Chapter Twenty-Two: Sparks and Almost-Kisses
(Ria / Miles / Ethan POVs)
The school auditorium smelled of polished wood and faint stage lights.
We were there for the final festival showcase, helping to set up displays and sound checks.
I was arranging fabrics, trying to ignore Miles hovering nearby like a dark cloud with a smirk.
"Threads," he said casually, leaning over me to adjust a banner. Our shoulders brushed. "You're dangerously close to perfection, you know that?"
I stiffened, cheeks heating. "Don't call me that. And stop leaning so close."
Miles leaned closer, smirk softening. His breath hit my cheek. My stomach flipped.
"Seriously, stop." My voice was firmer, but my pulse betrayed me.
Miles's POV
Threads is impossibly gorgeous right now. Wet hair clinging slightly, brown skin glowing under the stage lights, eyes wide and defiant.
I inch closer, just to see how flustered she'll get. Just close enough to feel her warmth.
She's stiff, sharp, and everything about her screams "don't," but the way her eyes dart to my lips… fuck.
I want to. I shouldn't. But maybe… just a little.
Ria's POV
He leaned even closer. I could smell him — faintly citrus, slightly like soap, impossibly… Miles.
"Stop," I whispered, heart racing, hands trembling slightly.
He paused. Smirk gone, eyes softer.
"Threads…" His voice was low, teasing, almost soft. My stomach dropped.
Before I could react, the door slammed open — Ethan entering with a stack of music sheets.
"Sorry! I thought you needed these—"
Miles snapped back, leaning slightly away, but the electricity between us lingered.
I exhaled shakily, heart pounding. Ethan glanced at me, concern and curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
"Yes," I said, though my cheeks burned. "Fine."
Miles muttered something under his breath, smirk returning, but his eyes lingered on me longer than before.
Ethan's POV
I couldn't help but notice the way Miles leaned in, the almost-kiss that never happened. Threads's chest rising too fast, cheeks flushed.
I clenched my fists slightly. That guy… he's infuriating. Dangerous for her. And yet… I can't let her forget I'm here too.
Miles's POV
Almost. Almost kissed her.
I'm supposed to hate her. I do hate how flustered she gets. I do hate that she's driving me crazy.
But I also… loved it. Loved her fire, her defiance, the way she smells, moves, lives.
And Ethan's quiet, steady orbit? I see him. I know he's there. Makes this… complicated.
Threads, I might be screwed.
Ria's POV
By the end of the setup, Miles lingered, smirking, teasing, dangerous. Ethan hovered nearby, supportive, calm, steady.
Two boys. Two different kinds of pull. And me? Torn, flustered, exhilarated.
And that almost-kiss?
It burned in my chest, a spark I couldn't ignore.