(Stefano's POV)
I didn't intend to stop walking. I didn't mean to look down. I hadn't meant to see him.
James Carter.
Standing too close. Smiling too brightly. Looking at her like she was sunlight. I grip my backpack strap so tightly my arm tenses up. That is stupid. I don't care. I don't. But then, why does my chest burn like someone lit a fuse under my ribs? Marko appears beside me, chewing gum as usual. Ethan is following behind him, phone in hand.
"What's wrong with your face?" Marko asks.
"Nothing."
Ethan looks down through the window. "Ooh. James's already circling. That was fast."
Marko whistles. "Sierra attracts gravity. Guy probably saw her once and fell."
I don't answer. But Marko watches me too closely. He elbows me, "You okay, man?"
"I'm fine."
"Doesn't look like it." I glare. "Drop it." He raises his hands. "Relax, bro. Just saying—James's not subtle."
"He can do what he wants," I lie. Ethan snorts. "You showing restraint? That's new." I shoot him a look. And Marko softens, expression turning thoughtful. "Stefano… don't snap at her today, alright?" I stiffen. "Why would I?"
Marko shrugs. "Because you always do. And she always looks like she doesn't know why you're doing it."
I hate how true that is. I hate how guilty it makes me feel.
I hate how I almost told her yesterday— You're trouble for me. I shove my hands into my hoodie pockets. "I don't snap at her."
Both Marko and Ethan simultaneously respond with,
"Yes you do!" I grit my teeth.
Fine. Maybe I do. Because if I'm cruel, it keeps distance. If I keep my distance, nothing dangerous happens. Nothing stupid. Nothing I can't undo. Marko pats me on the shoulder. "Talk to us at lunch. We need to tell you something anyway."
I nod, though I'm barely listening. All I think about is that guy looking at Sierra as if she's something he discovered first. It shouldn't bug me. It shouldn't. But it does.
(Sierra's POV)
By noon, I have survived two classes, three stares that felt almost like worship, and one conversation with a girl named Celine who tried to convince me to join the film club.I'm walking toward the cafeteria courtyard when someone appears at my side.
"Sunshine."
I turn. Sebastian smiles down at me, bright and unexpectedly soft.
"Sunshine?" I raise an eyebrow. He grins. "Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because you light up the place," he says simply. The sincerity in his voice melts something tight in my chest. I smile-really smile.
"Thank you, Seb."
He nudges my shoulder lightly. "Ignore everyone staring today. They'll get used to you soon." I laugh. "Is it that obvious? "Very," he says. "James walked into a door after seeing you."
I freeze. "He what?" Sebastian bursts into laughter. "I swear! He literally tripped into the history building entrance because he was too busy staring."
My cheeks warm. "Oh god."
"You handled him well, though," Sebastian says. "Didn't give him too much attention." "Because he doesn't matter that much." Sebastian hesitates. Looks at me more closely.
"Then who does?" he asks softly. I look away. The answer is in my heart. But I won't say it. "Come on," says Sebastian, redirecting the conversation. "Let's eat lunch." We sit together under a shaded table; he discusses his art project, I discuss my literature assignment, and it feels… easy. Comforting. Just what I needed.
Except every time I look up— Stefano is across the courtyard. Sitting with Marko and Ethan. His eyes flick to me whenever he thinks I'm not looking.
Then off. Then back. It is a magnetic field from which I can't escape.
(Stefano's POV)
Sebastian is smiling too much. Laughing too easily. He's leaning in close to Sierra, calling her "Sunshine," and she's actually smiling back at him. Jealousy hits like a punch I don't acknowledge. Marko is saying something across the table. Ethan is stuffing French fries into his mouth. But all I can think about is Sebastian making her laugh.
Marko waves a hand in my face. "Earth to Stefano." I blink.
"What?"
"Focus," he says. "We need to tell you something."
"Make it quick." Marko and Arko exchange glances. Then Marko leans forward. "It's about your mom." My chest tightens immediately. Cold. Sharp.
