Chapter 4: Sabotage and Sparks

The next day, Lila arrived at the library early, determined to get a head start on tutoring. Her backpack was slung over one shoulder, her notebook clutched tightly, and her heart still raced from yesterday’s session.

She wasn’t nervous about the tutoring itself. She was nervous about Vanessa.

Because she had a feeling Vanessa wouldn’t let this go quietly.

Ethan arrived ten minutes later, sliding into the chair across from her. He looked tired probably from last night’s practice but his blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Morning,” he said, stretching lazily. “You ready to save me from academic disaster?”

Lila raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see. You still owe me a lot of patience.”

He grinned. “I think I can manage that… for you.”

Heat rose to her cheeks.

They started going through the coding exercises again, but this time the atmosphere was… different. Lila found herself glancing up at Ethan more than usual, noticing the way his dark hair fell across his forehead, the faint curve of his lips when he concentrated, the strong, lean muscles visible under his jersey.

And she was caught off guard when he leaned in slightly.

“You’re really good at this,” he said softly. “I don’t know how I survived in your class without paying attention.”

“Uh… thanks,” Lila stammered, trying to focus on the screen.

Just as she was starting to regain some composure, the quiet library was interrupted by a loud voice.

“LILA!”

Lila froze. Her heart sank.

Vanessa.

She strode toward them, notebook in hand this time. “Hey, genius girl! I thought I’d drop by to see if my boyfriend was getting enough… help.”

Ethan sighed, clearly annoyed. “Vanessa, can we”

Vanessa ignored him, her sharp green eyes fixed on Lila.

“You know,” Vanessa said sweetly, “I hate to see someone wasting time when Ethan could be… focusing on more important things. Like parties. Or, you know, me.”

Her smirk made Lila’s stomach twist.

“I’m tutoring him,” Lila said firmly, trying to hold her ground.

Vanessa leaned closer, almost conspiratorially, as if sharing a secret. “You’re cute, I’ll give you that. But let me give you some advice…”

Lila braced herself.

“Never get in the way of a queen. Especially not me.”

With that, Vanessa turned sharply, sending a stack of papers flying in her wake. They scattered across the table and floor.

Lila jumped up, scrambling to gather them.

Ethan rose as well, his blue eyes flashing with irritation. “Vanessa, that’s enough.”

Vanessa smirked one last time and left, heels clicking down the hall.

Lila looked up at Ethan, mortified. “I’m so sorry”

He shook his head, kneeling to help her pick up the papers.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said, handing her a stack. “Vanessa just… has a flair for drama.”

Lila’s cheeks flushed. “A big flair.”

He grinned at her, leaning closer. “And somehow, I think she might like you.”

Lila choked on her breath. “W-what?”

Ethan leaned back, smiling teasingly. “Don’t get flustered. I’m just saying… she’s definitely aware of you now. And she doesn’t like it.”

Heat rose to her face. “I… I can handle her.”

“Good,” he said, eyes glinting. “Because we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”

Lila’s stomach twisted again, but this time… it wasn’t fear.

It was excitement.

They went back to tutoring, and Ethan started asking her questions he clearly already knew the answer to, teasing her with sly comments.

“Come on,” he said, smirking. “Surely you can make me understand this faster.”

Lila shot him a glare, but her lips twitched into a small smile.

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” she muttered.

He grinned, leaning closer across the table. “Lucky? I think you’re lucky.”

Their shoulders brushed, sending an electric jolt up her arm. Lila’s notebook trembled in her hands.

But just as she started to relax, a shadow fell across the table.

Vanessa.

Again.

She leaned over Lila, resting a perfectly manicured hand on the edge of the table, her green eyes piercing.

“You know,” Vanessa said softly, just for Lila, “some things aren’t meant for girls like you. I’d watch your back if I were you.”

Then, before Lila could respond, Vanessa straightened, threw a wink at Ethan, and walked away.

Lila’s chest heaved.

Ethan reached over and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “Ignore her,” he whispered, close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath.

Her heart raced. “I… I’m trying.”

“Good,” he said, leaning back with that teasing grin again. “Because tutoring me is going to be… dangerously fun.”

The library clock ticked loudly, but Lila hardly noticed. Something told her this wasn’t just a tutoring session… It was the beginning of a battle she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

And somewhere in the shadows, Vanessa was already planning her next move.

After Vanessa stormed off, the library suddenly felt smaller. Lila’s heart was still racing, but now it wasn’t just fear it was something else. Something dangerous. Something exciting.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with amusement.

“You know,” he said, smirking, “Vanessa’s really dramatic.”

Lila rolled her eyes. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

He chuckled softly. “Relax. She’s just… territorial.”

“Territorial?” Lila repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” he said, leaning closer, his voice low. “And apparently, you’ve made her very aware of yourself.”

Lila’s cheeks flamed. “Me? I didn’t do anything!”

Ethan leaned back, grinning. “Oh, you did. Just by existing.”

Her notebook slipped slightly from her hands. She caught it just in time, flustered.

“Careful,” he teased, leaning closer. “I wouldn’t want you to drop anything important.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

Before she could answer, a loud slam echoed through the library.

Vanessa had returned.

Lila froze.

Vanessa’s green eyes bored into hers. “So… tutoring, huh?” she said, her tone syrupy-sweet. “How cute. But you know, Ethan… he’s got a lot going on. You might want to be careful not to… overstep.”

Lila clenched her fists under the table. She wanted to tell Vanessa to leave, but she didn’t dare.

Ethan, however, was already standing. He leaned slightly toward Vanessa.

“That’s enough,” he said firmly. “Lila’s helping me with schoolwork. End of story.”

Vanessa’s smile widened. “Oh, I’m sure it is… for now.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving a trail of perfume and tension.

Lila exhaled shakily.

“You’re… not scared?” Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m… fine,” she said, though her chest was still tight.

He smirked. “Good. Because tutoring me is going to get… complicated.”

Lila’s stomach twisted. “Complicated?”

“Yeah,” he said, leaning closer across the table. “Because I plan on testing your patience.”

“You’re impossible,” she muttered.

“I’m impossible,” he admitted, grinning. “And lucky for you… you’re starting to like it.”

Heat rose to her cheeks.

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:

Be careful. Vanessa isn’t done.

Her heart skipped. Someone knew.

She glanced at Ethan, but he was busy leaning over the laptop again, pretending to be absorbed in the code.

Lila swallowed. She had a sinking feeling that Vanessa was just getting started.

And she also realized something dangerous:

She was already thinking about Ethan more than she should.

As they packed up their things to leave, the library door creaked open again.

Vanessa appeared, leaning against the frame, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with warning.

“You two aren’t finished,” she said.

Lila’s chest tightened.

This was just the beginning.