I told myself it was nothing. That one look didn't mean anything.
But deep down, I knew I was lying.
Ethan had always been distant. He didn't acknowledge me much, and when he did, it was with the kind of smirk that made it clear he found this whole situation amusing.
That changed the morning after the banquet.
I came downstairs for breakfast, expecting an empty kitchen. Instead, I found Ethan leaning against the counter, a cup of coffee in hand, looking entirely too at ease in his sweatpants and t-shirt.
"Morning, stepsis," he greeted, his voice dripping with amusement.
I rolled my eyes and grabbed a glass of orange juice. "Don't call me that."
"Why not?" he asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "That's what we are now, aren't we?"
I refused to answer, focusing on my drink instead.
Ethan set his cup down and crossed his arms, watching me. "You always avoid me. Why?"
I met his gaze, forcing myself to stay calm. "I don't avoid you."
His lips curved into a smirk. "Liar."
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, my phone buzzed with a message from Claire. I used it as an excuse to escape, mumbling something about having class before rushing out.
But as I left, I could feel Ethan's eyes on me.
And for the first time, I wondered if I was the only one struggling with this.