car, cruising along with you. And my baby,
y'know that I've gotchu..
.. There's something about you...
♪
Song • Something About You ( by: Eyedress, Dent May )
The hallway was its usual mess of noise and motion — echoes of laughter, the sharp squeak of sneakers on polished tiles, lockers slamming shut like claps of thunder echoeing down the halls. Posters for club fairs, sports tryouts and some bright student council campaign was taped out unevenly across the walls, the air carried that weird that weird mix of cheap perfume and morning sweat. Sunlight filtered through high windows, but it didn't do much to make the place look better. It was loud, chaotic even— but to Ekko, it was all just background noise.
With his headphones still on, he moved swiftly through the crowd of students, steps quick as he made his way to his locker.
Ekko was grabbing a few textbooks from his locker, the ones he knew he needed for class later on: Maths, Lit, Chem.... And right after he slammed his locker shut, he heard the familiar chatter of his friends approaching. A grin tugged at his lips. And then bump — a strong arm sideway bumped him, a playful nudge, their usual way of saying hey.
"Took you long enough," Ekko said, falling in step with them.
Scar — His best friend ever since 7th grade. They met during football tryouts, both aiming for the same position — starting quarterback. The two kinda clashed at first: trash talk, one-upping each other, though it was always just friendly rivalry. Scar wasn't really much of a talker — never had been. But his actions always said more than enough. A cocky smirk after striking someone down, a firm pat on the back when Ekko nailed a play, a casual shoulder bump instead of "good job". That was just how he spoke. They formed an unshakable friendship over the years, playful rivalry had turned into trust.
The big guy was the football team's veteran leader — an edge rusher on defense and ready as backup quarterback back if Ekko needed him. He'd always roll his eyes when Ekko and Zeri got into one of their heated play-by-plays — silly heated debates, routes or who screwed up the last touchdown, like he was one sigh away from walking off the field, always done with their rookie nonsense. But he never left. He'd still show up early to warm up with them, hand Zeri her glove whenever she forgot it, still toss Ekko his favourite energy drink after a game — Or tease the life out of Ekko whenever he fumbled or acted too serious sometimes. ( Even though Ekko had to act serious, his lips would always betray with the tiniest smirk )
The Firelights.
Their team, their pride — And always chaotic as hell, but tight-knit where it counted.
Ekko was the captain of the team, the starting quarterback — top dog. The one who sets the bar, on and off the field.
He earned his title through years of practice, and it showed. He made every pass look easy, every run clean. On the field, he was untouchable: tight spirals, perfectly timed handoffs, and the occasional trick play that left defenses guessing. Vi and Claggor were the ones who used to teach him the basics everytime they were on the field. Sure, his mechanics were cleaner now, his passes sharp — but everytime he lined up behind the center, he could still hear Vi shouting tips from the sidelines.
He owed a lot to Vi — she was the one who taught him how to taught him how to throw tricky spin passes, the kind that that could fool any defender ( also the kind that made Ekko want to faceplant into the grass when they were kids, wondering if he'd ever be half as good — which he is now, of course ), and those were notoriously hard to master, wild and barely any spin. But Vi always made it look easy, even when they were just kids. Same with boxing — Vi dragged him to the gym before he could even to throw a proper punch or sprint properly. And she still does, every single weekend.
Even now, nothing much had change. Vi, Mylo, Claggor and him would still hang out still made time to meet up almost every week at the Last Drop, with greasy fries and too many sodas. Sometimes it'd be at the gym — Where him and Vi would square up in one of their so-called boxing matches. Vi went easy on him, of course. ( Even if she wouldn't admit it ) Vi was gunning for the pro leagues, everyone could see she had the grit to make it. He figured he'd enjoy these lighter rounds while it lasted — cause once she made it big, sparring with him would leave him face flat on the floor.
Powder used to watch him practise his passes from the bleachers everyday after school.
"Ay!" Zeri said, nudging Ekko on the shoulder.
"Hey, Z." Ekko smiled, raising an eyebrow. "You seem like you're in a good mood today."
His other best friend — Zeri. She was on the football team too, playing as the kicker, loud from the sidelines. Always watching his back, steady when he was wild.
( but mostly bossing him and Scar around from the sidelines because she could )
They met during football tryouts too. They only talked at first, then they started joking around, then they grew closer eventually, constantly challenging each other in practise and games. Their friendship had always been completely platonic though some people thought otherwise. Besides, Zeri would rather punt a football at his head rather than actually flirting with him. And Ekko? He never looked at her that way, they were just teammates, best friends— practically siblings at this point. Always starting meaningless arguments and annoying their friends.
"Only cause Mr. Singed's out today, thank Janna," She said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"He gives me goosebumps...." Scar crossed his arms.
Mr. Singed always had that eerie — too calm kind of vibe. But besides giving his students the chills, Ekko thought he wasn't all that bad.
"C'mon, he's not that bad."
"You say that, but you're literally his favourite student."
Ekko let out a Huff of laughter at Zeri's statement. Technically — she wasn't wrong. Mr. Singed did favour him, and so did many other teachers. Hard not to when you're the top student.
"Ekko!"
He turned, already regonising that voice. Footsteps tapped quickly across the hallway tiles, cutting though the buzz of students miling around before classes start.
