Chapter Twenty-Four: Sparks in the Crowd
(Ria POV with Miles & Ethan interspersed)
The mall was buzzing with the weekend crowd — music, chatter, bright displays everywhere. Maya dragged me along, whispering conspiratorially:
"Threads, you're blushing again. Admit it. Miles?"
"I am not!" I hissed, tugging my hoodie tighter around me.
Emma snorted, leaning on my shoulder. "Uh-huh. Totally not."
Lia appeared beside us, holding hands with her boyfriend, rolling her eyes. "You three are ridiculous. Can we just… shop?"
Miles's POV
I spotted her across the crowd, hoodie messy, hair perfect chaos. Brown skin glowing under the mall lights, those sharp eyes scanning for deals.
I smirked. Perfect. She hasn't seen me yet. Time to close the gap.
I wove through the crowd, carefully bumping into her — lightly, "accidentally."
"Careful," she snapped, adjusting her hoodie.
I grinned. "Threads. You're like a magnet. Or maybe it's me."
Her cheeks flared. Dangerous. I loved it.
Ethan's POV
I followed a few steps behind, pretending to browse. She looks… flustered. Miles is doing that thing again — too close, too teasing.
I can't help it. I tense. He's fun, but he's a wild card. And Threads… she's mine to watch over, in a quiet way.
Ria's POV
By the food court, we stopped for drinks. Miles hovered, smirking, while Ethan grabbed a seat next to me, handing me my smoothie.
"Careful," Miles teased, leaning closer than necessary. "You're going to spill that on me."
"Not happening," I muttered, gripping the cup. My heart betrayed me with a flutter.
Ethan, calm and sweet, smiled softly. "I got you," he said, steadying my hand lightly.
Miles noticed. His smirk faltered just slightly. He leaned closer, whispering: "You really like him, huh?"
I glared, heart racing. "I do not!"
Maya POV
I'm trying not to laugh. Threads, flustered. Miles, smirking like a fool. Ethan, calm and observant. Emma, giggling uncontrollably. Lia, eye-rolling.
This is the perfect chaos. And I live for it.
Ria's POV
The group decided to check out a magazine stand. I grabbed one called E & A Fashion, run by Elara Paris Harper. Another featured the model-actor-singer Sienna Iris Everglow.
Miles leaned in close to glance at my picks. "You have good taste… dangerous, expensive taste."
I laughed nervously, brushing his arm accidentally. Sparks.
Ethan cleared his throat, subtly putting a hand near mine on the other side of the magazine. My heart thrummed, caught between the teasing chaos and the steady calm.
By the time we left the mall, everyone was exhausted.
Maya chattered nonstop.
Emma gossiped about new trends.
Lia held her boyfriend Leo's hand, smiling.
Miles smirked beside me, leaning dangerously close.
Ethan walked just slightly behind, calm, steady, protective.
And me? I was caught in the middle of a storm.
One boy was fire, chaotic, unpredictable.
The other was calm, attentive, grounding.
And I… had no idea which orbit I wanted to follow.
But something told me this slow burn was just beginning.