Catch Me If You Can, Mr. President! [Skynani] - Book 1

Quick update, lovelies! ❤️
Turns out I'm the latest victim of the family cold epidemic-just in time for the festive season, right? 😷 But don't worry, I'm still scribbling away from my blanket fort!

For this story, I want to take extra care with edits (no one deserves kindergarten-level writing, haha), so I'll be releasing it in chunks. Bear with me-quality over speed! Your patience means the world.

Sending sniffly hugs and endless gratitude for your support! 🤧💕

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The hallway outside the nurse's office stretched quiet and long, painted with the soft echo of Nani's crutch tapping against the floor as he walked away.

Sky's footsteps came fast behind him.

"Nani-wait."

Nani didn't stop.

His jaw was tight. His hands clenched the crutch so hard his knuckles were white. His ankle throbbed with every step, but the ache in his chest burned worse.

Sky caught up in three strides.

"Nani," he said again, voice low, urgent. "Please. Just talk to me."

Nani kept walking.

So Sky reached out-grabbed his wrist.

That stopped him.

Nani froze.

Not violently. Just... stiff. Like something in him was hanging by a thread.

Slowly, he turned. His eyes were glassy, his voice strained.

"Let go."

Sky's hand didn't move. "I need to explain-"

"I said let go."

"You don't understand-"

"I don't understand anything right now!" Nani snapped, voice cracking at the edge.

Sky finally loosened his grip.

Nani shook his arm free and took a step back, breathing hard.

"I don't get it, Sky. I don't get you. I don't get why I care, or why this hurts, or why you looking at Felix like that made me feel like-"

He cut himself off.

Sky opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Nani's chest rose and fell. Fast. Shaky.

"You heard me, right?" he said quietly, almost to himself. "Earlier. Saying I don't need you."

Sky's gaze dropped to the floor.

"I lied," Nani whispered.

That's when his voice broke completely.

"And I hate it."

Sky's heart caved.

He took a step forward, but Nani backed away.

"Don't," Nani said, shaking his head. "Don't touch me right now."

His eyes shimmered-but he refused to let the tears fall.

"Because if you do, I might-"
He stopped again. Swallowed hard.
"I might not be able to pretend this doesn't mean something."

Sky's throat tightened. He couldn't breathe, let alone speak.

From down the corridor, just out of sight, six familiar figures stood quietly behind the corner.