CHAPTER 6: Where Eyes Can’t Follow
706 Words
Ariana’s POV
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I tried to avoid him the next day.
I really did.
But avoiding someone is impossible when they live in your head.
Every hallway felt smaller. Every corner felt like a place he could appear from. And every time my phone buzzed—even though I knew he didn’t have my number—I still checked.
It was ridiculous.
So after classes, I left early. I needed space. Air. Anything that didn’t remind me of him… or Vanessa.
That’s how I ended up at the old library near the edge of campus.
No one came here anymore. It was quiet, almost forgotten.
Perfect.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The scent of old books wrapped around me as silence settled in. For the first time all day, I exhaled.
Peace.
“You’re avoiding me.”
My heart skipped.
I turned.
Ethan.
Leaning against a shelf like he had been there the whole time.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
He ignored the question. “You left early.”
“So?”
“So you’re running.”
“I’m not running. I just needed space.”
“From me?”
My chest tightened. “From everything.”
He stepped closer, slow and deliberate. “You think changing locations makes a difference?”
“It does if people like you stop showing up everywhere.”
A faint hint of amusement crossed his face. “I wasn’t following you.”
“Right.”
The silence stretched.
I turned away, walking toward the window. “If you’re here to repeat your warning, don’t bother.”
“That’s not why I’m here.”
I stopped. “Then why?”
“For you.”
The words hit harder than they should have.
I turned back. “You don’t get to say things like that and then act like I’m the problem.”
He moved closer. “You’re still thinking about yesterday.”
I crossed my arms. “You almost kissed me. Of course I am.”
His jaw tightened. “I didn’t.”
“You were going to.”
Silence.
That was answer enough.
“Why did you stop?” I asked quietly.
He hesitated. Then—
“Because I shouldn’t have started.”
The words stung.
I looked away. “Then stop showing up.”
“You don’t understand what you’re getting into.”
“You keep saying that,” I snapped. “But you never explain anything.”
“I can’t.”
“Or you won’t.”
That hit. I saw it in his expression.
I turned to leave.
But his hand caught mine.
Not harsh. Just enough to stop me.
“Let go,” I said softly.
He didn’t. Not immediately.
“You keep walking away like this is simple,” he said. “It’s not.”
“Then make it make sense!” I snapped. “You pull me in and push me away. What do you want from me?”
His eyes locked on mine.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
The honesty caught me off guard.
“Why?”
He stepped closer, closing the space between us again.
“Because if I don’t push you away…” his voice dropped, “…I won’t be able to stop.”
My heart pounded. “Stop what?”
His gaze flickered to my lips again.
The same look.
Stronger this time.
“Ethan…”
I didn’t move.
Neither did he.
For a second, everything felt suspended.
Then he exhaled sharply and let go of my hand.
“You should go,” he said.
I frowned. “You’re the one who stopped me.”
“Go, Ariana.”
But I didn’t move.
Because now I understood something.
This wasn’t just about Vanessa.
This was about him.
And whatever he was trying so hard to control.
“Next time,” I said quietly, meeting his eyes, “don’t stop.”
The words surprised even me.
His expression shifted instantly.
“Ariana—”
But I was already walking away.
This time, I didn’t stop.
Didn’t look back.
But I felt it.
The tension.
The pull.
The truth I couldn’t ignore anymore—
Whatever this was between us…
It was only getting stronger.
- Writer