"Don't," I warn. "You should know," Arko says quietly. "Mr. Blackwood asked around recently. About… the accident." I go stiff. The accident. Her death. The one that doesn't make sense. The one that smells like missing pieces.
"And?" I manage to ask.
Marko lowers his voice. "There were discrepancies in the testimonies. Somebody back then didn't tell the truth.
The world shrinks. My pulse spikes. "Who?" I demand. "We don't know yet," Marko answers. "But Nicolas is digging. Hard.
I swallow. Anger. Fear. Confusion. It all mixes with something ugly. Something dangerous.
And if Nicolas is looking into the accident… it means something serious is buried there. And suddenly—
The thought of Sierra and her mom entering the picture feels more complicated. More connected. More threatening. I stand up abruptly, pushing my chair back. Marko grabs my arm. "Stefano, don't go nuclear. This isn't about Sierra." I pull my arm free. It feels like everything is about her now. I head to the car, needing air. Needing distance. And, having something to distract me— But when I make it to the parking lot, fate laughs, because there's Sierra. Saying goodbye to James. And James— is looking at her like she's something he wants. Something he's trying for. Something he believes he has the probability to get. I feel something crack inside me.
(Sierra's POV)
James walks with me toward the parking lot after our last class. He's talking about the food court, about his old school, about some professor who gives pop quizzes. He's nice. Very nice. But I feel nothing. Not excitement. Not butterflies. Not the breathless awareness I feel around-
Stefano.
God, I hate that. James halts near the bikes. "Walk with me tomorrow? I wanna know more about you." I smile politely. "Maybe." He seems encouraged. "Cool, I'll wait." He walks away, and I head for the car. Stefano is leaning against it. Arms crossed. Jaw tight. Darker eyes than usual.
Oh no. He looks… furious. But in that controlled, deadly quiet way. "What?" I ask carefully. He continues to stare. Like he's trying to figure out if he wants to yell or ignore me.
"Your taste is questionable," he says finally.
"What?"
"James," he spits the name like it's sour. "He's a walking red flag and a half."
"I barely talked to him."
"You talked enough."
I narrow my eyes. "Why do you care?"
"I don't." The way he says it is too fast. Too sharp. He opens the passenger door without looking at me. "Get in." I climb in silently. And the ride home is colder than a winter morning.
(Stefano's POV)
Dinner is a mistake. I shouldn't have come down. Should've stayed in my room. Should've avoided this strange, suffocating heat inside my chest. But I sit at the long table anyway. Dad is talking about a business expansion. Aveline is smiling politely.
Sebastian is flipping through his phone. And Sierra,
Across the table from me sat Quiet. Small. Hands folded in her lap. I shouldn't look. I look anyway. Why does she seem hurt? Why does it hit me? Dad asks, "Sierra, how was College today?"
She smiles faintly. "It was good." Sebastian adds, "She made a new friend." I stiffen. Dad smiles warmly. "That's great."
But something inside me snaps. "It's not wonderful." Sierra's head lifts, confused. Everyone looks at me.
I continue before I can stop myself. "Some people approach her for the wrong reasons. And she let them, maybe she really likes."
Sebastian frowns. "Stefano—"
"She's gold digger. Otherwise she wouldn't roam with random guys," I say. The words spill out sharper than knives.
Sierra's eyes dim. Just barely.
Dad shout. "Stefano! Behave, where're ur manners?"
But I'm already in too deep.
"She talks to anyone who smiles at her," I add, my voice cold. "People will take advantage of that."
She blinks hard. Hurt. Real hurt. It hits me like a punch, but I don't back down. Because if I soften-
If I pull her close— I'll mess it all up.
Sebastian slams his fork down. "Stefano, enough!"
She stands up slowly.
Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I didn't do anything wrong. Neither I came this house on my own will, I never wanted to come, mom forced me."
And she walks out of the dining room. My stomach twists.
Dad stares at me angrily, while Aveline looks disheartened. She went away after Sierra. Sebastian looks like he detests me.
Good. They should. Because I hate myself, too.
(To be continued....)