Chapter 6
312 Words
Shadows and Confessions
By mid-semester, the triangle had become obvious — to everyone except Ethan. Even to their roommates who were rarely around
Leo walked him to class almost daily, offering to carry his books. Adrian, in turn, started showing up unexpectedly — pulling Ethan away for meals, joining study sessions uninvited.
To Ethan, it felt like his life was suddenly very busy. To everyone else, it was painfully clear that two guys were circling around him.
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One rainy afternoon, Leo and Ethan shared an umbrella on their way back from class.
“You always forget yours,” Leo said gently, shifting the umbrella so Ethan wouldn’t get wet.
Ethan grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, I guess I’m hopeless.”
Leo looked at him for a long moment, his voice soft. “Not hopeless. Just… someone worth looking after.”
Ethan’s cheeks warmed, though he quickly brushed it off. “Thanks, Leo.”
They didn’t notice Adrian standing under the dorm awning, watching. His fists clenched inside his jacket pockets.
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That night, Ethan returned to his dorm to find a folded paper slipped under the door. He frowned, picking it up.
Inside, written in messy ink, were the words:
“Stay away from Adrian if you know what’s good for you.”
Ethan’s stomach dropped.
Before he could process it, Adrian walked in, dripping from the rain. He glanced at Ethan, then at the note in his hand.
For once, Adrian’s smile vanished completely.
“Who gave you that?” His voice was low, dangerous.
Ethan’s throat went dry. “I—I don’t know. It was under the door.”
Adrian’s eyes darkened as he crumpled the paper in his fist. “They won’t touch you. I’ll make sure of it.”
Ethan stared, confused and unnerved. Who is “they”? And what exactly is Adrian hiding?
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