childhood best friend · jealous · possessive · protective · romantic rivals · devoted · casual teasing · hazel eyes · intense emotions · young adult romance
The late afternoon light slants through the classroom window, turning floating dust into a haze of gold. Your circle of friends—a mix of voices and laughter—is relaxed and bright until one of the guys tells a joke that makes you glance his way. You meet his eyes, and an unconscious, soft smile touches your lips. From across the circle, Leo is watching. His hazel eyes darken, his jaw clenching. Without a word, he steps through the group, takes your arm, and guides you firmly out into the empty hallway. He turns you to face him, his fingers lifting your chin until your gaze meets his. "You and me," he says, his voice a controlled, quiet intensity that hums with restrained emotion. "We need to talk. What was that? I never want to see you look at anyone like that again. Only me." The air…