105. Offended kitten
ST. LUMINA UNIVERSITY — AFTER BREAK
The courtyard buzzed with students rushing to their next classes.
Aiden walked through the crowd with the dopiest smile ever plastered on his face.
Why?
Because he was going to see her.
Marcelline.
The angel who had turned his highly logical brain into scrambled eggs.
He hurried toward the AI & Robotics block—
not because he belonged there
(he really, REALLY didn't)
but because Marcelline had a class there next.
He tried acting casual.
He absolutely failed.
He moved like a golden retriever who heard his owner open a biscuit packet.
---
Aiden slowed down—
And stopped dead.
There, next to Marcelline, walked Ian.
Slim.
Glasses.
Simple clothes.
Zero muscles.
Carrying a thick robotics textbook like it was a bag of air.
Ian.
Aiden's friend.
Aiden's actual friend.
The good, nice, simple, harmless tech nerd.
But at that moment…
Aiden didn't see "friend".
He saw:
"NERD THREAT ALERT — STATUS: DANGER TO MY HEART."
Aiden narrowed his eyes.
Then narrowed them even more.
Marcelline nodded as Ian explained something politely, his voice calm.
Aiden's jealousy stabbed him like a pencil.
"Why is he walking with her??? And smiling?? Why do nerds have social skills TODAY of all days???"
---
He walked toward them, waving too energetically.
"Ahem! Marcelline!"
She turned, smiling softly.
"Aiden? You're early."
Aiden puffed up like a peacock.
"Yes! I was… passing by. Casually. Not waiting for you. At all."
Ian gave a warm, harmless smile.
"Oh hey, Aiden! Perfect timing. I was telling Marcelline about our robotics assignment."
Aiden twitched.
OUR what???
Why OUR???
Why are you saying OUR in front of me???
But aloud, he said:
"Ahahah, yes, yes, robotics. My favorite subject. Probably. Maybe."
Ian blinked.
"…You're in Finance, Aiden."
"YES I KNOW I WAS TESTING YOU!"
Ian just nodded politely.
"Right… okay."
Marcelline chuckled gently.
Ian continued, completely innocent:
"Marcelline asked for help with a chapter, so I was explaining it."
Aiden's brain:
HELP??? EXPLAIN??? WHY ARE YOU BEING SO NICE TODAY, IAN???
---
The three walked together for a moment.
Marcelline and Ian talked calmly.
Aiden trailed 5 steps behind like an offended kitten.
His thoughts spiraled:
Should I switch my department?
AI seems easy. I can manage. Maybe. Probably not. Who cares, love is more important—
And then he imagined Maximilian.
Max's voice echoed in his head:
"You want to switch departments because of a GIRL?"
Aiden flinched.
Max grounding him for life.
Max deleting his bank account.
Max burying him alive under paperwork.
"Nope. Nope. No switching. I value my life."
But then he looked at Ian again—
Being helpful.
Being polite.
Being NORMAL.
Aiden growled softly.
"I hate this too…"
A group of students stared at him.
Aiden pretended he dropped something.
He picked up nothing.
---
Ian looked back.
"Aiden? You're going the wrong way. Finance building is on the opposite side."
Aiden forced a smile that hurt his jaw.
"Oh, yes, I know! I'm just… walking. Air is important. Oxygen. I like breathing."
Marcelline tilted her head.
"You can come with us if you want."
Aiden brightened—
Until Ian innocently added:
"We're going to discuss the robotics project."
Aiden instantly dimmed.
ROBOTICS???
PROJECT???
KILL ME.
He coughed.
"No no, you both go. I'll just… float around."
He dragged himself away dramatically.
But kept turning back every few seconds
like a jealous, heartbroken puppy.
---
Aiden was:
lovesick
dramatic
jealous
AND jealous of his own friend
Meanwhile Ian?
Just helping a classmate.
No flirting.
No interest.
No idea Aiden was exploding emotionally.
Aiden was suffering alone.
And Ian remained the innocent cause of that suffering.
---