(Stefano's POV)
I'd watched her all morning from across the courtyard. Every time she passed, her green eyes never met mine. She clutched her books tightly, moved quickly, and avoided the hallways where I was lingering. Why is she avoiding me? The thought gnawed at me, twisting inside my chest like fire. I don't care about Luciana… then why is she pulling away? I clenched my fists, I had to find out. I couldn't let her distance grow unchecked. Not when I could feel how fragile she was being… not when I knew Luciana was behind something. I moved closer, keeping my pace casual, my voice low as I finally called out. "Sierra." She stopped suddenly, and then turned to face me, her face calm but guarded. "Yes?" There was no inflection in the tone, but I saw how tightly coiled tension was in her jaw. I studied her for a moment. "You've been avoiding me. Why?" Her eyes flicked away. "I… I'm just… busy. That's all."
"Busy?" I pressed. "Or angry? Confused?" My voice hardened a little. I needed the truth. I deserve the truth. Her lips parted as if to reply, then closed again. She didn't meet my gaze. "It's… nothing. Really." I narrowed my eyes. Nothing? No. I didn't believe her. And I wouldn't.
(Sierra's POV)
I felt his stare, a heavy and insistent weight. The desire to run, to escape, tugged at me, but my limbs would not move. I couldn't let him see the turmoil inside yet. Why am I feeling this way? I asked myself. Anger, confusion, jealousy-all wrapped around my heart like thorns. He had kissed me. He had ignited something in me that I didn't quite understand. And now… I didn't know where we stood. "I said it's nothing," I replied, my voice firmer than I felt. "Please… just leave it." He didn't move. "I can't," he said quietly, almost a growl. "Not when I can feel you pulling away from me and I don't know why." I tightened my fingers on the strap of my bag. Don't let him see you crumble, I told myself. You're stronger than this. You can handle it.
(Luciana's POV)
Meanwhile, Luciana whispered furtively in the campus lounge to Sasa, Rosa, and Kesi. Her smirk was sharp, dangerous. "She's avoiding him-just like I wanted," Luciana said. "Good. Now we escalate. She needs to hear more. more lies, more of the story that will poison her mind." Sasa frowned. "Do you think she'll confront him?" Luciana shook her head. "No. Not yet. She'll stew, worry, doubt… and that's exactly what we want. By the time she approaches him, she'll be emotionally unsteady, questioning everything he's done for her." Rosa and Kesi exchanged concerned glances. "It seems so cruel," Rosa whispered. Luciana's smile became icy. "Good. Cruelty has its uses.
(Marko and Ethan's POV)
Marko was the first to notice this change. "Have you seen Sierra today?" he asked Ethan, voice low as they leaned against the railing near the football field. Ethan frowned. "Yeah. She's. different. Quieter, more tense. Stefano's staring at her like he wants to explode."
"Exactly," Marko said, running a hand through his hair. "Something's going on. I can see it in her posture. in the way she avoids him. He's noticing it too, and that's dangerous. Both of them are walking on eggshells." Ethan nodded. "We need to keep an eye on both of them. Make sure nothing…catastrophic happens." Marko's jaw tightened. "I don't like this. Not one bit. She's fragile right now, and Stefano… he's a ticking time bomb of frustration and jealousy."
(Sierra's POV)
I moved into the art building, trying to lose myself in drawing. But every stroke of the brush felt empty. Every color, flat. My mind refused to focus. Why am I letting Luciana's nonsenses get to me? I chided myself silently. She's trying to manipulate me. Stefano… he doesn't care about her. He…but he kissed me. It sounded like a lie, even to myself. The memory of that kiss, the lingering warmth of his lips, the way his hands had hesitated and then tightened around me… it made my chest ache. And yet, Luciana's words played in my mind, whispering doubts that I didn't want to acknowledge: What if Stefano still cares for her? What if he has never stopped? I shook my head violently. Get the thought out! No. Stop. He's mine. I won't give her any space in my mind.
(Stefano's POV )
I followed her discreetly down the hallways, keeping my distance as my heart pounded in my chest. Every sideways glance, every small sigh she let out… I felt it. The pull, the hunger to reach her, to take her in my arms, to make her understand that she didn't need to worry about Luciana. But I couldn't. Not yet, not openly. She needed to feel safe, not smothered. Yet the jealousy, the way she recoiled at even the slightest mention of Luciana, even imagined. it made my chest tighten unbearably. I wanted to shake her, to demand, to pull her into my arms and never let go. Instead, I followed silently, watching, aching, knowing every moment she avoided me was agony. Christ! I was about to throw her from my life, but now I'm roaming after her like a puppy for attention.
(Sierra's POV )
I finally reached the steps near the art building, clutching my sketchbook to my chest. Angel waited, softly humming to herself. "Hey," she said softly, cocking her head. "You okay? You look. tense." I forced a small smile. "Yeah… fine. Just… thinking." Angel frowned, studying me. "You're not fine. I can see it. Stefano?" My chest tightened. "Maybe," I said quietly. "Just. complicated." Angel reached over, squeezing my hand. "You can handle it. You always do, don't let anyone make you feel small, Sierra." I nodded, I was grateful for her words they anchored me, even if just a little.
(To be continued....)