Chapter Twenty-Eight: Teasing, Tutoring, and Flustered Moments
(Lyra's POV)
I slouched into my chair, pretending to care about the teacher's lecture, but my eyes kept darting to Evan across the classroom. His golden hair caught the sunlight streaming through the windows, and the way he rested his chin on his hand, eyes lazily scanning the notes, made my stomach twist.
Okay, focus, Lyra. You're here to learn… not stare.
---
Then Soraya leaned over, elbow nudging mine. "Ooooh, look at her! All blushy again. Sol, do you even know what's happening with you and Evan?"
I froze. "I-I… nothing!" My cheeks flamed red.
Saphira snorted. "Nothing? Don't lie! You're practically radiating it. And he's staring at you too!"
I swallowed, biting my lip. He's staring at me? My heart started hammering.
Evan's head did snap toward me, smirk tugging at his lips. "Relax, Sol," he whispered, leaning slightly closer than necessary. "You're mine, remember?"
I could barely breathe. "Ev… stop!" I hissed, fumbling with my pen.
"Never," he replied, and my heart skipped a beat.
---
Then came the small moment that nearly made me collapse: a classmate, one of the cheerleaders, fluttered past Evan, brushing her hair behind her shoulder and laughing a little too loudly.
She's flirting… with him…
I felt my stomach twist, hands clenching around my notebook. I tried to pretend I wasn't hurt, but the jealousy was burning, sharp and sudden.
Evan noticed immediately. His golden eyes shot to mine, narrowing just a little. "You okay, Sol?"
I mumbled, "Y-yeah…" but avoided his gaze.
He leaned closer, voice low and possessive. "You're mine. Don't even think about her."
My cheeks burned hotter than the summer sun. I opened my mouth, ready to protest, but no words came.
---
Lunch was chaos. Soraya and Saphira didn't let me forget.
"Look at you! Blushing like crazy again!"
"Do it! Go hug him or something!"
"Sol, it's obvious you like him!"
I groaned, face practically on fire. Evan just smirked, leaning close enough that our shoulders brushed. Mine, his eyes seemed to say.
---
After school, I headed to the café for tutoring with Cassian. The smell of coffee and pastries usually calmed me, but today I was still frazzled from the teasing and jealousy.
Cassian smiled when he saw me. "Ready to suffer through math?"
I groaned, sitting down. "Do I have a choice?"
"Oh, there's always a choice," he teased, smirking. "But… you might fail if you skip."
I rolled my eyes, but then Evan appeared, leaning casually against the counter. "I came to supervise," he said, smirk tugging at his lips. "Can't have anyone distracting Sol."
I froze, heart hammering. Distracting me?
Cassian raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "Oh really? Because I was thinking she might distract you a little."
Evan's golden eyes narrowed, a possessive edge to his gaze. "Step back, Cassian. She's mine."
Cassian just chuckled, leaning back, clearly enjoying Evan's rare flustered expression.
I buried my face in my hands. I am so doomed…
---
We went over fractions, functions, and formulas, but I couldn't concentrate. Every time Evan leaned over to check my work, his hand brushing mine, every teasing glance from Cassian or whisper from Soraya and Saphira, it felt like my heart was about to explode.
At one point, Cassian smirked and said, "Careful, Sol. He's jealous. I've never seen him like this before."
I froze, cheeks flaming. "J-Jealous?"
"Oh, golden-boy Evan? Totally," Soraya added, grinning. "You've got him wrapped around your little finger, Sol."
I groaned, mentally cursing them all. And yet… I kind of loved it.
---
By the time tutoring ended, we wandered back to the group's hangout spot — the abandoned music room, where we'd claimed a little slice of freedom away from everyone.
Soraya flopped onto the piano bench. "Alright, Sol, tell us — how really do you feel about Evan?"
I looked down, heart thumping. "I… I don't know. It's complicated."
Saphira nudged me. "It's not that complicated. You're blushing nonstop."
Evan's golden eyes caught mine, smirk tugging at his lips. He leaned slightly closer. "Sol…"
I bit my lip, heat rising to my cheeks. I like him… I really like him.
And somehow, in the middle of teasing, tutoring chaos, and flustered moments, I realized I wasn't the least bit upset about it. Not anymore.