THE HUMAN SHIELD

Chapter 10: The Human Shield

(Ethan's POV with Noah's Commentary)

Ethan was going to kill him.

Not right now. Not in the middle of the library. But soon.

Noah Kingston would die by his hands.

Preferably in a dramatic way. Maybe pushed into a locker. Or thrown off the school roof.

Something poetic.

Because right now? Right now, Noah was staring at him like he was a wounded puppy.

"I swear, dude," Noah muttered, shaking his head, "this is the most depressing study session I've ever seen. And I took remedial chemistry."

Ethan turned a page in his book. "Then leave."

"I could. But then who would stop you from having a full-blown existential crisis in the middle of the library?" Noah propped his chin on his hand, watching Ethan with far too much interest. "Or, worse, who would protect you from her?"

He nodded toward Riley.

Who, unfortunately, was still sitting across from them.

Ethan did not look up.

If he looked up, he might actually acknowledge that she was there. That they were breathing the same air. That for a split second earlier, they had smirked at the same joke.

And that? That could not happen.

"I don't need protection," Ethan muttered.

Noah gasped dramatically. "Oh my god, you still like her."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "I don't."

"Bro." Noah leaned closer. "You look at her like a sad Victorian man who lost his fiancée to tuberculosis."

Ethan gripped his pencil tighter. "I don't look at her."

Noah considered that. "Huh. You know who says that? People who are actively looking at someone."

Ethan closed his book. "I hate you."

"I know," Noah said cheerfully. "But don't worry, I'll be your human shield. If Riley tries to talk to you, I'll just start saying random facts about whales until she leaves."

Ethan sighed.

Noah definitely wasn't leaving.

And somehow, that was almost… comforting.

Riley – Present

Riley didn't know which was worse.

Ethan ignoring her.

Or Noah actively blocking her from talking to him.

Because Noah Kingston was a menace.

Every time she tried to say something, he steered the conversation in the most obnoxious direction possible.

Like now.

"Did you know sperm whales sleep vertically?" he asked, completely unprompted.

Riley blinked. "What?"

Noah nodded sagely. "Yeah. Look it up. It's terrifying. Imagine just vibing in the ocean and suddenly—boom. Upside-down whale."

Ethan exhaled through his nose, but Riley swore she saw the tiniest flicker of amusement.

Not much.

But enough.

And that? That meant something.

Maybe he wasn't completely unreachable.

Maybe, even if he didn't want to admit it, he wasn't entirely over her.

And maybe… just maybe…

She wasn't over him either.