Ryn, a girl from Lit he had became friends with recently — And one of the cheer squad's brightest cheerleaders. She always looked put together— glossed lips, honey-brown locks tied into a loose ponytail, lashes curled to perfection and all. She jogged up to him with a glint in her eyes—half mischief, half something else he couldn't quite name— as she tugged playfully at the sleeve of his jacket.
"You totally ditched me at my locker!" Ryn pouted.
"Didn't know I was supposed to wait." He gave her a grin, tone unapologetic. "Pretty sure you can survive the walk without me, though."
"Hmph. Well, I feel like I deserve compensation. Coffee maybe? After school?" She asked, batting her eye lashes at him.
Ekko shook his head with a small laugh. "Club meeting, remember?"
"And after that?"
"Still can't," He said, voice easy. "I'll be hangin' out with my friends later."
He watched Ryn's smile tighten. Yeah— She was definitely annoyed.
"Hm.. Oh well. Are you walking to class? Maybe we could walk togethe—"
"Ahem."
Zeri appeared beside them with that usual easy smile on her face, except this time it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Oh hey.. Zeri, didn't see you there.."
"Weird, I'm kinda hard to miss."
Ryn blinked, glancing between Zeri and Ekko.
"Well.. I was asking if Ekko wanted to walk to class together."
"Mhm. And we were just walking to class, me, Scar and Ekko. Like we always do," Zeri gave Ekko a look, and Ekko just scratched the back of his neck.
"Right. My bad. I'll just go now."
Ryn left, shooting Ekko one last glance.
Ekko exhaled through his nose while they kept walking. "Yeah.. I noticed," he said finally. "It's not like I've been walking around blind, I can tell when someone's got an attitude."
He wasn't stupid, Ekko knew his friends didn't really like her, mostly cause she acted like they didn't exist, always clinging onto him when they were literally just beside them. She had this habit of randomly running up to him, then latching onto his arm, and sometimes even tried pulling away him away from the group. It was kinda messed up, he could see that now. But at the time? He sorta just chalked it up to her being shy. Not to mention there was always this weird tention whenever Zeri and Sera around, and he never missed the way her tone changes whenever she talks to them. It was always so fake.. So forced.
"She barely says anything to you guys," Ekko went on.
Scar shot him a look, "Barely?"
"Okay yeah — she doesn't. At all," He sighed, lips twitching into a small, guilty smile. "I thought she was just shy at first, but now.."
"Kinda obvious she doesn't like me and Sera too."
Ekko glanced at Zeri.
"I get why you guys don't like her."
Just then, another voice cut in the mix — "Well yea, it's obvious she likes you too.. That isn't exactly a secret."
Seraphine, she was the lead vocalist in the school's music club, the voice. She's known for being bright and bubbly around campus, always humming a catchy tune underneath her breath — Unless you got on her bad side, then you'll see how fast that smile fades. No smiles, just silent glares and savage one-liners. Sera really liked dragging them out for late-night-karaoke too, picking songs she knew they secretly loved. She always covered the bill before anyone could even argue, even if Zeri claimed she sounded like a dying horse. That was just her love language, from surprise karaoke nights to making sure Zeri's favorite chips were in her bag.
Her sudden appearance didn't surprise them too. Sera always had a habit of showing up suddenly, especially when things got juicy.
She rolled her eyes, arms crossed.
"I'm not tryna be mean or anything, but that girl never smiles back when I smile at her. Not even once." Sera said, brows furrowing. "And again, and yes, I'm saying it again— She totally likes you. Like, likes you, likes you."
Ekko sighed, running a hand through his hair.
He didn't need Sera to remind him. He knew Ryn liked him — Had known for a while now. It wasn't like he was interested or anything.. If anything, he just didn't care. What was he supposed to do anyway? It wasn't like he was gonna lead her on just to make her feel better. Besides, he made it obvious enough he didn't like her that way, but she either didn't notice or just chose not to care. He didn't really hate Ryn or anything — she wasn't bad exactly, well — Maybe she was, but she always had a way of making things so awkward without even trying.
And honestly? It was getting pretty tiring.
"Yeah, you guys told me, like.. a hundred times."
"Well, just cause' she likes you doesn't mean she has to act like you're the only person in the room.
That made Ekko felt even worse about the situation. His friends really didn't deserve that kind of treatment, especially when they did nothing wrong. Thinking back, he probably should've called her out on in a while ago. But now? It was turning into a whole thing. And Ekko really doesn't have the patience for drama.
"Yeah.. That's on me. Look— I'll talk to her after this."
Zeri rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Whatever you say, dude."
"Oh yea! You guys heard of the new transfer student?" Seraphine asked excitedly. "I heard she's from France."
France?
"Oh yea, Lux mentioned her, said they were close friends. Didn't manage to catch her name though— Ezreal pulled her away before she could say anything else." Zeri said the last sentence with obvious annoyance in her voice.
"Well — you and Ekko better scoot over, cause she's joining your class."
"Yea.... Try not to scare her off Z," Scar teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Rude. And for the record, she'll love me. We'll become the best of friends — and Ekko's just gonna sit and watch from the sidelines."
"Wow. Alright. But hey, no hard feelings if she chooses me over you." He said lightheartedly, flashing his friends a smug grin.
"What, is our Ekko gonna make another girl fall for him again?" Sera asked playfully.
