Part Eleven: The Kiss and the Confrontation
It was late afternoon, and the school courtyard was almost empty. Anna Rosé was walking alone along the garden path, enjoying the soft breeze. She didn't notice Ethan until he appeared from behind a tree, leaning casually against it, his signature smirk in place.
"Hey, Anna," he said, voice smooth, almost teasing. "Walking alone? That's dangerous."
Anna felt her cheeks flush. "It's fine… I like the quiet."
Ethan stepped closer, his presence magnetic. "Quiet is boring," he said softly. "Especially when I'm around."
Before she could respond, Ethan brushed a stray hair from her face. His hand lingered, and his eyes locked onto hers. For a moment, everything around them seemed to fade—the setting sun, the empty courtyard, the distant chatter.
Then, almost gently, he leaned in and kissed her.
Anna froze, her heart hammering, then felt a warmth spread through her chest. It was brief, but it left a spark she couldn't ignore.
From the nearby corridor, Nick had been walking and stopped dead. He saw the kiss, his stomach twisting, his fists clenching in fury. Rage and jealousy surged through him as he ran toward them.
"Ethan! What the hell are you doing?" Nick shouted, his voice cutting through the quiet air.
Ethan stepped back, hands raised calmly. "Relax, Nick. She kissed me too. She's not a child. She made her choice."
Nick's face was red with anger. "You're trapping her in your dirty, playful games! Stay away from her, Ethan!"
Ethan smirked, tilting his head. "Nick… she's not yours to protect. Why are you so worried? Don't you trust her?"
"It's not about trust!" Nick snapped. "You're manipulating her, using her feelings as a game. I won't allow it."
Anna stood frozen between them, heart racing, feeling torn. The air was tense, heavy with anger, attraction, and fear.
Ethan turned to Anna, serious now. "Anna, listen. This isn't a game. I care about you. I'm not stopping, and you should know… you're not just anyone to me."
Nick's voice was desperate. "Anna, please… don't let him play with your heart. I care about you more than you know."
The courtyard fell silent. Anna's heart beat wildly as she realized how deep the storm of emotions surrounding her had become—between Ethan's charm and Nick's intensity, she didn't know where to turn.