Michelle felt more comfortable at school now. Steve had kissed her cheek that morning, held her hand on the way to class, and for the first time, she didn't feel invisible sitting at her desk.
She was bent over her notebook, scribbling notes, when someone slid into the seat next to her.
Ryan.
Tall, dark-haired, with that crooked grin that most girls on campus fell for.
"Michelle, right?" he asked, casually leaning closer. "I saw you earlier… with that guy. Steve, yeah?"
"Yeah," she nodded carefully.
Ryan smiled. "Just saying—if things with him ever don't work out, I'd be happy to show you what life's like without boring lectures."
Michelle let out a small laugh—awkward, polite, but far from interested."I think we're doing just fine."
"For now," Ryan said, giving her a wink.
Just then, the classroom door opened.
Steve walked in.
His eyes locked immediately onto Michelle—and Ryan. The way Ryan leaned a little too close. The way Michelle smiled—though it wasn't that kind of smile.
Steve froze for a second.
Then walked over.
Calmly.
Maybe a little too calmly.
"Hey," he said, placing a hand on the back of Michelle's chair. "Everything okay here?"
Michelle looked up at him, surprised, then grateful."Yeah. Ryan was just leaving."
Ryan raised his hands. "Alright, alright. No hard feelings."
He got up slowly.
Steve slid into the seat next to Michelle. He didn't say anything right away.
"You okay?" Michelle asked, tilting her head toward him.
"Yeah," Steve replied. But then he added,"I'm not the jealous type. But I don't like watching someone look at what's mine."
Michelle turned to face him, amused.
"I'm yours?"
Steve leaned in, his voice low, meant just for her."Since the second you told me you were staying."