Sera's jab didn't come from nowhere though, he did built himself a reputation. Ekko was popular — President of the physics club and the football team's captain. He wasn't exactly sure how it happened, it just did. Between baseball practise, frequent club meetings, top marks in most classes, invites to hang out or tutor someone, it could be a lot sometimes. Juggling responsibilities, the weight of expectations, Ekko liked being good at things — but the attention? It can get a bit tiring.
And don't even get started on his looks, every girl on campus seemed to notice, and he knew it. Though it wasn't always like this. He actually used to be a short and pretty scrawny kid who had a real talent for physics and an immense love for books. That is — until puberty hit him like a damn truck. If baby Ekko saw how he was now, he'd probably stare in disbelief, then ask for workout tips.
Of course — his glow up didn't go unnoticed.
People definitely did. A lot. Lingering glances in the hallway, even earning quick giggles from girls when he passed by. Valentine's Day was particularly bad. Or good. Depends on how you view the situation. Tons of love letters and gifts stuffed into his locker. Honestly, it was overwhelming at first, but he's grown used to it. Having girls pull him aside to confess their love to him. He'd always reject them though. Respectfully.
He'd thank them,
Offer them a kind smile,
Then let them down easy.
No teasing. No ego. Just Ekko being Ekko.
Might've even made people like him more.
Ekko's friends had grown used to it too, and them being, well — Ekko's friends, would always ask him why he wouldn't give any one of those girls a chance. He' just shrugged it off most of the time. Said he had no time for love, or that he simply wasn't interested.
Because he wasn't. Sure— some of them were pretty, he'll admit that, but none of them really caught his attention like that. He had a pretty tight schedule too, crammed with classes, club meetings, baseball practice on some days after school.. But maybe there might've been another reason.... A certain someone he just couldn't forget nor move on from. ( Not like he wanted to )
He did think it was a tad bit pathetic — especially when he didn't actually know when or if he'd even see her again. Still, he held on. She did say that they would.
She promised.
"Nah, don't start.. It's not like I'm planning on it or anything." Ekko shrugged.
"Whatever — But I can't wait to meet her though! And you guys better introduce me to her." Typical Sera, ever the friendly one. Always so serious about her social missions.
Zeri snorted. "Yeah, but let's hope she's not another —"
BRRRRRRING!!
The bell rang.
Cutting Zeri off mid-snark. She groaned, grabbing her bag.
Scar sighed.
"Well— that's the bell. Later," He shot them a wave before disappearing down the hallway.
"Righttt— I have art now. Cya!" With that, Sera gave them a small wave and hurried to class. Her ponytail bouncing behind her as she hummed some tune under her breath.
"Ugh, morning classes feel like a punishment." Zeri stretched her her arms over her head with a groan.
Ekko chuckled. "Because they are"
They slipped past a slow-moving cluster of freshmen, Zeri shooting them a "Move it, people," while Ekko just quietly side stepped them, not saying a word— but he didn't miss the way a few girls went silent when he walked by. Then came a few hushed giggles, glances that weren't exactly subtle. He sighed through his nose, gaze locked forward. He never really knew what to do during moments like these— act like he didn't see anything? Say something? He didn't really care. Usually, he just chose silence.
"You good?" She asked after a beat.
"Yeah, just tired." Ekko shrugged.
Zeri didn't believe him, cause obviously she didn't. "Tired from all that attention you get everytime you walk past the hallway?" She chuckled.
Ekko glanced over, then shrugged. "Not like I asked for it.."
"Okay, okay. Just messin' with ya."
Ekko let out a small exhale, the corner of his lips twitching up. "I know."
They slipped into the classroom, door clicking shut behind them.
The classroom was already sputtering to life when they stepped in — chairs screeching, gossip, laughter and students shuffling around. Ekko stepped in like he had done so hundreds of times, slipping through the chatter through. He could feel eyes flickering his way, but he didn't pay them any mind. It was just like any other day. Zeri was already talking before she even sat down, plopping into her usual spot beside Lux mid-sentence. Lux was equally as chatty, the both of them slipping through an easy conversation like always.
Ekko dropped into the seat beside Ezreal — his chaotic, a bit of a loudmouth deskmate/friend, who was also another popular jock at school, tucked near the back in the second-to-last-row.
Ez had always been the talkative type — loud, confident, even a little full of himself sometimes. They met 9th grade when the both of them to it paired up for a basketball drill during PE sorta just clicked. He could be annoying sometimes though, even a little clingy, but he was also funny in a dumb way and never acted weird whenever Ekko went quiet. They started walking to class together eventually, then started sitting next to each other whenever they could.
After a few minutes, Mr. Keanne, their homeroom teacher, walked in. A quiet hush fell over the classroom.
"Alright, settle down class." His voice calm but firm as he set his papers down on the desk. "As some of you might've heard, we've got someone new joining us today, straight from France — actually." He added with a small nod, glancing at the door. A new student wasn't exactly rare, but a new student from another country? Now that got their attention.
A few students leaned into their friends, whispering under their breath, curious to know what the new student would be like.
Ekko didn't really care though. He leaned back, crossing his arms. Just another student, probably nothing special.
But he would be lying if he said he wasn't mildly curious.
"She's not here yet, but she'll be here any moment now — And I expect you guys to make her feel welcomed."
Ekko caught a glimpse of Lux looking all giddy and excited. It made sense. Zeri did mention that she was friends with mystery girl. She whispered something to Zeri, who only gave her a relaxed nod, clearly less dramatic about the whole thing. Ekko only rolled his eyes at the sight, it was kinda amusing seeing the cheer captain so excited.
