Chapter 12: Unraveling Strings

Ariana couldn't focus for the rest of the day.

She barely heard what the professors were saying, barely touched her food at lunch, and barely responded when Damien made one of his usual sarcastic remarks.

Her thoughts were elsewhere.

Leila.

Ethan.

The way she said his name.

It shouldn't have bothered her this much.

But it did.

And that was a problem.

—

Later that evening, Ariana found herself parked outside a small café near campus, gripping the steering wheel too tightly.

Leila was inside.

With him.

She wasn't sure why she had followed them.

She told herself it was just curiosity.

But deep down, she knew it was something else.

Inside, Leila laughed at something Ethan said, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.

Ariana exhaled sharply.

Why was Leila letting herself get tangled up with someone like him?

Why did it feel like she was slipping further and further away?

A soft knock on her car window made her jump.

She turned—and froze.

Leila.

Standing outside, arms crossed, one brow raised.

Busted.

Ariana swallowed and rolled down the window. "What?"

Leila tilted her head. "Are you stalking me now?"

Ariana scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."

Leila smirked. "Then what are you doing here?"

Ariana hesitated.

Leila leaned closer, resting her arms on the edge of the window. "You know, if you want to join us, you can just say so."

Ariana's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "That's not why I'm here."

Leila hummed. "Then why?"

Ariana's jaw clenched. "Because I don't trust him."

Leila's expression shifted, amusement fading. "And why do you care so much?"

Ariana stayed silent.

Leila sighed, stepping back. "You keep pushing me away, Ariana."

Ariana's breath hitched.

Leila's voice softened. "But somehow, you're always watching me."

Ariana didn't have an answer for that.

Leila gave her one last look before turning back toward the café.

Ariana watched her go, feeling something tighten in her chest.

And this time, she couldn't ignore it.