A Tutor For My Bully

Chapter 30: A Line He Shouldn't Cross

Akira's POV

I stared at Kael's message for what felt like forever. Stay away from Justin.

Who did he think he was? I typed a reply.

Akira: You can't tell me who I can be friends with.

I stared at it.

Then deleted it.

Typed again.

Akira: Why?

I sent it before I could change my mind, the three dots appeared almost immediately.

Kael: Because I don't trust him.

I frowned.

Akira: You don't even know him.

Kael: I know enough.

I rolled my eyes.

“Oh my goodness!” There he went again.

Always acting as though he knew everything.

Akira: He's been nothing but nice to me.

His reply took longer this time.

Kael: That's the problem.

I stared at the screen.

What was that supposed to even mean?

Before I could ask, another message appeared.

Kael: Get some sleep. You have tutoring tomorrow.

I frowned completely.

He had completely avoided my question.

Typical Kael.

I dropped my phone on my bed.

I didn't know what annoyed me more—the fact that he was trying to control who I talked to, or the fact that a tiny part of me wanted to know why. I guess I wouldn't find out because the Kael I know… he's too difficult to handle.

>>>>>>>

The next morning, I arrived at school earlier than usual. It's Monday again, and Mondays seem to arrive more quickly than other weekdays.

I walked through the hallway, holding my books tightly against my chest.

"Akira."

I turned.

Justin.

He smiled.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

"Hope you had a good night's rest?" He asked, beaming with a warm smile.

"Yes…, I did."

"Did you think about what I told you yesterday?"

I frowned immediately.

"What?"

"About Kael."

My expression changed.

"Oh."

Justin walked beside me. "You don't have to tell me anything."

"I know."

"I just don't want you getting hurt." I looked at him.

"Why do you care so much?" He smiled. "Because I like you."

My heart skipped.

I immediately looked away.

Justin chuckled softly. "You don't have to say anything."

"I..." I didn't know what to say.

No one had ever been so direct with me before.

He stopped walking.

"Think about it."

“Thi… Think about what…, I stammered. But before I could finish with my question, he walked away without saying anything. That was weird, I thought to myself.

I remained standing there, completely frozen.

"Milky."

My heart jumped.

I turned.

Kael was standing behind me.

His expression was unreadable.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough."

My stomach tightened.

"Did you hear what he said?"

"No."

He lied so effortlessly that I almost believed him.

"Good."

He walked past me. I followed.

"Kael?"

"What?"

"Why do you dislike Justin?"

"I told you."

"You don't trust him."

"Exactly."

"But why?" He stopped. His eyes met mine.

"Because I know his type."

"What type?"

"The type that smiles too much." I blinked.

"That's your reason?"

"No."

"Then what is?" He looked away.

"I don't know." I sighed.

"You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn."

"I am not."

"You are." I smiled despite myself.

He noticed.

His expression softened for half a second before he quickly looked away.

>>>>>>>

Kael's POV

I hated seeing her with him.

There.

I'd finally admitted it.

I hated it. Every time Justin stood beside Milky, something inside me tightened. Every time she smiled at him, I felt irritated, and I had no right to feel that way. She wasn't mine, She wasn't even my friend. She was just my tutor.

That was all. At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

"Bro."

Adrienne's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"What?"

"You've been staring at Milky for the past thirty seconds." I looked away immediately. "I wasn't." He laughed. Somehow I felt irritated.

"You're terrible at lying."

"Shut up."

"Do you like her?" I turned to him.

"What?"

"Milky."

"No."

"That was quick."

"Because it's ridiculous."

"Then why are you so defensive?"

"I'm not." He grinned.

"You are." I pushed him lightly.

"Go to class." He laughed.

"Whatever you say." I watched him leave.

Then my eyes returned to Milky.

She was talking to Justin again.

My hands tightened into fists.

Something wasn't right.

And I was going to find out what.

>>>>>>

Akira's POV

After classes ended, I went to the library. I needed somewhere quiet. My mind had been crowded all day.

Kael's warning.

Justin's confession. Everything felt confusing. I opened my notebook and tried to write, but nothing came. I sighed.

"Writer's block?"

I looked up.

Justin again.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Camila." I laughed.

"She really tells everyone everything." He pulled out the chair.

"Can I sit?"

"Sure." He sat opposite me, for a few minutes, neither of us spoke.

Then he placed something on the table.

A small bracelet.

My eyes widened.

"What's that?"

"For you."

"Justin..."

"It's not expensive." I touched it carefully.

"Why are you giving me things?"

"Because I want you to have them." I looked at him.

"You're making me feel spoiled."

"You deserve to be spoiled,you deserve better.”

My cheeks warmed.

I looked down.

“No, I can't accept this”, I said, stretching it back to him.

“Bu… but I got this for you. He said with a faint voice and somehow, I felt pity for him.

I had never seen Justin like this, he even stammered.

"I've never had anyone do things like this for me."

"Then maybe you should." His voice was soft. I smiled. "Thank you." I accepted the bracelet smiling nervously.

He leaned back.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you like Kael?" My smile disappeared.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I..." I didn't know how to answer.

"I don't know." He nodded slowly.

"That's okay."

"Why are you asking?"

"Because I don't want to compete with someone you already have feelings for." My heart pounded.

"I don't have feelings for him."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." The answer came too quickly.

Justin smiled.

"Then maybe I have a chance." I looked at him with a wide eye.

He wasn't joking, I guess.

He was serious.

And somehow, that scared me more than it excited me.

>>>>>>>

Kael's POV

I waited outside the library, I didn't know why. I had no reason to be there. I told myself I needed a book that I knew was a lie.

I needed to see Milky.

I was about to walk inside when I heard voices.

Justin.

And Milky.

I stopped.

"You deserve better." Justin's voice.

I clenched my jaw.

Then I heard Milky laugh.

I almost walked away.

Almost. Until Justin said something that made me freeze.

"Do you like Kael?" My heart stopped, I moved closer to the door. There was silence.

Then Milky answered.

"I don't have feelings for him." Something inside me sank. I didn't understand why. Shouldn't I be relieved? She didn't like me, that was good. That was exactly what I wanted. So why did it hurt?

I stepped away from the door.

I didn't wait to hear anything else.

I walked down the hallway.

My chest felt strangely heavy.

---

Justin's POV

I watched Akira carefully.She was confused.

Perfect. She wasn't in love with Kael. Not yet, but she could be. And that was why I needed to move quickly. I stood up.

"Walk me out?"

She nodded.

We left the library together.

Neither of us noticed Kael standing at the end of the hallway.

He watched us, his expression was cold.

Then his eyes fell on the bracelet around Akira's wrist. Something inside him snapped. He walked toward us.

"Milky."

She turned.

"Kael?"

His eyes remained on the bracelet. "Take it off."

I frowned.

"What?"

"I said take it off."

Justin stepped forward.

"Why?"

Kael's gaze shifted to him.

"This has nothing to do with you."

"Actually, it does." Kael laughed bitterly.

"Stay out of it." Justin didn't move. "I'm not going anywhere." The hallway suddenly felt colder.

Akira looked between them. "Guys..."

Kael stepped closer.

"Take. It. Off."

Justin smiled.

And for the first time, there was something dark behind his eyes. "Make me."

Kael's jaw tightened. His fists curled at his sides.

And Akira suddenly realized something.

This wasn't about the bracelet anymore, this was personal.