Chapter 21: Losing the Upper Hand

Ariana told herself she wouldn't look.

She wouldn't care.

She wouldn't think about how Leila had walked away without a second glance.

But the problem was—she did.

She noticed the way Leila laughed at something Ethan said, even though it wasn't funny.

She noticed the way Ethan leaned in, like he was suddenly more interesting than he had ever been before.

She noticed the way Leila didn't look at her.

Not once.

And that realization stung.

More than it should have.

She wasn't jealous.

She wasn't.

She was just—

Irritated.

Yes. That was it.

Irritated that Leila was playing games again.

Irritated that she was pretending Ariana's reaction didn't matter.

Irritated that for the first time, Ariana wasn't sure if Leila was actually playing anymore.

She clenched her fists.

This was stupid.

So, so stupid.

She wasn't going to be part of whatever mind game Leila was trying to pull.

She wasn't—

"Are you okay?"

Ariana blinked.

Her best friend, Mia, was watching her with raised brows.

Ariana cleared her throat. "Of course."

Mia didn't look convinced. "Because you've been staring at Leila and Ethan like you're planning their murder."

Ariana scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

Mia smirked. "So you're planning only Ethan's murder?"

Ariana groaned. "Can you not?"

Mia shrugged. "Hey, I'm just saying—Leila's a lot, but she's never ignored you before."

Ariana stiffened.

Mia sighed. "So? What's the plan?"

Ariana frowned. "Plan for what?"

Mia gave her a knowing look. "To get the upper hand back."

Ariana opened her mouth to argue.

But then, across the room, Leila laughed again.

And this time—she did look at Ariana.

A split-second glance.

A challenge.

A reminder that she was winning this round.

Ariana exhaled sharply.

Mia smirked. "Ah. There it is."

Ariana rolled her eyes. "Shut up."

Mia grinned. "Shutting up. But also—good luck."

Because they both knew.

Ariana wasn't walking away from this.

Not yet.

Not until she won.