Lux was the captain of the cheer squad, which makes her kind of a big deal at school. Her dad was a successful business man, so yeah — Popular and rich. But she wasn't like the mean girls you'd see in movies, Ekko thought she was pretty chill. Always bright, bubble, kinda like Sera but in a more Lux-y way. A bit of a brat sometimes, but more in a way that makes you laugh rather than annoyed. She had tons of friends, but she'd always stick with her main crew — Scar, Ezreal, and the rest. Popular, loud, always moving as one.
"So what's up with Lux and the new girl?"
"Oh, Lux met her when her dad took her on one of his business trips in France, been chatting over DMs ever since, so besties — or whatever. She's been bouncing off the walls since yesterday, texting her till 1am. Didn't even say goodnight to me, man."
"Damn. Replaced by her already, huh?" Ekko smirked.
As far as the couples in school went, Lux and Ezreal were the hottest couple in school. Everyone knew they were dating — they didn't try hiding it either. They were the golden couple, the kind that turned heads everytime they walked down the hallway together. And honestly? Ekko and their friends could tell they really loved each other. As flashy as they seemed on the outside, they were completely genuine.
"Ehh. But I'm willing to bet Lux's already planning to drag her into cheer soon — without me, of course. And get this — apparently girl's some kind of genius or something."
"Guess we'll find out soon enough," Ekko shrugged, "So did Lux mention anything about her name?"
"Err, she probably did.. But she was talking non stop about her so I kinda just zoned out halfway through.." ( He had the attention span of a freakin dog )
Even so, he could see why. Ekko hasn't even met her yet, and she was all he's been hearing this morning. After a while, they're conversation drifted off to something sports related or something dumb Ezreal always likes to bring up. Even though Ekko would occasionally get the urge to punch Ezreal in the face, they were close, annoyingly so. Ezreal always had a knack for getting under anyone's skin, but he still had his way of showing he cared.
"Y'think she'll fit in though?" Ezreal glanced over at the empty a few rows in front of them.
"Probably," Ekko said, flipping his pencil through his fingers, "She has Lux."
Ezreal made a face. "Right, besties."
Just then, a sudden knock cut their conversation short — followed by someone bursting through the door, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Ekko froze.
"No way.." Ekko muttered, mostly to himself, eyes blown wide.
Blue hair.
Blue eyes.
Pale skin.
Was that actually her?
"Ah — Ms. Powde — "
"It's Jinx, Jinx Lanes. Hiyaa~!!" Jinx chirped, an unbothered grin spread wide on her face, like it wasn't her first day at a new, completely foreign school.
His eyes were locked on her.
He wasn't seeing things. It IS her.
Right there.
In the same fucking classroom as him.
"Holy shit.."
After all this time.
He watched as Jinx scanned the classroom, and for the briefest moment, they locked eyes. Ekko panicked internally. Brain blue-screened.
Shit — She was looking at him. Act normal — LOOK normal.
Ekko really hoped she didn't notice him losing his damn mind over just a few seconds of eye contact. His heart was practically doing summersaults. And his brain? Cartwheels. But Ekko could've sworn he saw her expression shifted too, even if just for a second. Shock? Recognition, maybe? Something. That, more maybe he was just delusional.
Wait.. Does she even remember him?
What if she didn't? What if he was just projecting it, like a total idiot? That smile could mean anything. Maybe she's just being friendly — Worse, maybe she thought he was a total weirdo now. Some guy in the back of the class, staring at her, looking like he was about to pass out. Ekko crumbled internally.
Oh would the ground just swallow him up already?
"Nice to meet ya! I like fireworks, pranks, sparkly things, stuff that makes teachers question my transfer." She grinned cheekily, "Oh! And don't worry, I don't bite... much. Not unless you're boring. Or breathing. Or maybe both."
Ekko watched the classroom broke into a soft laughter. Yep, still charming as ever.
"Alright.... Jinx, thank you for that very lively introduction." He gestured towards an empty seat. "Go ahead and take a seat beside Kayn."
Kayn gave her a lazy grin while she settled in, making herself comfortable, letting her eyes roam freely around again. Until they locked on Ekko.
She tilted her head, barely. And smiled.
Then she just turned around, all casual, like she hadn't just wrecked him seconds ago.
Ekko blinked, pulse jumping.
Did — Did she just smile at me?
Ekko could feel heat creeping up his neck. He glanced away, only to catch himself glancing right back.
So she did remember him. She had to, right?
That, or she thinks he's weird.
Okay, breathe. Be normal. She smiled at him though, how could he be normal? Girls smile at him all the time, but it never did.. this. They never made his chest felt tight.
"Now let's get started, shall we class?
"You good, man? What, is it the new girl?"
"I-I'm fine, and — what?"
"Jinx, her smile really did numbers on you, huh?" Ezreal leaned back in his chair, cocking a brow.
"Shut up — She just smiled at me.. People do that."
"AND you're sweating."
"I'm not."
Ekko was, in fact, sweating. His palms started to get clammy, and he swore the temperature shot up the moment she smiled at him.
"Well, you clearly are." Ezreal said with a smug smirk on his face. Shooting him a sideways glance.
Ekko looked away, avoiding Ezreal's eyes.
He glanced at Zeri, and their eyes met.
She raised for an eyebrow.
