LILY'S P.O.V.
The door slammed open so hard it echoed.
Riko.
Standing there.
Eyes dark. Jaw clenched. Hands tight.
Everything froze.
"Riko—"
But before I could even move—
Lily: "Ri! it's not what it looks like—"
Riko didn't even look at me.
Riko: "I know that, princess! You stay aside, I'll handle this bish!!"
My heart skipped.
Princess.
But the way he said it?
Not soft.
Dangerous.
Jayden let out a low chuckle.
"Wow," he said, clapping slowly. "Didn't know you had a savior now."
Riko stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.
The air shifted.
Heavy.
"Back off," Riko said, voice cold.
Jayden tilted his head. "Or what?"
And just like that—
Riko grabbed his collar.
Hard.
"Don't test me," he muttered.
"Riko, stop!" I rushed forward, grabbing his arm. "Please!"
For a second, he didn't move.
Then his grip loosened—
But his eyes?
Still locked on Jayden.
Jayden straightened his shirt like nothing happened.
"You're overreacting," he said calmly. "We were just talking."
Riko laughed dryly. "In an empty classroom? With the door closed?"
Jayden smirked. "Jealous much?"
That did it.
Riko stepped forward again.
"Say that again."
"Jealous," Jayden repeated, slower this time. "You're scared she might realize you're not enough."
The room went silent.
Even my breathing stopped.
Riko's fist clenched.
For a second—I thought he'd actually punch him.
"Riko—don't," I whispered.
His chest rose and fell, trying to hold back.
Then suddenly—
He laughed.
But it wasn't real.
"You really think this is about me?" Riko said, stepping closer to Jayden. "This is about YOU not knowing when to stop."
Jayden's smile faded slightly.
"She's not a game," Riko continued, voice sharp. "And you don't get to mess with her just because you showed up late."
That hit.
I saw it.
Jayden's expression flickered again—
Hurt.
Then anger.
"And you think you own her?" Jayden shot back. "You've known her for what—weeks? I've known her for years."
"Then act like it," Riko snapped. "Not like this."
Silence.
Thick.
Uncomfortable.
"Both of you STOP!" I finally shouted.
They froze.
Both turning to look at me.
"I'm not something to fight over!" my voice shook. "I'm not a prize, I'm not some trophy you win!"
My chest felt tight.
"I care about both of you, okay?! But this—this is too much!"
Riko's expression softened instantly.
Jayden looked away.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
"Jayden… you're important to me. You always will be," I said softly.
His eyes lifted, just a little.
"But this?" I gestured between us. "This isn't right. You're crossing a line."
That word again.
Line.
Jayden went quiet.
For a long moment, he didn't say anything.
Then—
"…So that's it?" he asked quietly.
My heart ached.
"Yeah," I whispered.
He laughed softly.
Not amused.
Just… empty.
"Guess I really was too late."
He walked past Riko.
Paused at the door.
And without turning back—
"Take care of her," he said.
Then left.
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Just me and Riko.
And everything that just happened.
I let out a shaky breath.
"That was… a lot."
Riko ran a hand through his hair, still tense. "Yeah."
For a second, we just stood there.
Then he looked at me.
"Did he touch you?" he asked suddenly.
I blinked. "What—no!"
He nodded, jaw still tight. "Good."
I stepped closer.
"Hey…" I said softly. "Look at me."
He did.
And all that anger?
Gone.
Just worry.
"I'm okay," I said gently.
His shoulders finally relaxed.
"Don't scare me like that," he muttered.
"I didn't—"
"You did," he cut in, quieter now. "Seeing him that close to you… I hated it."
My heart softened.
"You really are jealous," I teased lightly.
He sighed. "Only when it comes to you."
I smiled a little.
"Idiot."
"Your idiot," he corrected.
I rolled my eyes. "You're never letting that go, are you?"
"Nope."
There was a pause.
A softer one this time.
Then—
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
Like he was asking without words.
I didn't move away.
His hand found mine.
Warm.
Familiar.
"Are we okay?" he asked quietly.
I squeezed his hand.
"Yeah," I whispered. "We are."
He smiled a little.
Then leaned down—
And pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
Gentle.
Protective.
Completely different from last night.
But somehow…
It meant just as much.
TO BE CONTINUED…
NEXT CHAPTER SNEAK PEEK:
"I'm not done yet."