CHAPTER 15: HINTS OF JEALOUSY

Cassian pushed himself off the bed, running a hand through his damp hair. "I’m gonna go change. We’ve still got classes, remember?" He didn’t wait for either of them to respond, just slipped out and headed to his room.

Aiden’s POV

Aiden’s gaze followed Cassian until the door shut, then he let out a long sigh. Slowly, he yanked his wrist free from Leonel’s grip and turned on him, his expression unreadable.

"What do you think about Cassian?"

Leonel tilted his head, brows lifting just slightly. "Didn’t I tell you yesterday? He’s not-"

"I don’t mean like that." Aiden cut him off, voice sharper than intended. He leaned forward a little, eyes burning into Leonel’s. "I’m talking about you being... possessive. Just now you didn’t like me holding him. I saw it. You were glaring."

Silence stretched between them. Leonel didn’t flinch. He just stared back, gaze heavy, unreadable. Then his lips curved into the faintest smirk.

"What about you?" he countered quietly. "You didn’t like seeing him in my arms last night. That’s why you dumped water on us, wasn’t it? You were jealous too."

Aiden’s fists clenched at his sides. His chest rose and fell once, twice, before he finally muttered, "Never mind," and turned away. He didn’t want to play this game with Leonel. Not when he wasn’t sure of the answer himself.

As he walked down the hall toward his room, he passed Cassian’s door still cracked open. Out of habit, his eyes flicked inside.

Cassian stood in front of the mirror, tugging an oversized black hoodie over his head, arms flailing like a kid fighting with his clothes. His hair was sticking out in every direction. Aiden felt his lips tug into an unwilling smile before he tore his gaze away and slipped into his own room.

Cassian’s POV

I finally yanked the hoodie down and looked at my reflection, cheeks still faintly pink. My head was a mess.

Ugh, why do I remember climbing on top of Leonel?!

My face burned hotter. What was I even thinking? What if he thinks I...

"Fuck, fuck, what should I do now?" I muttered under my breath, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

By the time I trudged downstairs, I was already sulking. "I’m so screwed," I whispered.

And of course, standing right at the door, arms folded casually, was Leonel.

I blinked at him and then at the shirt he was wearing. My shirt.

"Wait... hey! Isn’t that mine?"

Leonel looked down like he hadn’t even noticed. "This? Yeah, it was in your closet. I didn’t have anything else to wear."

"You should’ve asked," I said, half teasing, half serious, stepping closer. My hand shot out, tugging at the hem. "C’mon, give it back."

Leonel’s ears turned pink, though his face stayed unreadable. "No."

"Oh, really?" I grinned, tugging harder. "Guess I’ll just take it off you myself then."

His hand caught my wrist before I could pull again. In a swift motion, he yanked me closer so close our noses almost brushed. My breath hitched as his voice dropped, low and dangerous.

"Do you want me to silence you like yesterday?"

I froze, the words crashing over me. My face flamed. "Y-yester...day? Silence... me?" I stammered, wide-eyed and completely lost.

Leonel’s lips parted, like he was about to clarify or maybe not clarify at all when another voice cut in.

Aiden.

Standing at the doorway, watching us.

"Are you both done?"