Chapter 9_ The Edges we show
533 Words
It started with something small—too small, really, to explain why Ryan reacted the way he did.
Ethan was leaving the library just as the late-afternoon light began to fade. He had an armful of books, his backpack slung over one shoulder, and his phone buzzing in his pocket. He didn’t notice the group of guys leaning against the bike racks until one of them stepped into his path.
“Hey,” the tallest one said, smirking. “You’re in my statistics class, right? Ethan Li?”
Ethan shifted his books. “Yeah, I think so.”
The guy’s smirk deepened. “You’re always with that Chen guy. What’s the deal with you two? Something you’re not telling us?”
It wasn’t the words so much as the tone—mocking, just enough to make the others snicker.
Before Ethan could answer, a voice cut in.
---
“Is there a problem here?”
Ryan was suddenly there, stepping between Ethan and the group. His expression wasn’t his usual easy grin; it was sharp, almost cold, and it made the laughter die out instantly.
“Relax, we were just talking,” the tall one said, holding up his hands.
Ryan didn’t blink. “Then talk to someone else.”
The air seemed to change—thicker somehow, like everyone was waiting to see what would happen. The group exchanged glances, muttered something under their breath, and moved off toward the parking lot.
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Ethan stood there, still holding his books, staring at Ryan. “You didn’t have to—”
“Yes, I did,” Ryan interrupted, his voice still tight. “They were out of line.”
Ethan tried to smile. “I can handle it.”
Ryan’s gaze softened, but he stepped closer. “I know you can. But you don’t have to handle it alone.”
Something in Ethan’s chest shifted—like the words were pressing against a locked door he wasn’t ready to open.
---
They walked toward the dorms without speaking much. Ryan kept glancing at Ethan as if to check that he was really okay.
At the entrance, Lily was leaning against the wall, waiting. She looked between them and raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”
Ryan shrugged. “Just some idiots. Nothing worth talking about.”
“Uh-huh,” Lily said, clearly unconvinced. Her gaze landed on Ethan, who gave a small, noncommittal shrug in return.
Daniel arrived a moment later, holding two bags of takeout. “What’s with the mood?”
“Ask Ryan,” Lily said, still eyeing him.
Ryan rolled his eyes. “I just don’t like people messing with my friends.”
Lily smirked slightly. “Friends. Right.”
Ryan shot her a look that made Ethan’s ears burn.
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Later that night, Ethan sat on his bed, staring at the glow of his phone screen. There was a new message from Ryan.
Ryan: You okay?
Ethan: Yeah. You didn’t need to worry so much.
A pause, then another message:
Ryan: Too late for that.
Ethan stared at the words for a long time before typing back.
Ethan: Goodnight, Ryan.
The reply came almost instantly.
Ryan: Goodnight, Ethan.
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- Writer
