Cassian pov
I couldn't look away.
Leonel's eyes pinned me down like I was some secret he'd uncovered, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't tear my gaze away. It felt like standing too close to a fire you know you're going to get burned, but you linger anyway.
My pulse hammered in my ears until Aiden's voice cut through. "Cass?"
I jerked slightly, realizing he was touching my arm, his brows knit with concern. "What happened? You zoned out."
"N-nothing," I blurted out too quickly, forcing a laugh that sounded more like a squeak. I dropped into my chair like gravity had doubled.
Leonel didn't say a word, but I heard the softest sound escape him a laugh he tried to hide. His shoulders shook once, and when I looked at him, his lips were twitching like he was on the verge of losing control.
Heat flared across my cheeks. "Shut up," I hissed under my breath, glaring at him.
That only made him bite his lip harder, the amusement still dancing in his stormy eyes.
Aiden glanced between us, his confusion written all over his face. "Uh… did I miss something?"
"No," I said way too fast. Definitely suspicious. My ears burned.
For a moment, the silence stretched, awkward and heavy, until Aiden leaned back in his chair. His tone was casual, but I knew him well enough to hear the curiosity beneath it. "So… that guy in the café. What was that about?"
My heart skipped. I knew exactly who he meant, and judging by the way Leonel's body stiffened, so did he.
I kept my mouth shut. Leonel hadn't told me a word about his stepbrother, and if I said anything now, it would make me look like I knew things I shouldn't. My silence felt like holding my breath underwater.
Leonel finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying a weight that left no room for argument. "Can you two just… forget about that? At least for now. I really don't want to talk about it."
Aiden blinked, his lips parting in surprise. He stared at Leonel for a long moment, searching for something in his expression. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Okay. I won't push."
Relief washed over me. "Yeah, same. Totally forgot already," I added quickly, maybe a little too cheerfully.
The atmosphere still felt tense, like a thread stretched tight, so I scrambled for a distraction. "HEYYY! How about fried chicken and drinks tonight? I'm dying for something greasy. We've been eating cafeteria food all week, and honestly? My stomach deserves better."
Both of them blinked at me, as if I'd just thrown a bucket of cold water over the whole conversation.
Then Aiden smiled, warm and easy. "That actually sounds great."
Leonel's lips tugged upward too, though it was faint and almost reluctant. "Fine."
I grinned, maybe a little too widely. "Perfect! Then it's settled."
By the time we wrapped up for the day, my mood had lifted at least until Aiden opened his mouth again.
He nudged Leonel with a friendly smile. "You should come with us. To the dorm, I mean. It's just Cassian and me staying there right now anyway. We'll make a night of it."
I nearly tripped over my own feet. Wait. WHAT?!
I looked at Aiden, then Leonel, then back at Aiden again. "You you're inviting him to our dorm?" My voice cracked like I was hitting puberty all over again.
Aiden blinked innocently. "Yeah? Why not?"
Leonel, of course, didn't hesitate. "Sure."
And just like that, the three of us were heading back together two bags slung over shoulders, greasy boxes of fried chicken in hand, and drinks rattling in a plastic carrier.
I should've been excited. Instead, all I could think was that Leonel the guy who will end up being die heart possesive about aiden and sees me getting friendly with him after I drink because I know how I actually when I am drunk he would kill me
This can't possibly end well.