Ekko blinked.
Zeri grinned, amused.
He sighed.
Okay, she definitely saw it too.
They weren't gonna let him off the hook that easy, were they?
He groaned, dragging a hand down his face.
He couldn't focus for the rest of his lectures — his brain stuck replaying that smile, the way he saw her eyes lit up when they locked eyes for the first time in years. His gaze kept flicking between the board, his textbook and Jinx. You're staring again, weirdo.. But he couldn't stop. It didn't help that she seemed so unbothered — scribbling in her notebook, twirling her pen in between her fingers, even making small talk with Kayn.
He even saw her laugh at something Kayn said, and Ekko felt his stomach twist.
Why was he even feeling this way?
They hadn't seen or talked to one another since they were kids. Until now, of course, except — they still hadn't talked. Well, she did smile and made eye contact with him, whether it was intentional or a total accident, it was something. And wasn't like Ekko tried to reach out too, because he did. At first he figured it was a bit too soon asking for her new number during the first week she left, so he waited.
Gave it time.
Eventually, he did work up the courage to ask her siblings, didn't really get him anywhere though. They didn't know. That wasn't a surprise though, they were kinda the reason why Jinx moved to France in the first place. Ekko figured she probably changed numbers, maybe even got a new phone, so that was that. Ekko didn't get his phone till 6th grade, so he had to use Benzo's. He knew for a fact Jinx didn't have Benzo's number, because why the hell would she? Bottom line: Jinx had no way of contacting him.
But maybe she didn't want to.
Maybe she could've, but just didn't want to.
Just thinking about that possibility made Ekko sick to his stomach.
Maybe she moved on.. But she was back now, wasn't she?
She kept her promise.
Ekko could feel heat creeping up his neck again.
Damn, was he really getting so worked up on a pinky-promise they made during middle school? Apparently, yes.
Yes, he was.
Does.. Vi even know she's back? Mylo? Claggor? Somehow, he had a feeling they were probably as much in the dark as he was.
Ekko knew why she left, it wasn't a mystery. Mylo was never one to hold back his words when he was a teenager — they were always sharp. Always bitter. He'd often take out his angers on Jinx, snapping at her for little things she couldn't control — dumb things. Most of the times it wasn't even actually her fault. And Vi.. Vi never exactly did anything to stop it, Claggor too. They'd defend her from time to time, but it still didn't stop Jinx from crying. And god — it made Ekko mad. Even when they were children.
He could tell Vi loved her, he never doubted that. But love didn't change the fact that she left. Not Mylo's constant jabs, not him taking out his insecurities on her like she was some sort of emotional punching bag, maybe they just added to the pile. The real reason was bigger, and messier. The way no one stepped in, not even Claggor. The time when Vi lashed out on her. He didn't exactly know why — Jinx never told him the exact reason and neither did Vi. Both sisters sobbed to him about it at different times, in different ways.
Jinx, right before she left, voice cracking and tears sliding down her cheeks as she tried to laugh it off.
And Vi.. weeks after Jinx left. Mylo and Claggor weren't any better — both breaking in their own ways.
He shook the memory off, jaw tight. That was years ago, no use thinking about it now.
What mattered now is that she's back.
Laughing with Kayn. What so funny anyway?
She threw her head back, laughing at something Kayn said. The way Kayn leaned in, looking all cocky and a bit too close.
He rolled his eyes and looked away, jaw tight. Whatever. She can laugh with whoever she wants — doesn't matter.
So why did it matter? Why was he so bothered?
It shouldn't matter.
He wasn't even sure if Jinx wanted to talk to him. Not when she looked so unbothered sitting there. Ekko hated it.
Still..
His chest tugged.
He wanted to talk to her, to hug her again, to hear her laugh up close. To ask her if she missed him.
Instead, he just sat there. Staring blankly at the board.
And then the bell rang, startling him.
Fuck — when did he even start zoning out?
Ekko had every intention of bolting straight to her, if it weren't for his nosy friends, who practically formed a human wall before he could even walk out the door. One blink and Jinx was gone. Shit. They weren't help either, teasing him relentlessly all the way to the cafeteria.
"Ohhh don't think you're getting away, lover boy." Ez grinned, slinging an arm over his shoulder before he could dodge.
"What was THAT — Like, I swear you looked like a kicked puppy" Zeri burst out laughing.
"Can you guys just drop it already?" His voice came out sharper than he meant for it to be, ears burning. "Now seriously, where's Lux?"
"Oh Lux? Probably with Jinx. And no chance, dude. You know how rare is it to see you like this? Actually — I don't think we've even seen you like this. Ever. What happened to being 'too-busy-for-distractions' or 'I-don't-do-crushes'?" Ezreal nudged him on the shoulder.
Ekko groaned once more. "She's not a crush...." He muttered, though it didn't sound very convincing.
Except.. Who was he kidding? That was the fattest lie of the century.
( He'd been crushing on her since they could even grasp the concept of a crush )
They walked through the crowd of people, his eyes scanning every table, every corner, hoping to catch even a flash of that blue. Scar was already slouched in his seat at their usual table, munching on his food, barely glancing up as they sat. The cafeteria was massive, rows upon rows of students crammed together. It was noisy — laughter, sneakers squeaking across the floor, the occasional sound of someone accidentally dropping their tray. Zeri was still laughing when she slid in beside Scar, nudging his shoulder playfully, smirking. Ekko narrowed his eyes, already knowing what that smirk meant.
