YOU,ME,AND THEM A LOVE STORY

Too Many Heartbeats

CHAPTER 21

(Leanne’s POV)

Leanne officially decided the literature club was dangerous.

Not academically.

Emotionally.

Very emotionally.

Because somehow—

Every single member of the club affected her differently.

Chris made her laugh too much.

Carl made her nervous without even trying.

Ren made quiet moments feel special.

And Kai—

Kai somehow turned baking into emotional warfare.

It was unfair.

Completely unfair.

Currently, Leanne sat inside the literature clubroom pretending to focus on homework while absolutely not focusing at all.

Because Chris was laying upside down across the couch again.

And somehow—

That alone was distracting.

“Leaaa.”

Leanne didn’t even look up from her notebook.

“No.”

“You don’t know what I’m asking.”

“I can spiritually sense chaos.”

Chris gasped dramatically.

“She understands me emotionally.”

“She fears you emotionally,” Kai corrected while organizing ingredients nearby.

“That too.”

Leanne sighed while trying not to smile.

Meanwhile Ren quietly read near the windows as usual while Carl reviewed student council documents beside him.

Warm sunlight filled the clubroom softly.

Honestly?

This place really had become her favorite part of the academy.

It felt safe here.

Comfortable.

Like she belonged.

Then suddenly—

Chris slid off the couch dramatically and dropped beside her chair.

Way too close.

Again.

Leanne immediately leaned away slightly.

“…Personal space.”

“I sacrificed it for friendship.”

“That sounds fake.”

Chris grinned lazily while resting his chin against the table beside her notebook.

Leanne tried ignoring how close his face suddenly was.

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

Then Chris blinked while staring at her carefully.

“…You’re staring again.”

Leanne froze.

“I am not.”

“You absolutely are.”

Kai looked over briefly.

“She does stare at you a lot.”

“Traitor.”

Ren quietly lowered his book slightly.

“…It’s noticeable.”

Leanne immediately covered her face.

“This club is evil.”

Chris burst into laughter.

Bright.

Warm.

And somehow—

Leanne’s chest tightened softly again.

Dangerous.

Christopher Reyes was very dangerous.

Then unexpectedly—

Chris smiled softer while looking at her.

Not teasing this time.

Just warm.

Comfortable.

Like he genuinely liked being near her.

And suddenly—

Leanne’s heartbeat became stupid again.

Why is he looking at me like that?

Before she could recover—

The clubroom door suddenly opened.

Silence instantly filled the room.

Because Sabrina Villareal walked inside.

Elegant as always.

Perfect posture.

Perfect smile.

Perfect appearance.

But the moment Sabrina noticed Chris sitting extremely close to Leanne—

Something sharp flashed through her eyes briefly.

Then disappeared immediately.

“Christopher,” Sabrina greeted softly.

Chris visibly deflated.

“…Oh.”

Leanne blinked.

That reaction was immediate.

Sabrina walked toward them gracefully.

“You missed dinner yesterday.”

Chris smiled automatically.

But somehow—

It looked different from his usual smile.

Polite.

Forced.

Empty.

“Sorry,” he answered lightly. “I forgot.”

“You always forget.”

Her tone sounded sweet.

But tension still lingered underneath.

Kai quietly looked away while cleaning.

Ren slowly closed his book.

Carl sighed softly under his breath.

Like everyone already knew this situation too well.

Sabrina finally looked toward Leanne.

And smiled politely.

“…Leanne.”

“Hi.”

The atmosphere immediately became awkward.

Then Sabrina gently placed a hand on Chris’s shoulder.

And Chris instantly stiffened.

Tiny movement.

Easy to miss.

But Leanne noticed.

Why did he react like that?

Sabrina continued smiling calmly.

“My parents asked if you confirmed the engagement party next month.”

Silence.

Leanne froze.

Engagement party?

Chris looked exhausted immediately.

“…Do we really need one?”

“Our families already discussed this.”

“I know.”

The answer came out quieter than usual.

Less playful.

Less bright.

Leanne stared at him carefully.

Because suddenly—

Chris didn’t look like himself.

No teasing.

No jokes.

No dramatic reactions.

Just tired.

Then Sabrina sighed softly.

“You should take these things seriously, Christopher.”

Chris laughed lightly.

But the sound felt wrong somehow.

“Yeah. Probably.”

Leanne looked down quietly afterward.

Because for some reason—

Something unpleasant twisted inside her chest.

Jealousy?

No.

Probably not.

Hopefully not.

Then suddenly—

Chris stood up quickly.

“I’m getting snacks.”

Kai blinked.

“You already ate three pastries.”

“I need emotional pastries.”

“You’re emotionally annoying.”

Chris ignored him immediately and escaped the clubroom.

Fast.

Too fast.

Like he wanted out.

Silence followed afterward.

Sabrina watched the doorway for a second before sighing softly.

“He’s impossible sometimes.”

Carl remained calm.

But Leanne noticed the tension in his expression slightly.

Meanwhile Ren quietly reopened his book.

And Kai aggressively cleaned the same counter for the fifth time.

Then unexpectedly—

Sabrina looked directly at Leanne again.

And smiled.

But somehow—

It didn’t feel friendly at all.

“You and Christopher seem very close lately,” Sabrina said softly.

Leanne froze slightly.

“…We’re friends.”

“Friends,” Sabrina repeated calmly.

Then her smile sharpened slightly.

“Be careful.”

The words sounded gentle.

But somehow—

They felt like a warning.