The next day was with an air of tension that lingered in the halls of Kingston University. Students buzzed with chatter about the mysterious visitor who had swept Elena off her feet the previous afternoon. Whispers followed her wherever she went, and even though she kept her head high, Elena could feel the weight of their curious stares.
Gabriel leaned against the locker outside the library, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. His thoughts were a whirlwind of frustration, confusion, and a strange, unshakable feeling he couldn’t quite name. Andrew stood beside him, less brooding but no less intrigued.
“Are you planning to talk to her or just stand here like a statue?” Andrew finally asked, raising an eyebrow.
Gabriel shot him a glare. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”
Andrew smirked. “I would, but you’re making it everyone’s business with that face of yours. Just admit it you’re dying to know who that guy was.”
Gabriel pushed off the wall, his jaw tightening. “It’s not about him. It’s about her. She’s… distracted.”
Andrew chuckled, shaking his head. “Distracted, huh? That’s what we’re calling it now?”
Before Gabriel could respond, the library doors opened, and Elena stepped out, her arms full of books. She looked tired but determined, her focus entirely on the notes in her hands. Gabriel and Andrew exchanged a glance before falling into step behind her.
“Elena,” Gabriel called, his tone sharper than he intended.
She stopped abruptly, nearly dropping her books. Turning around, she met his gaze with a mixture of surprise and annoyance.
“What is it?” she asked, her voice steady despite the irritation flashing in her eyes.
Gabriel crossed his arms. “We need to talk.”
Andrew nodded in agreement, though his approach was far less intense. “Yeah, Elena. Who was that guy yesterday? You seemed pretty happy to see him.”
Elena’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away, clearly caught off guard. “That’s none of your business,” she replied curtly, clutching her books tighter.
Gabriel’s expression darkened. “It became our business when you ran off in the middle of lunch and ignored everyone. Don’t you think we deserve an explanation?”
Elena sighed, her frustration mounting. “Deserve? Since when do I owe you anything, Gabriel?”
Andrew held up his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, no need to bite our heads off. We’re just curious. You’re usually so… reserved. But yesterday, you were practically glowing.”
Her blush deepened, and she shifted uncomfortably. “It was Aiden,” she admitted quietly, hoping that would be enough to end the conversation.
Gabriel frowned. “Aiden? Who’s Aiden?”
“He’s a close friend,” Elena replied, her tone defensive. “He’s been there for me when no one else was.”
Andrew tilted his head. “A close friend, huh? He didn’t look like just a friend to me.”
Elena glared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Gabriel took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “It means the way he hugged you, the way he kissed your forehead-it didn’t look platonic.”
Elena’s heart raced, both from anger and the overwhelming pressure of their scrutiny. “You don’t know anything about him,” she said, her voice trembling. “He’s like family to me.”
“Family doesn’t make you blush like that,” Gabriel shot back, his frustration spilling over.
Elena clenched her fists, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “Why does it even matter to you, Gabriel? Why do you care so much?”
For a moment, Gabriel was silent, his jaw tightening as he searched for an answer he wasn’t ready to admit. Andrew watched the exchange with growing interest, his usual smirk replaced by genuine curiosity.
“It doesn’t,” Gabriel finally muttered, though his tone betrayed his words. “I just don’t want you getting distracted. Exams are coming up, and we can’t afford for you to lose focus.”
Elena stared at him, her anger softening into disbelief. “That’s what this is about? My focus?”
Gabriel avoided her gaze, his shoulders stiff. Andrew chuckled, shaking his head. “Smooth, Gabriel. smooth.”
“Shut up, Andrew,” Gabriel snapped, shooting him a warning glare.
Elena sighed, her frustration giving way to exhaustion. “I don’t have time for this. I have to study.”
She turned to leave, but Gabriel reached out, grabbing her wrist. The contact sent a jolt through both of them, and Elena froze, her eyes wide as she looked back at him.
“Elena,” he said softly, his voice losing its earlier edge. “Just… be careful, okay?”
For a moment, she saw something in his eyes something unguarded. It made her chest tighten, and she quickly pulled her hand away, breaking the moment.
“I can take care of myself,” she said quietly before walking away.
Gabriel watched her go, his frustration and confusion swirling inside him. Andrew clapped him on the shoulder, a teasing grin back on his face.
“Looks like someone’s got it bad,” he said lightly.
Gabriel shoved his hand away, glaring at him. “Don’t you have studying to do?”
Andrew laughed, walking off with a casual wave. “Good luck, Romeo.”
Meanwhile, Elena retreated to the quiet sanctuary of the library, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Seeing Aiden had brought her so much comfort, but now Gabriel’s words lingered in her mind, making her question things she didn’t want to face.
In the corner of the library, Adrian sat with his laptop, his sharp eyes fixed on the entrance. He had witnessed the entire exchange, and though his expression remained composed, his mind was anything but.
“Elena,” he murmured to himself, his tone unreadable. “What are you hiding?”