POV: Mateo
Mateo had been on his way to the library when he saw them.
Ethan and Maya, standing too close outside South Hall. Close enough that anyone watching could see they were breaking Dean Thorne's distance rule. Close enough that the body language between them was obvious.
Of course. Of course he couldn't just leave her alone like we're supposed to.
Mateo should have kept walking. Should have minded his own business. But his feet stopped moving, and he found himself standing behind a pillar, watching.
He told himself it was just concern. Making sure Maya was okay after Madison's stunt at practice. But that was a lie and he knew it.
I just want to see if she's alright. That's all.
Except it wasn't all. Because watching Ethan talk to her, watching the way she looked at him, hurt more than Mateo wanted to admit.
