Chapter 3

The moment Luther stepped away from Ariel, she felt the weight of his words pressing down on her, heavy and crushing. ‘It was just a one night stand. The words echoed in her mind.

She clenched her jaw, refusing to let the sting of his words show on her face. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

But her ankle had other plans for her.

Pain shot up her leg with every step she took,making her wince. She gritted her teeth, pushing forward, determined to get to the nurse’s office before anyone could stop her to ask what happened.

Unfortunately, someone did.

“Ariel?”

She barely had time to register the familiar voice before Ethan Cross was suddenly at her side.

Tall, broad shouldered, and effortlessly charming. Ethan had the kind of charm that turned heads wherever he went. His tousled dark brown hair, sharp jawline, and deep blue eyes had earned him the title of campus heartthrob, not to mention he was a star basketball player.

“You’re limping?” His brows furrowed as he took in her pained expression. Without waiting for an answer, he reached out, gently steadying her by the arm. “What happened to you?”

Ariel swallowed, caught off guard by his concern. She barely knew Ethan beyond the occasional interactions between the cheerleaders and the basketball players. They weren’t exactly friends. She had always admired him from a distance, but they never really connected beyond polite small talk.

“I um… slipped during cheer practice.” She admitted, shifting her weight awkwardly.

“During cheer practice? That must have been quite the fall.” He said. “I guess I never realized cheerleading was such a dangerous sport.”

Ariel gave a small, tired laugh. “Only when you’re not paying attention.”

“Well, if you were distracted, it must have been something big.” Ethan teased. “Here, let me help you get to the nurse.”

“Oh, no, I can…”

“Ariel.” Ethan gave her a pointed look. “I’m not letting you limp across campus like a wounded soldier. Just let me help.”

For a moment, she wanted to resist. But the pain in her leg suggested otherwise.

“Fine.” She sighed.

“Smart choice.” Ethan grinned.

As he guided her down the hall, his arm gently supporting her, another pair of eyes watched from a distance.

Luther stood just around the corner,watching them. His expression was unreadable, but his clenched fist and the way he glared at them, betrayed his carefully crafted demeanor. He was jealous, an emotion he hadn't expected to feel.

It was a ridiculous reaction. He had no claim over Ariel. What happened between them was a mistake, one he had already made clear wouldn’t happen again.

And yet watching Ethan hover over her, hearing her laugh at something he said, sent an unexpected flicker of irritation through him.

His hands curled into fists.

He forced himself to look away, to walk off before his thoughts spiraled into something unpleasant.

But someone else had been watching him as well.

A pair of brown eyes observed Luther’s reaction, noting the way his gaze lingered on Ariel.

A frown formed on the observer’s lips.

“Not on my watch.” The observer muttered, storming off.

~~~

“You know” Ethan said as they neared the nurse’s office, “I’ve been hoping to get your attention for a while now. But I didn’t think it would be like this.”

Ariel blinked at him. “What?”

Ethan chuckled. “What? Is that so surprising?”

Ariel let out a small laugh. “More like, confusing. Why would The Ethan Cross want my attention?”

“The Ethan Cross?” He raised an eyebrow.

“You know what I mean.” She gestured vaguely. “You’re on the basketball team. Practically half the school idolizes you. You definitely don't need my attention.”

Ethan smirked. “And yet, here I am.”

Ariel shook her head but she couldn’t deny the warmth creeping up her neck. Ethan had always been smooth, but she never thought he’d direct that charm at her.

They reached the nurse’s office, and Ethan held the door open for her. “After you.”

The nurse, a middle-aged woman with glasses perched on the edge of her nose, immediately noticed Ariel’s limp and ushered her to a chair.

Ethan stood beside her, arms crossed as he watched the nurse examine her ankle. “So? Is she gonna live?” He joked.

The nurse shot him a flat look. “She’ll survive.”

Ariel rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the concern”

“Anytime.” Ethan grinned.

As the nurse wrapped her ankle, the door to the office swung open, and Molly walked in.

Ariel barely managed to suppress a groan.

Molly was a cheerleader as well, one who thrives on attention… particularly from the male population of the school. And the moment she spotted Ethan, her entire demeanor shifted.

“Oh my God, Ethan!” She squealed, completely ignoring Ariel’s presence. “I haven’t seen you all day.”

Ethan chuckled. “Hey, Molly.”

Molly playfully smacked his arm. “Where have you been? I was just telling the girls how unfair it is that you don't sit with us at lunch anymore.”

Ariel watched as Molly leaned closer, fingers trailing lightly over Ethan’s forearm. It was like watching a predator lock its prey.

Ethan didn’t pull away, but he also didn’t encourage her touch. Instead, he smiled. “I’ve been around.”

Molly pouted. “Well, you should be around us more.” She finally glanced at Ariel, as if just realizing she was there. “Oh. Hi, Ariel.”

Ariel gave her a tight lipped smile. “Hi, Molly.”

Molly’s eyes flickered to Ariel’s bandaged ankle, then back to Ethan. “Were you helping her?”

“Yeah,” Ethan replied. “She hurt her ankle at practice but why didn't I see any of you helping her?”

“Professor Grayson caught her just in time, we all thought he was bringing her here.” She said, clearly uninterested. “You’re so sweet, Ethan. Always helping people. It’s one of the things I like about you.”

Ariel took that as her clue to leave.

“Well,” she said, forcing a smile. “I should get going. Thanks, Ethan.”

Ethan turned to her. “I’ll help you.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure you can walk back?” He asked.

“Of course. Thanks again.”

Ethan hesitated, but then nodded. “Alright. See you later?”

Ariel nodded, unsure, then stood, carefully not to put too much weight on her injured foot.

As she limped out of the nurse’s office, she could still hear Molly’s giggles and Ethan’s amused responses behind her.

Typical.

She made her way toward the locker room, intent on grabbing her things and heading back to her dorm.

But as she reached the hallway, a scream echoed through the air.

Ariel froze, wondering what happened.