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(edited)

"What?!"

Hannah's voice rang out across the gym with a volume that turned heads and silenced nearby conversations. I flinched, immediately shrinking into myself as if the bleachers might swallow me whole. The last thing I needed was for people to start staring, especially over something like this.

We sat on the side of the gym, tucked away from the chaos of basketballs bouncing and students shouting over drills. The semester had only just begun, and somehow, I found myself confiding in Hannah. I was telling her about Myles, about the way he looked at me like I was the only thing up on that hill that mattered. He stood just a few meters away now, chatting with Vince, and every so often, he glanced in my direction. Each time his eyes found mine, a warm flush crept up my neck.

Hannah turned to me, her expression shifting from wide-eyed shock to a sly grin. She leaned in, her gaze bouncing between me and Myles as though watching the start of a teen romance movie. I tried not to smile too hard, but my lips betrayed me. The grin stretched wider with every second.

The twins, stood near Myles. They weren't far, just a few feet away, positioned like silent bodyguards. Dylan and Alex kept their eyes locked on Myles with that sharp, unreadable look they always wore when they didn't like something. Arms crossed and jaws tense, they looked ready to pounce. Myles, oblivious to their hovering disapproval, continued talking to Vince with a relaxed posture, flashing the occasional glance at me. Vince, for his part, seemed amused by everything, a grinning tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I tried to suppress the giddy excitement bubbling up inside me. "Shush!" I hissed, nudging Hannah, though I couldn't wipe the smile off my face if I tried.

She ignored the warning. "He is so hot!" she said, her voice filled with delight. "Like, right up there with your cousin. I'm so happy for you, Nef, seriously." She flung her arms around me, squeezing tight. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself laughing along with her.

Hannah had become one of my closest friends over the past few months. Like Val, she felt more like a sister than a classmate. There was a warmth in her that made me feel safe and understood. I didn't know how I'd gotten by without her before.

"He kisses really well!" I confessed, biting my lower lip as my face burned even hotter.

Her gasp was theatrical, and I was about to laugh again when a shadow fell over us. We both looked up and saw the twins standing a few feet away, watching us like silent judges. Hannah tensed beside me, her spine going rigid.

"Uhm, Hannah, could you please leave us alone?" I asked awkwardly, as if I didn't already know she was intimidated but them.

She stood up abruptly, her voice shaky as she mumbled something about needing to find her brother. Before I could respond, she was gone, disappearing into the crowd with the urgency of someone escaping an ambush.

Dylan stared after her for a beat before glancing back at me. "Why are all your friends so weird?" he muttered.

"She's not weird!" I replied, crossing my arms. "She's just convinced you're dangerous because of the rumors. Honestly, she's probably scared of you!"

Dylan smirked faintly. "As she should be."

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you even here? You were glaring again. Was it at Myles?"

As soon as I said his name, my face betrayed me, turning bright red. I pulled the sleeves of my hoodie up over my fingers, leaving only my fingertips visible. Dylan and Alex exchanged a look, clearly communicating without words. Then, without warning, Dylan turned and began walking toward Myles and Vince. Alex followed him closely, moving with quiet intensity.