"Yeahhhh, sure. Totally not crushing — OH, Scar — you won't believe it. Ekko's got it BAD. Man, I wish you saw him when she walked him. I swear boy looked like he was boutta pass out or something," Zeri, wheezed. She was really having the time of her life making fun of him.
"You mean the new girl?" Scar raised a brow, letting out a low chuckle.
Sera chimed in, plopping into the seat next to Zeri. Great.
"Woah- What'd I miss?"
"Ekko TOTALLY has a thing for the new girl. She's Jinx, by the way. You should've seen the look on his face!"
Sera gasped.
"A thing? I think you mean an entire crisis— girl smiled at him and he forgot how to breathe." Ezreal said, chuckling.
"I KNEW IT! Knew the whole 'no distractions' thing was a load of bull. And aww! I can't believe our Ekko finally has a crush! Bout' time.." Sera said.
"You guys are so annoying.." Ekko muttered, rubbing his face.
It's not like he didn't have a crush on her — He did. He acknowledged the fact that he had and still has a crush on her since they were just kids. A fat one too. But he'd rather die than giving them the satisfaction of admitting he actually has one.
"You know you love us, " Ez said with full confidence. "Face it man, you're toast."
"Shut up dude.. I—
"EKKO!" Lux's voice cutting through the noises like a damn whip, jumping him out of nowhere.
"Jeez, what now, Lux?" He was so done.
Could he ever catch a break?
"You didn't tell us you and Jinx knew each other! I demand details— this is like, the biggest thing ever! Also— you do know she freaked out right?"
Ekko stared at Lux, baffled by what she had just told him.
"Huh?" Was all he could manage, dumbly so.
She freaked out?
"What...." Ez dragged out the word, "So you guys knew other before this?"
Ekko stared at Lux, baffled by what she had just told him.
"Huh?"
She freaked out?
"What...." Ez dragged out the word, "So you guys knew other before this?"
"You guys had history??" Zeri asked.
"Wait — She freaked out!?" Ekko asked a bit too quickly.
"I mean.. I think she spiraled? Had to talk her down for a bit. Kept asking if you even remembered her at all...." Lux smiled, mostly to herself, sitting down next to him.
"..So you're the boy she wouldn't shut up about back in France.. She still talks about you sometimes, y'know. Just never actually mentioned your name."
She talked about him?
She still does?
Those words hit him hard. All this time he thought she'd move on. New city, new friends, new life.. Maybe even a boyfriend. Ekko soured everytime at the thought of her dating someone else. France was so far away, it practically another planet. There were nights he laid in bed, wondering where she was, or what she was doing, what trouble she's been stirring up.. She had her own life, one without him in it. He thought she forgot. But apparently.. She talked about him?
His heart did a funny little flip.
After all this time? He wondered if she thought about him as often as he thought about her. Did she miss the way he missed her? He was aching to know. And now? She was just hallways away. He wanted to go find her. To see her. To talk to her. To make sure this wasn't some ridiculous dream his sleep-deprived cooked up after years of missing her.
"She still talks about me...?" He echoed, more to himself than anyone, "I thought she didn't even remember me.." Ekko muttered, sounding a bit breathless.
He didn't even notice the smile creeping up his face.
"She missed you, y'know?" She smirked, plopping down next to him, "And judging by that smile on your face, I think the feeling's mutual."
The remaining four just watched the whole thing unfold, until one of them spoke up.
"Whoa, is Ekko Wyeth blushing right now?" Ez snorted. "You sure she's not a crush?"
".... Maybe" Ekko's eyes flicked to floor for a second — Why the hell did he just say that out loud?
"You're not denying it," Zeri raised her brows, grinning. "So, you do like her."
Sera giggled. "You should really go find her.. You're not exactly subtle right now, y'know."
Scar gave a small nod, mouth full of food.
Ekko ran a hand over the back of his neck, cheeks turning cherry-bright. He could feel all their eyes on him, and for a second he wondered if his friends were gonna drag him out the cafeteria just to make him confess. Because yeah — that's just how his friends were. He didn't even dare glance at Ezreal.
( The guy's grin was as good as lethal )
"Yeahh, but she's probably at the principal's office right now soo.." Lux popped a chip in her mouth, "I'm sure you'll catch her later, don't stress."
He really needed to find her, to do something. But she was at the principal's office. And what was he even planning to say? Would he even be able to talk normally to her? God — Would he embarrass himself? Where was all that calm, smooth charm now? Probably fled his body the second Lux said Jinx talked about him. Okay, he needed air. A breather, water on his face. Anything.
"Y — yeah. I need the restroom," he muttered.
The second the words slipped out of his mouth, Ekko got up and walked off without another glance, not even bothering to wait for his friends response. He didn't even know where he was going, his heart was hammering against his chest, his mind spinning. He just needed to move. The cafeteria was too loud, too hot, too many people that didn't matter. He needed out.
So he left.
He pushed through the doors into the hallway— empty, quiet. Finally. The stuffy noise of the cafeteria slowly fading, now muffled. His footsteps echoed as he moved, his pace frantic, his mind going a thousand miles per second. Ekko knew he needed to slow down, but he couldn't. His legs just wouldn't let him. He turned a corner without thinking, where was he even going? It didn't matter, anywhere was better than being in the cafeteria— better than having to face all his friends, all their knowing smiles and teasing looks. He rubbed a hand down his face.
