It was supposed to be an ordinary day.
But nothing was ordinary when it came to Ethan, Lena, and the lodge gossip.
Lena had just finished her morning classes and was walking toward the dining hall when a sudden hush fell over the corridor. Whispers followed her every step.
And then… she saw Maya.
Her heart stopped.
Maya's sharp eyes scanned the hall, then locked onto Lena's. A smirk formed, subtle but dangerous. Lena froze, panic coiling in her stomach.
"Lena," Maya called out, her tone deceptively sweet. "We need to talk."
The cafeteria suddenly felt too small. Too hot.
Lena swallowed, forcing a calm she didn't feel. "Sure… about what?"
Maya tilted her head, lips tight. "Don't play dumb. I know about last night. And the night before. And probably all the nights Ethan's room has seen you sneak in."
Lena's stomach dropped. She had feared this moment, but facing it was worse than she imagined.
"I—It's not what it looks like," she started, but Maya cut her off.
"Oh, it's exactly what it looks like," Maya said, her voice low and sharp. "You think you can just… cozy up to him while I'm away? That you can flirt with him, kiss him, and nothing will happen?"
Lena's throat went dry. "Maya… it's complicated. Ethan—"
"Save it," Maya snapped. "I've been cheated on before. I know the signs. And yes… I trusted you two. And clearly, I shouldn't have."
The words hit Lena like a punch. She couldn't even find a way to defend herself.
"I… I didn't…" she started, but Maya shook her head.
"You didn't what? Care about anyone's feelings? Care about Ethan's relationship? Or your own?"
Lena opened her mouth, but no words came.
That afternoon, Ethan found her sitting alone in the library, head buried in her notebook.
"Lena…" he said softly, kneeling beside her.
Her eyes met his, filled with guilt and fear. "Maya… she knows."
Ethan's jaw tightened. His calm demeanor faltered for the first time. "She… found out?"
"Yes." Lena's voice was small. "She… she's furious."
Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it. Lena… this wasn't supposed to happen."
"I know," she whispered. "I… I didn't mean for it to."
He reached for her hand, holding it gently. "You didn't do anything wrong. I should've been more careful. I… I like you, Lena. You know that, right?"
Her eyes widened. "You… you do?"
He nodded, a pained expression crossing his face. "I do. But timing… timing's never been on our side."
Her chest ached, but she knew he was right. The timing was wrong. But the feelings—they weren't.
That night, they sat in silence, both aware that the secret was out, both terrified of what it might mean for the rest of the school.
And for the first time, Lena realized that being close to him wasn't just dangerous—it was unavoidable.
They were tethered together, inescapably, despite everything.
Watch out for the next volume cause it's going to be more spicier, secrets revealed, break up happens as Maya cheats on Ethan with her Ex. Let's see what unfolds between Lena and Ethan as their friendship turns more intimate, leading to emotional and steamy moments.