The next morning, Leo entered Westwood High with a little more confidence. He'd memorized his schedule, figured out the shortcuts between classes, and even found a place to sit at lunch. Ethan's easygoing kindness made him feel like he might actually fit in here—if it weren't for Kai.
Leo hadn't forgotten the icy glare or the dismissive remarks from the day before. Something about Kai's overbearing attitude grated on him, but he couldn't deny the curiosity brewing beneath his irritation.
By third period, Leo found himself in history class, seated right next to Ethan.
"Morning, new kid," Ethan greeted him with a smile.
"Morning," Leo replied.
The teacher hadn't arrived yet, so the class buzzed with idle chatter. Ethan leaned closer, tapping on Leo's notebook. "How're things? Feeling less like a fish out of water?"
"A little," Leo admitted. "It helps having someone to talk to."
Ethan laughed softly, and for a moment, Leo thought the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. That was, until someone cleared their throat.
"Ethan," Kai said, appearing out of nowhere and hovering like a dark cloud. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Ethan looked up, startled. "Uh, sure." He glanced at Leo apologetically. "Be right back."
Kai didn't wait for Ethan to stand, instead gesturing impatiently for him to follow. They stepped out into the hallway, leaving Leo to stew in his curiosity.
From his seat near the window, Leo could see the two of them through the glass door. Kai was speaking in low, clipped tones, his body rigid. Ethan seemed calm, but there was a small crease between his brows, as if he were trying to defuse a bomb.
When Ethan returned a few minutes later, Kai was gone.
"Everything okay?" Leo asked casually, though his curiosity burned.
Ethan shrugged, his easy smile back in place. "Yeah, Kai just… worries too much."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
Ethan hesitated, then waved it off. "It's nothing. Let's focus on surviving Mr. Peterson's lecture."
Leo let it drop, but a part of him couldn't help but wonder: what was Kai's deal?
By lunchtime, Leo had learned to expect Kai's constant presence. Sure enough, when he arrived at their usual table, Kai was already there, sitting stiffly beside Ethan like a guard dog.
"Leo," Kai greeted, his tone flat.
"Kai," Leo replied, matching his energy.
Ethan sighed. "Can we not do this?"
"Do what?" Kai asked innocently, stabbing a piece of fruit with unnecessary force.
"This whole alpha male standoff thing you've got going on," Ethan said, exasperated. "Leo's not trying to hurt me, okay? You can relax."
Kai didn't respond, but the look he gave Leo made it clear he wasn't convinced.
"I'm sitting right here, you know," Leo said, forcing a smile.
"Unfortunately," Kai muttered.
Ethan groaned. "Seriously, Kai, cut it out."
Leo, who wasn't one to back down from a challenge, decided to test the waters. "Why are you so protective of Ethan, anyway? He's not a kid. He can handle himself."
Kai's eyes snapped to him, sharp and cold. "You don't know anything about him."
"Maybe not yet," Leo shot back, his temper flaring, "but I'd like to."
Ethan cut in, holding up his hands. "Okay, that's enough. Can we just eat lunch without turning it into a drama festival?"
Kai leaned back in his seat but didn't say another word for the rest of the meal.
Later that day, Leo found himself wandering the halls during a free period, camera in hand. He was experimenting with the lighting when he heard footsteps behind him.
"Still stalking Ethan?"
Leo turned to see Kai leaning against the lockers, arms crossed.
"Stalking?" Leo repeated, incredulous. "You mean talking to him like a normal human being?"
Kai smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I've seen guys like you before. You think you can charm your way into his life, but you don't understand what you're getting into."
"And what exactly am I getting into?"
Kai's expression darkened. "Someone who's too good for you."
The words stung more than Leo wanted to admit, but he stood his ground. "You don't get to decide that."
Kai stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not deciding. I'm warning you. Ethan's been through enough without someone like you messing things up."
Leo bristled. "And what makes you the authority on what Ethan needs?"
"I'm his best friend," Kai said simply, as if that explained everything.
Leo crossed his arms. "Maybe instead of trying to scare people off, you should trust Ethan to make his own choices."
Kai stared at him, and for a moment, Leo thought he saw something flicker behind those cold grey eyes—something vulnerable. But just as quickly, it was gone.
"You don't know anything about me," Kai said finally, his voice quiet but firm.
"And whose fault is that?" Leo shot back.
For a moment, the hallway was silent, the tension crackling between them like static. Then Kai turned on his heel and walked away without another word.
Leo exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He didn't know what Kai's problem was, but one thing was clear: Ethan wasn't the only one hiding something.
As he lifted his camera and snapped a shot of the empty hallway, he couldn't help but feel like he'd just stumbled into something far more complicated than he'd bargained for.