His mind replayed what Lux had said to him.
She still talks about you.
She missed you.
So you're the boy who she wouldn't shut up about..
She talked about him. Still did.
God.
She missed him. She actually thought about him. Ekko exhaled hard. She remembered him. The way she smiled at him in class, soft, even a little hesitant. Like she wasn't sure if she was allowed to. The way her eyes lit up when she they locked eyes, those bright blue eyes. Like she was holding her breath the whole time. She even smiled at him.
Like, an actual smile.
Fuck.
Did he screw up?
She was right there, in front of him. And he just.. froze, like an idiot. What if he came off cold? Distant? What if she thought he didn't remember her? The way he thought she didn't remember him. What if she thought that he didn't care? He really messed up didn't he?
Too slow. Too stupid.
She smiled and he just.. stared.
What if she thought he was weird?
Did he scare her off? His chest tightened. Euphoria turned into panic. Did he blew his chances before he even started? His chest sank.
Ekko's hands clutched into fists, he had to make a move before he loses it. His thoughts were a mess. Lux said Jinx was still stuck in the principal's office.. Should he wait outside? What if he scares her away again? Maybe it'd be better if he went to her after school ended? School ends in 3 more hours though..
His usual calm, collected self vanished the moment Lux mentioned her name. Now he was just.... spiralling. Hopeful? Nervous. Shit, maybe a little happy. He had to find her. He had to fix this. But what if she doesn't want to see him anymore? What if..
He turned a corner too fast —
THUD.
"Fuck —"
He slammed into someone.
Hard.
Their face smacked face-first into his chest.
He staggered slightly from the impact.. Of course he'd bump into someone while walking like a maniac down the ball.
"Sorry — I wasn't looki...." He stepped back, mumbling an apology.
He looked down.
Blue hair.
Ekko froze.
Wide, blue eyes stared back at him.
"Ekko?" It was soft, like a breath.
Then — Before he could even react —
WHAM.
"EKKO!!!"
Jinx launched herself at him.
He stumbled down.
His back hit the floor with a grunt as she straddled him, arms thrown around his neck, tight, thighs digging into his ribs. Knocking the air out of his lungs.
Holy hell.. This was really happening.
"P-Pow — Jinx — I —" His voice cracked, and he instantly wanted to dig himself six feet underground. Great. Real smooth, Ekko.
"I knew it was you!" she beamed, mumbling against his shoulder. "I wasn't sure — like, I thought maybe you didn't remember me, but — God, it really is you!"
His brain short-circuited, lungs screaming for air. He opened his mouth but nothing came out — just a pathetic choke. Meanwhile Jinx still clung onto him like a koala bear, oblivious to the fact that he was quite literally dying.
Jinx was tiny compared to him — light as a feather. Ekko could probably toss her over his shoulder with one hand and still have a hand free. Not that he was planning on it.. Probably.
His hand hovered awkwardly in the air for a second — like his body was still catching up with his heart — before they settled around her waist. He wasn't sure if Jinx could feel his heart thumping so hard against his chest, but he was praying she couldn't.
He swore he was gonna pass out right then and there. With her on top of him..
"Took you long enough," she muttered, squeezing him tighter.
Her hair smelled fruity, like strawberry shampoo. Sweet and stupidly addictive. He inhaled once, — okay twice, maybe three times before catching himself. And up close? God — Jinx was even prettier than he remembered. Her blue hair was tied in loose, messy braids that brushed lightly over her thighs. Her eyes were the same shade of blue he remembered, wide — sparkling with trouble, and those freckles. Adorable little freckles dotted her face, and he had the urge to count every single one of them.
She was definitely way prettier than he remembered.
Ekko saw her skirt rode up a bit as she straddled him. His heart nearly stopped — until he noticed she was wearing safety shorts peeking out underneath. He exhaled, unsure if it was relief or something else.
Ekko let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Yeah.." Ekko said quietly while he rubbed soothing circles around her back, "You're back.."
Jinx pulled back slightly, just a few inches, and they locked eyes again. He swallowed hard. Ekko hated how he immediately missed the warmth pressed against his shoulder, his arms instinctively tightened around her back.
"I promised I'd come back, didn't I?" She smirked, leaning in with a smug tilt of her head.
"You did," he said with a quiet laugh, eyes searching hers. "Just thought maybe you forgot."
"Thought I was gonna ditch you forever, huh?" She teased, poking his chin with a cheeky grin. A poke. Just a poke. And yet, his body stiffened even more at the sudden contact. A laugh slipped out. "As if I'd let anyone steal my spot."
Her spot?
"Y — yeah.. Your spot," He let out a shaky breath, trying (and failing) to mask his fluster. Focus Ekko. Don't say anything dumb.
She tilted her head, eyes sparkling with amusement. She giggled. "Aw really? You actually care about that, Koko?"
"I — uh.. Well — I mean, of course I do." He muttered, knowing full-well how pathetic he sounded. Seriously? That damned nickname.
( One of many she made up for him when they were kids )
Jinx's grin widened, now poking his shoulders lightly. "Admit it — missing me was hard, wasn't it?"
Get it together, Ko— Ekko.
He leaned in closer, smirking. Ready to turn the tables — It was his turn to tease her now. No more stumbling. No more stuttering.
