Chapter 8: Jealousy in the Lecture Hall

Juliet stared at the roses and the note in her hands. The handwriting looked too much like Adrian’s and her pulse wouldn’t slow down. She quickly stuffed everything into her bag before anyone else could see.

“Or was someone playing a very dangerous game?” she whispered to herself.

She left the club fast that night and went straight home. Sleep didn’t come easy and every time she closed her eyes, she saw the roses, the note, and Adrian’s face from class.

The next morning, she dragged herself to campus. Her body still ached from the extra sets she danced. She kept her head down as she walked into the lecture hall for Literature class.

Mia was already sitting in their usual spot and she waved Juliet over.

“You look worse today,” Mia said as soon as Juliet sat down. “Did you even sleep? And don’t lie to me this time.”

Juliet dropped her bag and rubbed her eyes. “I’m okay. Just that a lot is going on in my mind.”

Mia leaned closer. “Is it still about that costume? Because I can’t stop thinking about it. You’ve been acting so strange lately. If you’re in some kind of trouble, Jules, I’m serious. I’ll help you.”

Before Juliet could answer, the lecture hall door opened and Adrian walked in. The room got quieter and he set his bag down and started class right away.

“Today we continue our discussion on desire and consequences,” he said. His voice was calm, but his eyes found Juliet almost immediately.

The lesson moved forward and students raised their hands and gave opinions. Juliet tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting to the roses backstage and the note that said she was made for sin.

Near the end of class, Chloe stood up. She was the president of the biggest sorority on campus… tall, confident, with long dark hair and a smile that always got what it wanted.

“Professor Knight,” Chloe said sweetly, walking to the front of the room. “I have a question. Actually, more like a request.”

Adrian turned to her. “Go ahead.”

Chloe smiled wider and stepped even closer. “Some of us in the literature club were hoping you could give us private tutoring sessions. Maybe after hours? I’d be happy to… organize everything.” She reached out and lightly touched his arm. “I’m really good at making things comfortable for you.”

The class went quiet and a few girls giggled. Juliet felt something sharp twist in her chest and she gripped her pen so hard it almost snapped.

Adrian looked down at Chloe’s hand on his arm. He didn’t pull away immediately, but his face stayed neutral. “I appreciate the offer, Miss Langford. But my office hours are open to everyone. No need for special arrangements.”

Chloe didn’t move her hand. “But I learn better one-on-one. Don’t you think some students deserve extra attention? Especially the ones who really… appreciate you.”

She leaned in a little more and her fingers stayed on his arm.

Juliet’s stomach burned and she hated the feeling. She had no right to feel possessive and Adrian wasn’t hers. He was her professor. But watching Chloe touch him so freely made her want to stand up and pull that hand away.

Adrian finally stepped back. “My answer is still no. Anyone who needs help can come during regular hours. Class dismissed.”

Students started packing up. Chloe stayed near Adrian’s desk for a moment longer, laughing softly at something he said. Juliet couldn’t hear the words, but she saw Chloe touch his arm again before finally walking away.

Mia noticed Juliet staring. “Wow. Chloe is really going for it. She’s been talking about him nonstop in the group chat. You okay? You look like you want to kill someone.”

“I’m fine,” Juliet said but her voice came out tight.

As the hall emptied, Adrian’s eyes found hers across the room. This time they stayed dark and hungry and different from the way he looked at Chloe. Like she was the only person in the entire building.

Juliet’s breath caught. That look said everything Chloe’s flirting couldn’t. It was only for her.

She stood up quickly and headed for the door. Her heart was racing again. She stepped into the hallway and tried to walk normally, but her legs felt weak.

“Miss Sinclair.”

Adrian’s voice stopped her cold.

She turned around and the hallway was almost empty now. Most students had already left for their next class. Adrian stood just outside the lecture hall door.

He walked toward her slowly and when he reached her, he caught her wrist gently but firmly and his fingers felt warm against her skin.

“Miss Sinclair,” he said, voice low so only she could hear. “If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”

Juliet’s mouth went dry and she looked up at him. “Looking at you like what?”

“Like you want me to drag you into the nearest empty room and show you exactly what those gray areas we talked about feel like,” he said and his thumb brushed the inside of her wrist. “Like you’re jealous.”

Her cheeks burned but she didn’t deny it. She couldn’t.

“I saw Chloe,” she whispered. “She was all over you.”

Adrian’s eyes darkened even more. “And that bothered you?”

Juliet didn’t answer right away. She just stared at him. The hallway felt too quiet now and too dangerous.

Adrian leaned in slightly. “Good. Because the only person I’m thinking about is you. Not her. Not anyone else. Just you, Juliet.”

The way he said her name made her knees weak. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.

He let go of her wrist slowly, his fingers trailing down her skin. “Be careful. People are already talking. But if you keep looking at me like you want to be mine… I might stop caring who sees.”

He stepped back just as a group of students turned the corner. The normal professor mask returned to his face in seconds.

“Have a good day, Miss Sinclair,” he said politely, then turned and walked away.

Juliet stood there for a long moment, heart pounding, and wrist still tingling where he had touched her.

She wanted him so badly it scared her.

And someone out there, the person who sent the roses, the notes, the threats was watching every single move they made.