Angelo's POV
I passed by the shooting range where all the criminology students were practicing. It's rare for me to see Chinny teaching students how to shoot. We haven't spoken since the night I yelled at her. I decided not to talk to her anymore. I'm tired of being treated like I'm not human like I don't feel anything. A person's pain tolerance isn't unlimited.
"Angelo!" I turned to the one who called out and smiled.
"Want to go to the cafeteria together?" Jessa asked, and I nodded.
"Is it okay if I ask you to teach me how to use a gun? I've always wanted to learn."
"You're something else," I said as I messed up her hair. "You can always ask Luci or Rhysand. Besides, you already know taekwondo. Why do you need to learn how to shoot? I know martial arts is hard, but handling a gun is even scarier." She pouted, and damn, she looked so adorable. In their group, she's probably the only carefree left.
We walked along the pathway, both smiling.
"I just don't feel like I belong there. The people I'm with are fast learners—they're already tackling advanced lessons while I'm still stuck on the basics. Maybe if I try learning how to shoot, it'll be easier for me to pick up." When I'm with Chinny, I get stressed. But with Jessa, I'm always smiling.
UGH! It's Chinny again. I shouldn't be thinking about her right now. I should be mad at her, right?
"You can try, but don't expect it to be easy. You know how it is." I laughed, and she punched my arm.
"Ugh! You're so mean!" She walked ahead of me. I kept laughing, and then she said something that made me laugh even more. "I hate you now!"
"Really? You hate me now?" I teased as I caught up with her, throwing my arm around her shoulder. Her cheeks turned red.
"Yeah, I hate you," she pouted, clearly annoyed. She looked so cute. She pushed my arm off her shoulder.
If Chinny starts treating me better, could we be like this, too?
Gelo, stop thinking about Chinny.
"Chinny, focus. You can't show off to the students when you can't hit the target." I froze when I heard Lucifer's voice from the shooting range near the pathway. I looked toward the shooting range and saw his serious expression as he stared at me. Lucifer and Chinny were both distracted by Jessa and me.
"Kuys, you're here? Jess, your class started a while ago. Karma's looking for you; she said she has a reviewer to give you for your Obligations and Contracts class," Lucifer said.
We walked over to them.
Kilorn's no longer around, so Lucifer is always with her now. Lucifer and Kilorn are criminal law professors, while Chinny is a criminology professor.
"I already told my students that we don't have class today. As for Karma, I'll look for her later," Jessa replied. Chinny and I made eye contact, but she quickly looked away.
"So, where were we? Let's start again, Chinny," Lucifer said, and Chinny nodded.
"Later, guys. We'll just be at the cafeteria," Jessa said as she pulled me away. But before we left, I saw Lucifer holding Chinny's hand. Damn it!
Even my stupid friend gets to hold Chinny.
"Gelo," Jessa called, snapping me out of my thoughts.
When we got to the cafeteria, we ate together, sitting across from each other.
"You're spacing out again. Is she still the one you're stressing over?" Jessa asked. I sighed and avoided her gaze.
"Do you and Chinny have a problem? You don't seem to be talking to each other."
"Nothing, I just don't feel like talking to her. I'm tired of how she treats me." I bit into a French fry. I didn't want to discuss it anymore, but it was unavoidable.
"Why did you even get yourself into this kind of situation?" She shook her head. "You knew this would happen, but you still took the risk. What am I gonna do with you?"
I closed my eyes tightly. She already knows the answer to her question.
"Yeah, I know," I said. "But maybe you should start paying attention to yourself, too? You're too focused on her. Some so many people care about you, but your feelings for Chinny blind you."
I admit it—I'm a fool, desperate, and a martyr. It's been a long time since I fell for Chinny, yet here I am, still begging for even a little from her.
"Gelo, you're my friend. And I care about you. It hurts me to see you hurting," Jessa said, looking me straight in the eyes. I could see how sincere she was.
"I'm still here," she added, tapping my shoulder. I have to go. Karma texted me that the prelim exam is starting and that I must prepare. See you." She walked away, leaving me behind.
I messed up my hair in frustration. She's right—some people love me, so why is it still here?
Damn you, Cupid.
Chinny's POV
"Luci, how do I fix this gun? I'm confused, and I technically forgot." I said. He came closer, held the gun, and showed me how to load the bullets. He smiled at me.
"Confused about the gun or your feelings?" My eyes widened in shock at what he said, and I immediately pushed him away. Lucifer burst out laughing.
"You're so corny, Luci," I glared at him.
"I'm just teasing you, alright? Don't be so hot-headed," he said. I ignored his taunting.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Angelo married you. You're fiery, and he's calm—you're a perfect match. Opposites do attract," he said, laughing.
In his dreams. I grabbed my bag and walked away before I couldn't stop myself from punching him.
"Chinny, wait! We're not done yet. Come back here," he called out.
I ignored him and walked outside to get some air.
Confused about my feelings? No way.