Chapter 31: The Things That Bothered Him
1375 Words
Akira's POV
I knew something was different the moment I walked into class. Maybe it was the way people kept glancing in my direction, Or maybe it was because Justin was already sitting on the edge of my desk, casually flipping through one of my textbooks like he had every right to be there.
I stopped a few steps away.
“Justin?” He looked up.
“Morning, Milky.”
I frowned.
Nobody called me that except Kael.
“Why are you sitting at my desk?”
“Because it's comfortable.”
“That's my desk.”
“I know.” He smiled.
I stared at him for a few seconds before dropping my bag beside the chair. Somehow, I felt very uncomfortable.
“You're weird.”
“I've been told.” He moved aside, allowing me to sit. I pulled out my books, trying to ignore him.
But Justin wasn't leaving. Instead, he leaned forward and tapped my notebook.
“What are you working on?”
“Nothing important.”
“Let me see.”
Before I could stop him, he picked up my notebook.
“Hey!” He laughed.
“You write neatly.”
“Give it back.”
“Relax.” He handed it back, but his eyes remained on me.
“You're always so serious.”
“Because I'm trying to study.”
“Then I'll help you.”
“I don't need help.”
“Everyone needs help sometimes.” I rolled my eyes. “Do you always talk this much?”
“Only when I'm interested in the person I'm talking to.” I froze for half a second. He grinned.
“I mean interested in the conversation.”
“Oh.” I quickly looked down at my book.
That was embarrassing.
Justin wasn't necessarily doing anything wrong, but there was something about his confidence that made me very uncomfortable.
Across the classroom, I noticed Kael walk in, His eyes immediately landed on us. His expression changed.
Not dramatically, just enough for me to notice.
He looked at Justin.
Then at me.
Then back at Justin. “What's going on here?” he asked. Justin leaned back casually.
“Nothing.” Kael walked closer.
“Then why are you sitting at her desk?”
Justin shrugged.
“Because I wanted to.” Kael's jaw tightened.
“You don't have a desk or what?”
“I do.”
“Then go sit there.” Justin smiled.
“Why?” Kael's eyes narrowed.
“Because I said so.” I sighed.
“Kael, it's fine. He's just sitting here.” Kael looked at me.
“Did I ask you?” My face fell slightly. There was the Kael I knew, mean for no reason.
Justin noticed it too.
He stood up.
“Don't worry, Milky. I'll leave you with your boss.”
Kael's expression darkened. “I'm not her boss.”
“Sure.” Justin walked away. I watched him go before turning back to Kael.
“What was that about?”
“Nothing.”
“You looked angry.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
“Milky.”
“What?”
“Mind your business.” I rolled my eyes.
“Everything is always my business when it concerns you.” His eyes flickered.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then the bell rang.
Kael walked to his seat.
I couldn't help but wonder why Justin's presence seemed to bother him so much. Maybe I was imagining it, maybe not.
>>>>>>>
Kael's POV
I dislike him. I didn't even know why.
Justin had been at Underwich for barely a few days, and somehow he had already managed to irritate me more than people I'd known for years.
And now he was sitting with Milky, laughing with her, touching her books, making her smile. I clenched my pen.
“Bro.”
Adrienne's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“What?”
“You've been staring at that desk for like five minutes.”
“I wasn't staring.”
“You were.” I ignored him..Adrienne followed my gaze.
“Oh.”
“What?”
“Justin.” I looked at him.
“What about him?”Adrienne shrugged.
“Nothing.”He smirked.
“You're jealous.” I scoffed.
“Of Justin?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would I be jealous of that i***t?”
“Because he's talking to Milky.”
“She's my Bully.”
Adrienne raised an eyebrow.
“And?”
“And nothing.” He laughed. “You're terrible at lying.” I glared at him.
“Shut up.” He chuckled.
“Fine.”
But I couldn't concentrate anymore, Justin kept finding ways to get around Milky.
At lunch, he carried her books, During break, he bought her a drink. In the next class, he pulled out a chair for her. And every single time, Milky thanked him.
She didn't even notice what he was doing, Or maybe she did. I hated how much it bothered me.
When the final bell rang, I saw Justin walk toward her again.
“Milky, you heading home?”
“Yes.”
“I can walk you.”
I stood immediately.
“I'll take her.” Justin looked at me.
“You?”
“Yeah.” Milky blinked.
I wasn't about to let him walk her home.
Justin smiled.
“Okay.” He stepped closer to Milky.
“Maybe another day.”
“Sure,” she replied, "I grabbed my backpack.
“Let's go.” She followed me. Once we were outside, she looked at me suspiciously.
“Wait, I'm supposed to tutor you today.” Milky said.
“I changed my mind.”
“You change your mind a lot.”
“Problem?”
“No.” She smiled faintly.
We walked silently for a few seconds.
Then she spoke. “Justin is actually nice.”
I stopped walking.
“What?”
“He's nice.”
“You barely know him.”
“Neither do you.”
“I know enough.” She laughed.
“Why don't you like him?”
“I don't.”
“You clearly don't.” I continued walking.
“He talks too much.”
“You talk more than him.”
“I don't.” She laughed again.
I glanced at her.
There it was.
That smile. The same smile I'd seen when she found the envelope, the same smile that had somehow become one of my favorite things.
I quickly looked away. Then I saw Justin standing across the road, watching us.
His expression was unreadable. Our eyes met.
He smiled, not a friendly smile.
A knowing one.
My stomach tightened. He waved at Milky, She waved back. I didn't. Justin turned and walked away. Something about that moment didn't sit right with me. I didn't know what he wanted.
But I knew one thing. He wasn't simply being friendly. And if he thought he could use Milky to get to me… He had picked the wrong person.
>>>>>>>>
Justin's POV
I walked away slowly, hands buried inside my pockets. Kael was predictable. More predictable than I expected, all I had to do was get close to her. I didn't need to confess anything. I didn't need to make her fall for me, not yet.
I just needed to make him watch. Watch me make her laugh.Watch me carry her books. Watch her smile whenever I walked into a room.
And judging from the look on his face today… It was already working. I stopped at the corner and glanced back.
Kael was still standing there.
Watching me.
I smiled.
“Patience,” I muttered to myself. He had no idea what was coming. And I wasn't going to rush it, not now.
Because revenge was always sweeter when the person didn't realize they were already losing.
Behind me, my phone buzzed, I pulled it out.
One message.
Unknown: Are you sure this is going to work?
I stared at the message for a moment before typing my reply.
Justin: Trust me. Kael will destroy himself before I even have to do anything.
I locked my phone.
And walked away.
I had all the time in the world.
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