Jealousy
381 Words
Aliyah had spent most of the day avoiding her phone.
She knew Luke would message eventually.
And he did.
It started with a simple “Hey,” at around noon.
Luke:“Aliyah… can we talk?”
Aliyah stared at the screen. She hesitated, then typed back.
Aliyah: “About?”
Luke: “About last night. About us.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to reply.
But curiosity—and maybe a little hope—got the better of her.
Aliyah: “Go on.”
---
A few minutes later, Luke appeared at her boarding house, looking slightly nervous.
Luke: “Hi…”
Aliyah: “Hi.”
Silence fell between them for a moment.
Luke: “I… I’m sorry, Aliyah. I didn’t mean for you to see that message.”
Aliyah: “You didn’t think I’d worry? Or get jealous?”
Luke rubbed the back of his neck.
Luke: “I didn’t expect it to hurt you. I was just… hanging out with friends.”
Aliyah: “Your friends include girls too, Luke. And you never told me!”
Luke: “I know. I messed up.”
Aliyah crossed her arms.
Aliyah: “You’ve been messing up a lot lately.”
Luke’s eyes softened.
Luke: “Look, I know I made mistakes. But… I don’t want to lose you. Not now. Not ever.”
Aliyah bit her lip.
Aliyah: “You should’ve thought of that before.”
Luke stepped closer.
Luke: “I know. But I’m here now. Can you forgive me?”
Aliyah’s phone buzzed. It was Zid.
Zid: “Hey, Aliyah! Want to meet up later? I can drop by your dorm.”
Aliyah glanced at Luke.
Aliyah (thinking): *He’s going to see this message… he’s going to be jealous.*
Sure enough, Luke noticed the name pop up on her screen.
Luke (grinning teasingly): “Zid? Is he… trying to take me away?”
Aliyah rolled her eyes.
Aliyah: “Don’t be dramatic.”
Luke: “Dramatic? Me? I’m just… curious. You know, seeing if my girlfriend is flirting with someone else.”
Aliyah laughed softly.
Aliyah: “You’re ridiculous.”
Luke shook his head, still smiling.
Luke: “I am. But… it’s part of why I care about you so much.”
- Writer
