Chapter 5
335 Words
Between Two
The next week, Ethan found himself spending more time with Leo. They studied together in the library, shared meals between classes, and laughed over dumb memes Leo showed him on his phone.
“You always look so serious,” Leo teased one afternoon, nudging Ethan’s shoulder. “Relax. College isn’t just about grades.”
Ethan smiled faintly. “Easy for you to say.”
Leo tilted his head, watching him a little too long. “You’re interesting, you know that?”
Ethan blinked, confused. “Interesting? Me? I’m boring.”
Leo shook his head. “Not to me.”
Ethan laughed awkwardly, missing the weight behind Leo’s words.
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But Adrian didn’t miss it.
When he walked into the library that evening and spotted Ethan and Leo sitting side by side, laughing over a shared textbook, something sharp twisted in his chest.
He strolled over casually, placing a hand on Ethan’s chair. “There you are, puppy. I was wondering where you’d run off to.”
Ethan looked up, surprised. “Adrian? You’re never in the library.”
Adrian smirked. “Guess I’m full of surprises.” His gaze flicked briefly to Leo, cool and assessing.
Leo, polite as ever, offered a small nod. “Hey. You’re Adrian, right? Ethan’s roommate?”
Adrian’s smirk widened, though his eyes held no warmth. “That’s me. Roommate. And friend.” His tone lingered possessively on the last word.
Ethan blinked at the tension he didn’t understand. “Um… should we get back to studying?”
Adrian plopped into the seat on Ethan’s other side, leaning close. “Sure. Wouldn’t want my puppy getting distracted.”
Leo’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Ethan, of course, remained oblivious.
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That night, Ethan laughed while telling Adrian about how Leo had helped him figure out a tough assignment. Adrian dark, staring at the ceiling. He didn’t know which unsettled him more — Leo’s interest in Ethan, or the feeling of eyes still watching him from somewhere beyond the dorm.
- Writer
