Chapter twenty: Close Quarters
(Ria's POV)
The library smelled like old books and polished wood — quiet, except for the faint hum of computers and distant chatter. Perfect for… disaster.
Because somehow, Miles Patel and I had been paired for a research project.
"Yes, Threads," he drawled, plopping down beside me. "I get to spend an entire afternoon with you. Lucky me."
"I don't need luck," I shot back, opening my notebook. "I need peace. And order. And maybe a bubble to avoid your annoying face."
He smirked. "Bubble? I thought we were enemies-turned-punch-friends?"
I glared. "That was one time. And it was self-defense."
Miles leaned back, arms crossed. "I'll give you self-defense points. But your glare is… distracting."
Ethan's POV
I slipped into the library quietly, carrying a stack of reference books. Seeing Ria and Miles together was… tense. I could feel it — the punch, the smirk, the way Ria's jaw flexed in irritation.
I set the books on the table. "You two need anything?" I asked softly.
Ria glanced up. "Thanks, Ethan. Could you… maybe help find sources? Miles isn't exactly… organized."
He nodded. "Of course. I've got your back."
Miles raised an eyebrow. "You do know how to be useful, don't you?"
I ignored him. I handed Ria the books she requested, brushing her fingers lightly as she took one. Small, but it mattered. She gave me a fleeting smile.
Ria's POV
Hours passed with chaotic efficiency. Miles argued with me over every single reference — sometimes legitimately, mostly teasing — while Ethan hovered, calm, patient, supportive.
At one point, Miles tried to grab a book out of my hand.
"Hey! Personal space!" I snapped.
He smirked. "You just want an excuse to hit me again."
"Don't tempt me," I muttered.
I felt Ethan's presence behind me as he quietly placed another reference book next to me. "Ignore him," he whispered. "Focus on your work."
I looked at him. Soft eyes, faint smile. Grounding. Safe.
Miles caught me staring. "Who's the favorite now, huh? Quiet, reliable, boring Ethan?"
I flushed. "No one is your favorite!"
He grinned. "Sure."
Miles's POV
Threads. She's so gorgeous when she's flustered. Brown skin glowing under the library light, hair spilling around her shoulders. Every glare, every toss of her pen — irresistible.
And then there's Ethan. Calm, steady, helpful, clearly orbiting her. I hate him. And I don't.
I hate that he's… so perfect. I don't like it.
But I can't stop thinking about her. My Threads. My baddie, my fireball, my… pain in the ass.
Ria's POV
Finally, the project ended. Papers stacked, slides finished, research done. I pushed back my chair, exhausted but exhilarated.
Miles grinned at me. "You're impressive, Threads. Painful, but impressive."
"Painful, maybe. Impressive? You'll have to earn that title," I shot back.
Ethan handed me a notebook. "We make a great team," he said softly.
I smiled faintly. "Yeah… yeah we do."
Miles's smirk faltered for just a second when he saw it.
And I realized — no matter how hard I tried to act normal, I was living in the middle of two orbits. One chaotic, one calm. Both pulling me in.
And I had no idea which one I would choose.