Tutored Hearts

Chapter 4: Unspoken Tension

The walk across the school campus felt endless. My feet moved automatically, but my mind was stuck replaying the same scene over and over again. Flaire standing there, tears spilling down her face. The sharp echo of her hand against Kein’s cheek. The way he had just stood there, taking it, saying nothing. And then his voice, low and rough against my ear, words that had burned themselves into my memory.

“This is why I do not take things seriously. Because when you do. This is what happens.”

Why had he said that? Why had he looked at me like that? And why could I not stop thinking about it even for a second?

A sudden hard slap against my back jolted me out of my thoughts. I stumbled slightly, turning to see Zeliyah grinning at me, though her eyes held a hint of concern.

“Earth to Steve Penaflor,” she said, waving a hand in front of my face. “You have been staring at nothing for ten whole minutes. You look like you just saw a ghost. Or worse . . . a failing grade.”

I rubbed my back, forcing a small smile. “I am fine. Just thinking.”

“Thinking too much, more like,” she nudged my arm gently. “What is going on in that head of yours? You have been distant since we arrived. Did something happen yesterday?”

I opened my mouth, ready to tell her everything . . . about Flaire, about the slap, about the way Kein had looked at me and spoken to me like I was something he was trying to figure out. But before I could get a single word out, a shadow fell over us.

We both looked up. Kein was leaning casually against the doorframe of our classroom, hands in his pockets, that familiar lazy smirk playing on his lips. He pushed off the wall and walked straight toward us . . . straight past me, stopping right in front of Zeliyah.

“There you are,” he said smoothly, his voice warm and deliberate, his eyes never leaving hers. “I was starting to think you were not coming anymore. Let me walk you in. I promise I can make this boring morning worth your while.”

Zeliyah took a step back, her expression flat and unimpressed. “I can walk myself, thank you. And I am not interested.”

I stood frozen beside her, a bitter twist forming in my chest. What is he doing? I thought, watching him. He just broke up with Flaire yesterday. He let her walk away crying. And now he is here, acting like nothing happened and even flirting with Zeliyah? He really is just a playboy through and through.

“I heard you were with Flaire,” Zeliyah said plainly, crossing her arms. “Is that true? Because if you are dating her, you should not be talking to me like this.”

Kein waved a hand dismissively, as if her name meant nothing at all. “Flaire and I were never anything serious. Just a little fun. Nothing worth making a fuss over.”

Something snapped inside me. Before I could stop myself, the words were already out.

“Is that what you call it?” I said sharply, stepping forward. “Everyone knows you, Kein. You are the playboy of this university. You go from one person to the next like they mean nothing. You really expect anyone to believe you ever take anything seriously?”

Kein’s attention shifted instantly. The playful charm vanished from his face, replaced by something darker, sharper, focused entirely on me. He took a slow step closer until there was barely any space between us.

“Careful, Penaflor,” he murmured, his voice dropping low, sending a strange shiver down my spine. “You sound jealous, baby boy.”

My face burned hot. “What did you just call me?”

He tilted his head, that half-smile returning . . . slower, more deliberate. “Oh. I mean, Mr. Penaflor.”

Zeliyah let out a quiet, teasing giggle beside me. “Oh wow. The tension here is thick enough to cut with a knife. Are you two done staring daggers at each other or should I give you a moment?”

She grabbed my hand firmly before I could reply, pulling me past him toward the classroom door. “Come on Steve. Let us go inside before we all catch fire.”

The day went by smoothly but every time I glanced toward the back of the room, Kein was already looking at me . . . no smirk, no comment, just that heavy, unreadable gaze that made my heart race for reasons I refused to understand.

When the final bell rang, we packed our things and headed for the gates. But before we could step outside, Kein was there again, leaning against the wall as if he had been waiting all day.

He pushed off and walked straight to Zeliyah once more.

“Leaving so soon?” he said smoothly. “I was hoping I could walk you home. I know a place that sells the best milkshakes . . .”

“I am not interested, Kein,” Zeliyah said simply, walking right past him without slowing down.

I stopped, my patience finally snapping. “That is enough,” I said firmly, stepping between them. “We have a major group project due before intrams. You were told to cooperate with me. To take this seriously. And instead you are just here flirting with my friend and not even bothered to ask me about it?”

Kein turned to me, the playfulness fading completely from his eyes. “Oh, so now we are talking about the project? I thought you were too busy being jealous.”

“I am not jealous,” I shot back, stepping closer, my voice rising. “I am just tired of you forcing yourself on Zeliyah like you are thirsty for love. A love you do not even know the meaning of. Do you even know what real love is? And besides I know Zeliyah will pick me over you so stop saying that I am jealous.”

Kein’s jaw tightened. He leaned in, his voice dropping low and sharp. “And you think being perfect makes you better? You walk around like you have it all figured out, like you are above everyone else. And do not lecture me about love. You are too perfect to understand that term. I think you should call it benefit rather than love on your side.”

For a heartbeat neither of us breathed. We stood inches apart, eyes locked, every word hanging heavy and raw between us.

Zeliyah cleared her throat loudly, breaking the moment. “Excuse me? Are you two done eye f*****g each other in the middle of the gate? Because I actually want to go home.”

I pulled back sharply, heat rushing to my face. Kein did not look away. He just held my gaze, harder now, sharper, a glare that said I see every part of you you try to hide.

“Is there something going on between you two that I do not know about?” Zeliyah added grinning, looking back and forth between us. “Because this is way more intense than just project partners.”

Kein let out a short laugh, leaning back against the wall. “Relax. I am not into boys anyway. I do not have any interest in playing swords in bed, if you catch my drift.”

Heat rushed to my face, but I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze. “And I am straight too. And even if I were not, you would not be anywhere near my standards.”

Kein’s eyes darkened, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Is that so? Well for your information, I am straight like a noodle . . . nice and firm, and definitely not interested in anything else.”

Silence engulfed us again until I was the one who broke the eye contact.

“About the project,” I said, my voice tighter than before. “Tomorrow is Saturday. Ten in the morning. My apartment. No games. No distractions. Just work. And if you do not show up, I will tell Mr. Torres exactly why.”

Kein let out a short, bitter laugh. “Threatening me now? Fine. I will be there. But do not act like you are doing me a favor. You are just as stuck with me as I am with you.”

“I am not stuck,” I fired back, meeting his glare head-on. “I am doing what needs to be done. Something you clearly know nothing about.”

He stepped even closer. “Do not worry your pretty little head,” he replied smoothly, his eyes never leaving mine. “I will try to contribute. I promise I will not let you carry everything alone.”

The air crackled between us. No teasing now. No jokes. Just two boys pushing each other, testing each other, neither willing to back down.

Zeliyah grabbed my hand firmly. “Let us go Steve before you two actually start throwing punches.”

As we turned to leave, Kein called out, sharp and clear behind me. “Ten o’clock. Do not be late opening your door, baby boy.” Then his voice changed to soft and light. “And Zeliyah . . . if you change your mind about that milkshake, you know where to find me!”

We walked in silence for a while before Zeliyah spoke.

“You know,” she said quietly, glancing at me. “That was not normal. The way you two look at each other. The things you say. It is like something is definitely up, isn't it?”

I looked away, staring at the path ahead. “He is just... difficult. And annoying. And he acts like nothing matters.”

“Or maybe,” Zeliyah said softly