CHAPTER 5: Too Close
777 Words
Ariana’s POV
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Ethan didn’t let go of my wrist until we were far from the noise.
The chatter of students faded behind us as he led me into a quieter part of campus, where everything felt still. When he finally stopped, the silence made everything sharper—his presence, his grip, the way my heart refused to calm down.
He released me.
I exhaled, rubbing my wrist as I stepped back. “What is wrong with you? You can’t just drag me around like that.”
He didn’t answer immediately. His eyes stayed on me, intense, unreadable.
“Why were you arguing with her?” he asked.
I let out a short laugh. “She started it.”
“I know.”
I frowned. “Then why ask?”
“Because you don’t know when to stop.”
That irritated me. “I’m not scared of her.”
“That’s the problem.”
Silence fell again—heavy, uncomfortable.
“You think I should stay quiet because she’s rich?” I asked. “I’ve dealt with worse.”
His gaze sharpened. “Worse?”
I hesitated, then sighed. “I didn’t grow up like this. My mom works two jobs. Everything we have… she fought for it. And I got here because I had no choice but to work for it too.”
I met his eyes. “So no, I won’t let someone like her talk down to me.”
He didn’t judge. He just watched.
“Then stop pretending you don’t care,” he said quietly.
“I don’t,” I replied quickly.
He stepped closer.
The space between us disappeared too fast. My breath hitched, but I didn’t move.
“You do,” he said, voice lower. “You just don’t show it.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“Neither do you.”
Something in his tone changed—less cold, more real.
“My father built everything from nothing,” he said. “And he expects perfection. No mistakes. No weakness.”
I studied him. “So that’s why you act like nothing gets to you?”
“I never said nothing does.”
The way he said it made my chest tighten.
“And what gets to you?” I asked before I could stop myself.
His expression shifted.
He stepped closer again until there was barely any space left. I could feel his warmth, his breath, the tension pulling tight between us.
“You really want to know?” he asked quietly.
My heart pounded, but I didn’t step back.
His hand lifted, brushing lightly against my cheek.
The touch was soft—but it sent a sharp wave through me. My breath caught.
For a second, everything stilled.
His gaze dropped to my lips.
It felt like he was going to kiss me.
And I didn’t stop him.
But just as quickly, he pulled away.
“This is exactly what I mean,” he said, his voice colder now.
Confusion hit instantly. “What are you talking about?”
“You don’t understand what you’re getting into.”
“And you do?”
“Yes.”
The certainty frustrated me.
“Stay away from Vanessa,” he added.
“That sounds like a warning.”
“It is.”
He turned slightly, running a hand through his hair. For a moment, his control slipped—just enough to show frustration.
“Why do you even care?” I asked softly.
He looked back at me, no hesitation this time.
“Because you’re already in deeper than you think.”
The words settled heavily between us.
And for the first time since I got here…
I wasn’t sure I could walk away from this.
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Ethan’s POV
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I shouldn’t have touched her.
From the moment I pulled her away, I knew I was crossing a line. I don’t involve myself in things that don’t concern me.
But Ariana was becoming one.
She didn’t react like others. She didn’t try to fit in or seek attention. She just… stayed herself.
And that made her stand out.
When she spoke about her life, I listened more than I should have. There was no pretense—just truth. She was fighting for something real.
And I noticed.
That was the problem.
When she asked what gets to me, I should have walked away.
But I didn’t.
And when I touched her—
For a moment, I almost lost control.
That doesn’t happen.
Not to me.
Which means she’s not just a distraction.
She’s a risk.
And the worst part is…
I’m not sure I want to avoid her.
- Writer
