🌙 EPISODE 3 — The Silence That Hurts More
Justin didn't look at Elisa the next day.
Not once.
Not when she entered the classroom.
Not when she sat down.
Not even when their shoulders almost brushed as students squeezed past.
Nothing.
Just calm silence.
Cold silence.
At first, Elisa thought he was busy.
Then annoyed.
Then distracted.
But after ten minutes…
She realized something worse.
He was ignoring her.
Deliberately.
Jason noticed first.
Of course he did.
He leaned slightly toward Elisa, voice low and gentle.
"He didn't even greet you today."
She didn't respond.
She kept writing in her notebook.
Her handwriting was sharper than usual.
Jason rested his chin on his hand, watching Justin across the room.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Justin sat two rows ahead.
Back straight.
Eyes forward.
Focused on the lecture like nothing else existed.
Like she didn't exist.
Elisa pressed her pen harder.
Ink spread slightly across the page.
Messy.
Uncontrolled.
Unlike her.
Jason spoke again, almost thoughtfully.
"Yesterday he looked upset."
Pause.
"Did something happen between you two?"
Her reply was immediate.
"No."
Too quick.
Too defensive.
Jason smiled faintly.
"I see."
The lecture ended.
Students began packing up.
Noise returned.
Movement.
Conversations.
Normal life.
Elisa stood.
Hesitated.
Then walked toward Justin.
He was putting his books into his bag.
Calm.
Precise.
Unbothered.
"Justin."
Her voice was steady.
Controlled.
He zipped his bag.
Didn't look up.
"Yes?"
Formal.
Flat.
Distant.
Her chest tightened slightly.
"…Are you mad about something?"
He finally looked at her.
But his expression was neutral.
Unreadable.
"No."
Silence.
She waited.
He said nothing more.
"…Then why are you acting like this?"
Justin adjusted his sleeve slowly.
Still calm.
"I'm not acting any differently."
Her irritation sparked.
"You are."
He met her eyes fully now.
Cold.
Measured.
"Maybe you're just noticing things that were always there."
That stung more than she expected.
Before she could respond—
Jason approached.
Perfect timing.
Always perfect timing.
"Ah, both of you here," he said lightly.
Then he turned to Elisa.
"About the notes you promised yesterday… do you have time now?"
Justin's hand froze on his bag strap.
Just for a second.
Elisa noticed.
Her eyes flicked toward him.
Waiting.
Expecting something.
A reaction.
A comment.
Anything.
Nothing came.
Justin simply lifted his bag.
Turned slightly.
Like he was about to leave.
Something hot twisted in her chest.
Fine.
If he didn't care—
She wouldn't either.
"…Yes," she said to Jason. "Let's go."
Justin stopped moving.
Slowly…
Very slowly…
He turned back.
Jason stepped beside Elisa naturally.
Too naturally.
Leaning slightly toward her as they walked.
Close.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
Justin's fingers tightened around his bag strap.
Hard.
They reached the hallway window.
Elisa opened her notebook to explain something.
Jason leaned closer to see.
Their heads bent slightly toward each other.
Close enough to look intimate from a distance.
Justin was still standing where she left him.
Watching.
His jaw locked.
His chest tight.
Something sharp rising fast inside him.
Too fast.
Too strong.
Jason said something that made Elisa give a small, reluctant smile.
Not a big smile.
Not warm.
But real.
That was enough.
Justin walked toward them.
Fast.
Direct.
Controlled—
Until he wasn't.
He grabbed Elisa's wrist.
Firm.
Sudden.
Startling.
Her notebook slipped from her hand.
Papers scattered across the floor.
Jason straightened slowly.
Watching.
Interested.
Elisa stared at Justin in shock.
"…What are you doing?"
His voice was low.
Rough.
Nothing like his usual calm tone.
"You're done helping him."
Her heartbeat slammed.
"What—?"
Jason spoke mildly.
"Is there a problem?"
Justin didn't look at him.
Didn't even acknowledge him.
His eyes were locked on Elisa.
Sharp.
Intense.
Burning.
"You said you don't like people getting close to you," he said.
Quiet.
Dangerous.
"So why are you letting him?"
Her breath caught.
Anger rose instantly.
"That's none of your business!"
His grip tightened slightly.
"Then stop acting like it is."
Silence crashed between them.
Heavy.
Explosive.
Uncontrolled.
Jason stepped closer.
Slow.
Calm.
Provoking.
"You're hurting her," he said softly.
Justin finally looked at him.
And something in his expression snapped.
No teasing.
No restraint.
Just raw jealousy.
"Stay. Away. From her."
Each word sharp.
Clear.
Final.
Jason smiled faintly.
"And if she doesn't want me to?"
Justin stepped forward instantly.
Dangerously close.
Eyes dark.
Voice low enough to feel like a threat.
"She doesn't know what you are."
Elisa yanked her wrist free.
Hard.
Both of them froze.
Her eyes burned with anger.
"Stop acting like you own me!"
Justin's expression changed instantly.
The anger vanished.
Replaced by something worse.
Hurt.
Real hurt.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"…I never said I did."
Silence.
Breathing.
Tension.
Unspoken emotions filling the space.
Jason watched everything carefully.
Then spoke gently.
"Elisa… are you coming?"
She hesitated.
Looked at Justin.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't stop her.
Slowly…
She turned.
And walked away with Jason.
Justin didn't follow.
Didn't call her name.
Didn't move at all.
But his hands trembled slightly at his sides.
And for the first time—
His jealousy wasn't hidden.
It was breaking through.
Across the hallway…
Jason glanced back once.
Met Justin's gaze.
And smiled.
Small.
Satisfied.
Because now…
The emotional war had truly begun.
✨ END OF EPISODE 3 — JEALOUSY UNLEASHED ✨