Chapter 4
930 Words
The next morning, Selene and Emily sat at their usual table in the cafeteria.
Emily was still fuming.
“I can’t believe you let him come,” she muttered, stabbing at her yogurt like it had personally wronged her.
Selene, sipping her coffee, raised an eyebrow. “I can’t believe you actually talked to Leo without passing out.”
Emily groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I barely remember what I said. Was I weird?”
Selene smirked. “Oh, incredibly.”
Emily’s head shot up. “Be honest.”
Selene laughed. “You were fine. Maybe a little too enthusiastic, but considering you didn’t spontaneously combust, I’d call it a win.”
Flashback – Last Night at the Art Show
Liam had been on his worst behavior.
Emily had managed to muster enough courage to approach Leo, leaving Selene alone with Liam.
Which, in retrospect, had been a mistake.
“Veyne,” he said, leaning in as they stood in front of another abstract painting. “Be honest. Do you think that’s actually art?”
Selene glanced at the painting. A single, perfectly drawn black circle on a white canvas.
She sighed. “I don’t know, Liam. Do you think your existence is meaningful?”
Liam gasped dramatically. “Another stab to the heart. Are you trying to kill me, Veyne?”
Selene smirked. “I try.”
His gaze flicked to the side, and his smirk turned mischievous.
Selene immediately tensed. “What?”
“Emily’s still talking to Leo.”
“And?”
“And I think she’s panicking.”
Selene turned her head slightly.
Emily was, in fact, panicking.
She was smiling, nodding too quickly, her hands fidgeting. Leo, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease.
“She’s fine,” Selene muttered.
Liam crossed his arms. “You sure?”
Selene wasn’t.
Before she could stop him, Liam moved.
Selene’s stomach dropped.
“Oh no—Liam—don’t—”
Too late.
Liam strolled up to Emily and Leo like he had every right to be there.
Selene cringed as she watched Emily freeze.
Leo raised an eyebrow.
Liam grinned. “Hey, guys.”
Emily turned to him slowly, her smile strained. “Liam.”
Leo, bless his heart, just looked mildly amused.
Liam clapped a hand on Emily’s shoulder. “So, Emily was just telling me how much she loves your work. Like, really loves it.”
Emily’s face turned red. “Liam.”
Liam ignored her. “She also wanted me to ask if you’re single, but I told her that was too forward.”
Selene had never seen someone look so close to actual homicide.
Leo, to his credit, just laughed. “That’s flattering,” he said, smiling at Emily. “I appreciate it.”
Emily visibly short-circuited.
Liam beamed. “See? Not so scary.”
Emily looked like she was about to commit actual murder.
Selene, at a safe distance, sipped her drink and enjoyed the show.
End of Flashback.
Emily sighed dramatically.
Then, after a pause, she narrowed her eyes.
“Speaking of combusting,” she said, “let’s talk about you and Liam.”
Selene almost choked on her coffee. “Excuse me?”
Emily grinned like she had just caught her in a trap.
“Oh, don’t act dumb,” she said, leaning in. “I saw that little moment you had.”
Selene scowled. “There was no moment.”
Emily smirked. “Oh, there was a moment.”
Selene scoffed, waving a hand. “It was—nothing. He was just messing with me.”
“Right,” Emily said, dragging out the word. “That’s why you looked like you were about to either punch him or—”
Selene pointed her fork at her. “Finish that sentence, and I will stab you.”
Emily wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m just saying, there was tension.”
Selene rolled her eyes. “There’s always tension. Liam’s annoying.”
“Mmhm.”
“Emily.”
“I’m just enjoying this,” Emily admitted, smirking. “You flustered? With Liam? This is better than my crush drama.”
Selene scoffed. “I was not flustered.”
Emily just gave her a knowing look.
Selene took another sip of her coffee, choosing to ignore her.
But as much as she hated to admit it…
"Hey Leo. Last night's show was awesome"
Emily was still recovering.
Selene had spent all morning making fun of her, and now, as if fate was cruel, Leo himself was walking toward their table.
Emily froze mid-bite.
Selene smirked. “Breathe, idiot.”
Emily didn’t.
Leo stopped in front of them, his usual calm, artistic aura somehow making Emily panic even more.
“Hey,” he said, his eyes flicking between them. “Emily, right?”
Emily nodded too fast. “Yes. Yep. That’s me. Totally Emily.”
Selene held back a laugh.
Leo just smiled. “I wanted to say thanks for coming last night. It was nice talking to you.”
Emily made a strangled noise.
Selene decided to save her.
“She wouldn’t shut up about it all night,” Selene said.
Leo chuckled. “Glad to hear that.”
Selene swore Emily wasn’t breathing.
Leo glanced at her tray. “Do you mind if I sit?”
Emily almost choked. “Yes—wait, I mean—no! I don’t mind! Sit! Please!”
Leo smiled and sat down.
Selene bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
This was going to be fun.
- Writer
