Watching the betrayal.

AIDEN’S POV.

The next day felt heavier than it should have.

I sat across from Peter in the cafeteria, a tray of food in front of me that I had no intention of finishing. Eggs, toast, something green I didn’t recognise. I poked at it with my fork like it had personally offended me.

I hadn’t slept much.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it again—Daniel kissing that other guy like they were a real couple. 

The guilt sat in my chest. 

Peter was laughing loudly and that somehow made it worse.

Riss was talking animatedly, his hands flying as he explained the latest anime series they were all obsessed with. Ava sat beside her, nodding along, occasionally interrupting to argue about a character arc. 

Peter leaned forward, clearly invested in the conversation. 

“And the animation in the last episode?” Riss said. “Insane. Like, actually insane.”

“I know,” Ava agreed. “I cried. Don’t judge me.”

Peter laughed. “I would never judge you for crying over it. I cried over it too.”

I stabbed my eggs too hard. The fork scraped the plate. But no one noticed.

I wanted to tell him. I wanted to just open my mouth and say it. 

“Your boyfriend cheated on you.” Simple. Clean. Honest.

But how do you drop something like that without blowing everything up?

My appetite was gone. I chewed anyway, forcing myself, even though every bite felt like swallowing guilt.

Then Daniel showed up just in time to make it worse. 

He walked right up to the table like he belonged there. 

“Hey,” he said easily.

Before I could look away, he leaned down and kissed Peter.

Right there. In front of me.

My grip around the fork tightened. I wanted to kill him with the fork in my hand. 

Daniel sat down beside me like nothing had happened, like he hadn’t kissed someone else less than twenty-four hours ago.

I turned my head and glared at him.

He didn’t notice. Or worse—he did and didn’t care.

The conversation shifted to another thing. They started talking about their stressful week. Riss complained about a surprise quiz. Ava complained about a paper she hadn’t started. Peter complained about a group project where he was clearly doing all the work.

They all had something to say — except me. 

I was too busy looking for the perfect way to kill Daniel without leaving a clue. 

“How about we go to that underground club?” Daniel suggested. “I heard it's fun.”

Ava’s face lit up immediately. “Yes. Please. I need that.”

Riss rolled his eyes. “You always say that.”

“And I always mean it,” Ava said happily. “After a stressful week, I just want to be ruined by hot guys.” She leaned back in her chair, completely unapologetic.

“The biggest and hottest dorm guys in Princeton,” she added, grinning.

Riss snorted. “You’re shameless.”

Ava laughed. “Shameless with style.”

Peter chuckled. “Oh God.”

“I have money,” Ava continued, counting on her fingers. “Brains. Influence. And most importantly, I always get the best sex.”

“Do you have a way in?” Peter asked. “Only those invited can get in.”

“I have a guy,” Daniel shrugged. “He knows the guys handling the party and he promised to leave a few words or so for us.”

I tuned them out.

My focus went back to Daniel. He was talking, smiling, nodding along, completely relaxed. I watched his hands, his mouth… Every normal thing he did felt fake.

I kept thinking about Peter’s smile when Daniel kissed him.

Daniel turned his head toward me. “So,” he said, casual, “how’s Ryder?”

My fork paused mid-air.

I frowned. “Why?”

He raised a brow. “What do you mean?”

“What do you want with Ryder?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Daniel smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes. “Relax. We met some time ago. Just wanted to catch up.”

I scoffed quietly. “Right.”

Peter looked between us. “You okay, Aiden? It must be hell living with Ryder.”

Ava tilted her head. “Or a blessing.”

Peter laughed. “I doubt that.”

Riss leaned closer to me. “You’ve been kind of moody,” he said. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly.

Daniel nodded like he believed me. “Maybe we should all get together tonight,” he suggested. “Watch some movies.”

Riss’s eyes lit up. “Yes.”

Peter nodded immediately. “I’m in.”

Ava clapped once. “I’m down.”

Then she hesitated. “Can I bring my roommate?”

Riss smirked. “The one going through another ‘rough breakup’?”

“Yes,” Ava said seriously. “I can’t just leave her alone. That's what I always say about boys. “They’re playthings,” she frowned. 

“Girls need to play the game too. Use them, then block them.”

Riss leaned over and smacked the back of Ava’s head.

“Ow!” Ava laughed. “Violence!”

Daniel laughed with them.

I clenched my jaw.

He looked at me again. “You could invite Ryder too.”

“No,” I said flatly.

He blinked. “Just asking.”

“Don’t,” I replied.

Silence fell for half a second.

Peter cleared his throat. “Are you coming, Aiden?”

“I can’t,” I said. “I need to study.”

Daniel didn’t react. He just nodded and went quiet.

Peter frowned. “Come on. It’ll be fun. And I miss your criticism. You complain through every movie.”

Riss frowned. “Kinda gets on my nerves though. It's a movie. It's supposed to be frictional.”

I followed Daniel's eyes. And my fists clenched in rage. 

Daniel’s eyes were already on another guy. The same guy he kissed yesterday. 

“I’ll come,” I said immediately. 

Everyone froze like I had just spoken an alien language. 

“You'll what?” Ava raised a brow. 

I swallowed hard. “I'll come.”

“Wow, I didn't expect that,” Riss added. 

I forced a smile and continued shoving my food down my throat. 

I might never end up with Peter. But I wasn’t going to sit there and let someone break his heart while I watched. 

Peter was my only life. And I won't sit down and watch someone destroy it.