Chapter 18 – Too Obvious to Ignore

(Morana's POV)

Hael had the most annoying smirkon his face.

Which meant i was about to hate whatever came out of his mouth.

"So," he drawled, "are we gonna talk about it?"

I sighed. "Talk about what?"

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "You. Staring at Astria like she stole your lunch."

I scowled. "I wasn't staring."

Hael grinned. "Oh, you were staring."

I groaned, shoving my hands in my pockets. "I don't care about her."

He snorted. "Uh-huh. That's why you've been acting all weird since that night."

I rolled my eyes. "You're imagining things."

Hael clicked his tongue. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that."

I ignored him.

Or at least, I tried to.

But then he added, "You do realize she was jealous, right?"

I froze. "What?"

Hael shrugged. "Astria. She saw you laughing with me and looked like she was gonna explode."

I blinked.

No.

That wasn't—

She wasn't—

Hael grinned. "You're thinking about it now, huh?"

I shoved him. "Shut up."

He just laughed.

And for the first time, I wasn't sure if I hated the idea.

Meanwhile…(Astria's POV)

Aurelle tapped her fingers against the table, eyes sharp.

"You're thinking about her again," she said.

I tensed. "No, I'm not."

Aurelle gave me a look. "Astria."

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "She's just—irritating."

Aurelle hummed. "Right. That's why you keep looking for her."

"I don't—"

"She's over there."

I immediately turned my head.

And froze.

Because Morana and Hael were looking right at us.

And worse?

They saw everything.