Chapter 19:The Confession

Celeste didn't know where she was going.

She just walked.

Past the cafeteria. Past the busy hallways. Past the classrooms where students were laughing and talking like nothing was wrong.

But inside her?

Everything felt wrong.

She didn't understand why she was so angry.

Why her heart felt like it was being crushed the moment Natalie said she liked Ryan.

Ryan wasn't hers.

He had never been hers.

But still… why does it hurt so much?

She stopped walking when she reached the school garden.

It was quiet here. A little isolated.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

But just as she was starting to feel a little better, someone spoke behind her.

"Why'd you leave?"

Celeste turned—

And, of course, it was Ryan.

Her heart skipped a beat.

But she quickly forced herself to look away. "Why do you care?"

Ryan chuckled. "You always do that."

Celeste frowned. "Do what?"

"Act like something doesn't bother you when it clearly does."

She crossed her arms. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Ryan smirked. "So, you're saying you don't care that Natalie likes me?"

Celeste stiffened.

Ryan laughed. "Knew it."

Her face heated. "I don't care."

"Right," he said, clearly amused.

Celeste glared at him. "I don't! You can date whoever you want, Ryan. It's not my business."

Ryan leaned against a tree, his eyes never leaving her. "Then why are you so mad?"

Celeste opened her mouth—then closed it.

Because she didn't have an answer.

Or maybe… she had one, but she just didn't want to admit it.

Ryan took a step closer. "You know, if you just told me how you really feel—"

"There's nothing to tell," she cut him off.

Ryan smirked again, but this time, there was something different about it. Like he was challenging her.

Celeste turned away before he could see the effect he had on her.

"I'm going back to class," she muttered.

Ryan didn't stop her.

But as she walked away, she could feel his eyes still on her.

And deep down, she knew—

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

Meanwhile… Natalie's Realization

Back in the cafeteria, Natalie was still smiling.

She liked Ryan.

A lot.

He was fun. Confident. Charming.

But more than that—he was a challenge.

And Natalie loved a challenge.

She turned to Samantha. "So… what's the deal with him and Celeste?"

Samantha smirked. "Oh, you noticed?"

Natalie laughed. "Kinda hard not to. She looked like she wanted to strangle me when I said I liked him."

Samantha leaned forward. "Then you'll love this—Celeste likes Ryan."

Natalie's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

"She won't admit it," Samantha said, rolling her eyes. "But trust me, she does."

Natalie tilted her head, thinking. "So, they're not together?"

"Nope."

Natalie smirked. "Well, then… that means he's available, doesn't it?"

Samantha chuckled. "I like the way you think."

Natalie grinned. "Good. Because I think I just found a new goal."

Samantha raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

Natalie's smile widened.

"To make Celeste watch as I take Ryan for myself."

The New Problem: Jared

Just when Celeste thought things couldn't get any worse, they did.

Because the next morning, Samantha's cousin showed up.

And he was trouble.

Jared Castillo.

Tall. Athletic. Cocky smile. The kind of guy who knew he could get any girl he wanted.

And, apparently, Samantha had already told him who to go after.

Celeste.

"So," Jared said, dropping into the seat beside her. "You're the famous Celeste, huh?"

Celeste blinked. "Excuse me?"

Jared smirked. "Relax, I don't bite."

She frowned. "What do you want?"

Jared leaned closer. "To get to know you, obviously."

Celeste gave him a look. "Why?"

Jared shrugged. "Because you're interesting."

Celeste narrowed her eyes. "Let me guess—Samantha told you to talk to me, didn't she?"

Jared laughed. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Celeste sighed, already exhausted. "Look, I don't know what you or Samantha are trying to do, but I'm not interested."

Jared grinned. "That's what makes this even more fun."

Celeste groaned.

Great. Just great.

Now she had to deal with him too.

Ryan Notices

Ryan wasn't usually the jealous type.

At least, that's what he told himself.

But the moment he saw Jared sitting next to Celeste, flirting with her like it was the easiest thing in the world—

Something inside him snapped.

He clenched his jaw.

He hated this.

Hated seeing her smile at another guy, even if it was just a polite smile.

Hated the way Jared leaned in a little too close.

Hated that Celeste wasn't pushing him away as fast as Ryan wanted her to.

Before he could even think, Ryan was already moving toward them.

"Hey," he said, his voice sharper than usual.

Celeste looked up, surprised. "Ryan?"

Ryan ignored her and turned to Jared. "What are you doing here?"

Jared smirked. "Talking to Celeste."

Ryan's grip on his bag tightened. "Yeah? Well, she's busy."

Celeste frowned. "I can speak for myself, Ryan."

Ryan's jaw clenched. "Yeah? Then tell him to leave."

Celeste blinked. "What?"

Ryan crossed his arms. "If you're not interested in him, tell him to leave."

Jared chuckled. "Dude, relax."

Ryan glared at him. "I'm not your dude."

Celeste stood up. "Okay, enough. Both of you."

Jared put his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll back off… for now."

Ryan didn't look satisfied, but he let Jared walk away.

Celeste turned to Ryan, her arms crossed. "What was that?"

Ryan exhaled. "Nothing."

Celeste gave him a look. "It didn't look like nothing."

Ryan ran a hand through his hair. "Just… stay away from him, okay?"

Celeste frowned. "Why?"

Ryan hesitated.

Then, quietly, he said—

"Because I don't want to lose you."

Celeste's heart stopped.

Her breath caught in her throat.

And suddenly, everything—the jealousy, the tension, the unsaid words—

All of it was right there between them.

Waiting.

Burning.

And Celeste knew…

Things would never be the same again.

To Be Continued…