Chapter 3[ End]

It had been weeks since Gabriel's injury during their gym class, and while the competition between him and Ian had only grown fiercer, something else had changed. The air between them was different. The tension wasn't just academic-it was personal, almost electric, and everyone in Class 1-A could feel it.

Ian had been spending more time with Gabriel lately. At first, it was to make sure he wasn't slacking off after his injury, but somewhere along the line, Ian realized it wasn't just about keeping tabs on his rival. He liked being around Gabriel, even if the other boy drove him insane with his teasing remarks and smug smiles.

But today, something new stirred inside Ian-something sharp and unfamiliar.

Ian sat at his desk, his grip on his pencil tightening as he stared blankly at the Math problems in front of him. He'd seen it with his own eyes. The girl, shy and blushing, handing Gabriel a love letter. Gabriel, with that infuriatingly charming smile, accepted it without hesitation, causing the girl to practically melt in front of him.

'Why does it bother me so much?' Ian thought to himself, feeling a strange heat rising inside his chest.

Gabriel had received confessions before. Plenty, in fact. But this time, it felt different to Ian. He couldn't focus on anything else. All he could see in his mind was that smile of Gabriel's as he took the letter-that smile that was usually reserved for him during their teasing banter.

"Hey," Gabriel's voice interrupted Ian's thoughts, and Ian looked up, startled to find Gabriel standing beside his desk.

"What do you want?" Ian snapped, a little harsher than he intended.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow, his expression amused as usual. "You're unusually grumpy today. Something bothering you?"

Ian scoffed, pretending to go back to his notes. "Nothing that concerns you."

Gabriel smirked, leaning down so their faces were closer. "You sure about that?"

Ian stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Before Gabriel could respond, one of their classmates suddenly called out, "Hey, Gabriel, how did the confession go? Are you going to give her a reply?"

Ian's chest tightened. He didn't want to hear the answer. His hand clenched the pencil harder, a knot forming in his stomach.

Gabriel glanced at the classmate and then back at Ian, his smile softening. "I'm not interested in her," Gabriel said casually, standing up straight again. "I've got my eye on someone else."

The words hit Ian like a shock to his system. He didn't know what he had expected Gabriel to say, but hearing that was... something he hadn't prepared for. He looked up sharply, but Gabriel was already walking away, leaving Ian more confused-and frustrated-than ever.

---

The day dragged on, but Ian couldn't get Gabriel's words out of his head. Who? Who did Gabriel have his eye on? And why did the idea of Gabriel liking someone else make Ian feel so uneasy?

After school, Ian found himself lingering in the classroom longer than usual. He told himself it was to finish up some notes, but deep down, he knew he was waiting for Gabriel.

Sure enough, Gabriel appeared at the door, leaning against the frame with his usual relaxed posture. "You're still here?"

Ian didn't look up, keeping his eyes on the paper in front of him. "I'm busy."

"Busy avoiding me?" Gabriel asked, his voice teasing as he sauntered into the room.

Ian huffed. "Why would I be avoiding you?"

Gabriel chuckled softly, moving closer until he was standing right next to Ian's desk. "You tell me. You've been acting weird ever since this morning."

Ian's jaw tightened. He didn't want to admit it, not even to himself, but Gabriel was right. He had been acting weird.

Gabriel lowered himself into the seat in front of Ian, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at him. "Is it because of the letter?"

Ian's head snapped up, meeting Gabriel's gaze head-on. "Why would that bother me?"

A slow, knowing smile spread across Gabriel's lips. "Because you're jealous."

Ian froze, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'm not jealous," he lied, but his voice was tight, the words feeling foreign on his tongue.

Gabriel leaned closer, his smile turning softer, more intimate. "You don't have to be. I told you, I'm not interested in her."

"Then who are you interested in?" Ian asked before he could stop himself, his voice betraying the vulnerability he was desperately trying to hide.

For a moment, Gabriel didn't say anything. He just looked at Ian, his brown eyes searching Ian's face as if trying to decide something.

Then, slowly, he stood up and moved even closer, standing right beside Ian's desk. "You really don't know, do you?" Gabriel murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ian's throat went dry. "Gabriel..."

Before Ian could finish, Gabriel bent down, his face just inches from Ian's. His breath ghosted over Ian's lips, and Ian felt his heart lurch in his chest.

"Ian," Gabriel whispered, his voice soft but firm. "I've been interested in you since the day I transferred here."

Ian's eyes widened, his mind struggling to process what he was hearing. "What?"

Gabriel's lips quirked into a small, almost shy smile. "I've liked you from the start. The rivalry, the banter, it was fun, but... it's always been you."

Ian's breath hitched, and before he could think, he grabbed Gabriel's wrist, pulling him closer. Their faces were inches apart now, their breaths mingling in the space between them.

"Say that again," Ian demanded, his voice rough, his heart racing.

Gabriel chuckled softly, his free hand coming up to rest against Ian's cheek. "I like you, Ian."

That was all Ian needed to hear.

In a swift movement, Ian tugged Gabriel down the rest of the way, capturing his lips in a firm, almost desperate kiss. Gabriel's eyes fluttered closed as he melted into the kiss, his hand sliding from Ian's cheek to his neck, pulling him closer.

Ian deepened the kiss, his grip on Gabriel tightening as if he were afraid Gabriel might disappear if he let go. The kiss was rough, passionate, but there was something else there, too-something that had been building between them for weeks.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless. Gabriel rested his forehead against Ian's, his lips curved into a soft smile.

"Ian," Gabriel whispered, his voice barely audible, "you have no idea how long I've wanted this."

Ian smirked, his thumb brushing lightly over Gabriel's lips. "Then stop playing around and stay by my side."

Gabriel's smile widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You're so bossy."

Ian huffed, pulling Gabriel into another kiss, this one slower, more tender. "Get used to it," he muttered against Gabriel's lips.

Gabriel laughed softly, his arms wrapping around Ian's shoulders. "I think I already have."

For the first time in weeks, the tension between them had finally broken, replaced by something far more powerful. And as they stood there in the quiet, empty classroom, the rest of the world faded away, leaving only the two of them-rivals, yes, but so much more than that.

Fin.