"Funny how you say that when you're the one who — ran straight into my arms. Pretty sure you were dying to see me."
"Dying to see you? Maybe.. maybe not, but don't let it get to your head." She said, giggling.
Ekko chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah.. Alright, you got me. I missed you.. A lot," He said, pulling her closer.
He could see Jinx blushing a bit, the way her gaze clicked away. She was flustered.
He grinned.
"Is that a blush?" Ekko teased, eyes lighting up at the sight, clearly delighted seeing her flustered.
"You wish."
They stayed like that for a while, neither of them moving. It was kinda a miracle no one walked into them tangled up on the hallway floor like that. Then, Jinx finally climbed off of him, patting down her skirt, not even feel slightly embarrassed. Ekko blinked up at her, frowning a little. Damn. That ended sooner than he would've liked.
"What, already done tackling me?"
He didn't say it out loud, but he missed hugging her, having her close to him— Yeah, he missed that. Even if she had full-on tackled him. Tackled him. Who even does that? But honestly? He wouldn't have minded if she stayed a little longer. Heck— maybe he wanted her to stay longer. He wouldn't mind if she did it again either. Even if it came with a bruise or two. A couple of bruises were worth it if it meant getting to hold her like again. Since when did he get so sentimental over being body-slammed?
For a second, he imagined pulling her back down. Not in a romantic way.. He thinks.
"I hugged you," She crossed her arms, grinning. "Not my fault you fall so easily."
"Mm, could've stayed longer," Ekko said, mock serious. "But then I didn't wanna suffocate you — Guess I'm just thoughtful like that, huh?"
"Yeah? And I thought I was the clingy one."
Ekko stood up, towering over her tiny frame.
"You jumped on me in the middle of the hallway," He brushed himself off, trying to act casual, like his heart wasn't thudding from her sudden ambush.
His shirt was a little wrinkled now, his hair was probably a mess — Most likely looking like he just wrestled a raccoon in the middle hallway. Except this raccoon smelled nice and made it very hard for him to stay mad at her.... not that he was trying all that hard. His raccoon — For some dumb reason the words popped up in his brain uninvited, except she wasn't his. She'd never been his. And he had no idea why those words sat so uncomfortably in his mind.
"You bumped into me first," She shot back, raising a brow. "Besides, you didn't seem to mind."
He didn't.
Not even a little.
In fact, he kind of liked it.
No, he really liked it.
"Still think I'm the clingy one?" He asked.
Jinx looked up at him, chin tilted defiantly. "Yup. You looked like you were bouta cry."
He scoffed. "Liar."
Somehow, it was still so easy with her, all the teasing, small banters, the way grins tugged at both of their lips like it was a reflex. It was all so effortless, so natural— and Ekko loved it. It made him little crazy honestly, being near her made everything felt less heavy. Like she never left.
"Adorable," She corrected, eyes gleaming.
And she maybe she wasn't wrong. Hell, was she adorable — So much so a stupid grin tugged at his lips before he could even stop it. Yeah.. Adorable. Trouble too.
But mostly adorable.
"Adorably lost, maybe?"
Jinx rolled her eyes. "Not lost, detoured."
"Lux didn't show you around?"
"Said she would, after my little visit to the principal's." She blew her bangs out of her face, then shrugged. "But then poof— gone."
"Oh — To be fair, she did come find us at the cafeteria," Ekko added. "Probably meant to come back for you, but uh.. she kinda cornered me instead.." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Tch, course' she did," She rolled her eyes. "She probably got distracted again, what'd she say?"
"Said you talked about me," he chuckled softly. "So I was the mystery guy you kept talking about in France?"
"Ugh.. Lux and her big mouth," she looked away, nose scrunching. "It's not a big deal...."
"Not a big deal? I didn't think you'd still think about me at all," he grinned, leaning in. "Kinda cute."
Jinx groaned, then shot him a glare, though it lacked any heat. "You're impossible.. Both you and Lux."
"Alright, alright. I'll make it up to you."
She raised a brow.
"How bout' we grab lunch? I could show you around after school too, if you want." He tried to sound casual about it, but his heart was racing at a terrifying speed, hammering in his chest. Say yes, please say yes.. Just say yes..
He hated how desperate he sounded in his own head, but damn, he couldn't help it. Relax. It's just lunch, man. You're not gonna combust if she says no. It wasn't even about the food. It was about him having her to himself, even if it's just for a while. Just her and him. Just best friends keeping up, right? Even though the words best friends didn't really sound right — To him, at least. Not anymore. Once — sure, when they were kids. But now? That label felt too small. Okay yeah, he still liked her. A lot.
Jinx blinked, caught off guard by the offer— Then slowly, she nodded.
His heart nearly jumped to his throat. He swallowed quick. "Sweet. Lunch, then." Cool, he sounded cool.
Meanwhile, his brain was absolutely losing it. She said yes? She actually agreed. Just like that.
"Sure, but only if you're — "
And before Jinx could finish, a voice cut her off.
"There you are!"
Someone latched onto Ekko's arm suddenly, pressing in close — bright-eyed and smiling. Her presence hit fast, her hands looping around Ekko's arm like she'd done it millions of times before, nails grazing against the fabric of his jacket.
"There you are," she repeated, leaning in closer, oblivious to the sudden shift in the air. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
Ekko's shoulders stiffened as Ryn clung to him.
Why now..
She was loud.
Loud and way too close.