Chapter Twentyone: Close Quarters and Cold Stares
(Ria / Miles / Ethan POVs)
The lab smelled faintly of antiseptic and old textbooks — sterile and unnervingly quiet.
I had been searching for the extra fabrics we forgot for the festival exhibit when the door slammed behind me.
"Ria?" Miles's voice echoed from the corner.
I froze. "Miles? What are you—"
He shrugged, leaning against a counter, a smirk playing on his lips. "Apparently, the door locks automatically when the janitor leaves. We're… trapped."
I blinked. "Trapped? You're joking."
"Nope," he said. "Guess it's just you, me… and the leftover lab fumes."
I groaned, pressing my hands to my face. "This is so unfair. I cannot deal with you right now."
---
Miles's POV
Threads. Trapped with me in a tiny, fluorescent-lit room. She's glaring, flustered, beautiful. Every strand of her noir hair is perfect chaos, her brown skin glowing even under these ugly fluorescent lights.
And I'm supposed to behave? Ha.funny joke.
She looked up from her arms crossed, that furious little crease between her brows… irresistible.
---
Ria's POV
Hours—or maybe it was minutes—passed as we tried to find a way out. Miles didn't help much, just leaned against the counter smirking like he'd won some invisible prize.
"Hey, Threads," he said suddenly, tone teasing. "You ever notice how close we keep bumping into each other?"
I shot him a glare. "It's an accident. Stop noticing things."
He grinned. "Sure, sure. Accidentally brushing hands? Totally innocent."
My heart lurched. I looked away, focusing on the small counter top, pretending not to notice the electricity in our accidental touches.
---
Ethan's POV (watching from the hall)
I stood just outside the lab, waiting for Ria and Miles to finish whatever project they had. Something felt… off. Tension. Sparks. I couldn't see their faces, but I could feel it.
I tried not to frown. Miles had a way of drawing out threads of chaos in Ria. I could see it from the way she straightened, the subtle flush on her neck when he leaned too close.
And yet… I couldn't help but hope she leaned toward me too, even a little.
---
Ria's POV
Minutes stretched uncomfortably. Miles moved closer to examine a fabric sample, leaning over the counter. Our knees brushed. My stomach betrayed me with a quick flutter.
"Careful," I muttered, trying to sound casual.
He chuckled. "You're cute when you're trying to be serious, Threads."
I snapped my notebook shut. "I am not cute. And stop calling me that."
He leaned just a fraction closer, smirk softening. "Fine. But admit it—you like it."
I rolled my eyes, heart thundering. "I do not."
---
Miles's POV
She does like it. I see it in the way her hand twitches when I brush against her, the way her glare falters. Threads is fire and lightning and I can't stay away.
I caught her gaze for a second, and the world shrank to her brown eyes, her flustered cheeks, her impossible smirk.
"Love at first punch?" I whispered to myself. "No… slow burn. That's what this is. Definitely slow burn."
---
Ethan's POV
I tapped my foot, still outside, pretending to check my phone. My ears were sharp. I could hear faint laughter, flustered voices, little gasps.
I clenched my hands slightly. Miles was… Miles. Infuriating, cocky, dangerously close to Ria's world in ways I didn't like.
I had to remind myself: I could wait. I would wait. Ria might not notice me now, but I'd be there. Always.
---
Ria's POV
Finally, the janitor returned, unlocking the door. Freedom.
We spilled out into the hallway, drenched in tension and lingering heat. Miles gave a faint grin — victorious, teasing, maddening.
I muttered under my breath, brushing past him. "Next time, you're going alone."
He winked. "I look forward to it, Threads."
I groaned, cheeks hot. Ethan caught my arm gently as we walked away. "You okay?" he asked softly.
I nodded, heart still racing. "Yeah… yeah, I think so."
And as we left, I realized:
One boy was chaos, fire, and sparks.
The other was calm, steady, and grounding.
And I had no idea which orbit I wanted to follow.
But one thing was certain: this slow burn? It was just beginning.