Elena had spent the entire day avoiding Joel.
She walked faster in the corridors. Took the longer route to the canteen. Even skipped badminton practice, just to stay out of his line of sight.
But fate had other plans.
As she exited the library, hugging a stack of books, she turned the corner—and froze.
Joel was leaning against the wall near the stairwell, waiting. Like he knew.
"Elena," he said, slow and smug. "We need to talk about your... sudden affection."
She narrowed her eyes. "It was an accident."
"Sure," he said, pushing off the wall. "But if you ever want to sit on my lap again, I'd appreciate a warning. Might bring a cushion."
She groaned. "You're insufferable."
He walked beside her now, casually matching her pace. "You've been dodging me like I'm contagious."
"Because talking to you is like arguing with a toddler who plays guitar."
"Ouch." He clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me."
She rolled her eyes, quickening her steps. "I don't have time for this."
He grabbed her arm—gently, not forcefully—and stopped her.
She turned, surprised by the sudden seriousness in his eyes.
"Hey," he said, voice lower now. "I'm messing with you, yeah. But I'm not going to pretend I didn't notice something changed that day."
She hesitated.
"I saw the way you looked when you thought no one was watching," he added. "Not the part where you tripped. The part before that."
Elena swallowed.
"I don't know what you're hiding behind your neat little world," he said, letting go of her arm. "But I'm not going to stop noticing."
Then, just like that, he smiled again—cocky, carefree, but somehow gentler than before.
"See you in class, angel."
And with a wink, he walked away.
Leaving Elena in the hallway, heart pounding—and unsure if it was from irritation or something much more dangerous.