You All Over Me [BxB]

Ten

Jacob looks at Stella, one eyebrow arched. He can't quite read her yet, but she seems to be someone Theodore cares about. He'll have to tread lightly.

"Our families go way back," he replies. "We're from the same circle, so we've known each other since we were kids."

Stella raises an eyebrow. "How young?"

"Uh, when I was eleven or twelve."

"How come he's never mentioned you before?"

He glances at Theodore again, who is now placing their order at the cashier.

Theodore never mentioning him—not surprising, but actually much preferable. He'd choose that over Theodore regurgitating the same things others spew about him.

"We recently... just became friends."

Friends. Are they actually friends? Who knows? Do people go around confirming that anymore?

"Oh."

Jacob takes his chance. "And how do you know Theo?"

Stella gives him a playful leer. "Curious, are you?"

Jacob shifts in his seat. "You asked me first."

"True, true," Stella concedes, twirling the ring on her finger thoughtfully. "We're actually high school classmates. I moved back from the States not too long ago." She sighs, a hint of remorse in her voice. "Theo's my favorite person, my best friend. I regret not reaching out to him after I left. But I'm so grateful he welcomed me back. He hasn't changed a bit. Still as kind."

Jacob suppresses a wince and lets out an indifferent: "Ah."

Stella edges closer, lips pinched in scrutiny.

"What?"

"You don't seem to like me," she remarks candidly.

Jacob doesn't deny it. Instead of feeling bothered, Stella bursts out laughing.

"What's funny?"

She stops but retains a sly smile on her lips. "Do you see me as a threat?"

"Huh?"

"Do you have a crush on Theo?"

Stella's question hangs in the air, and Jacob feels his stomach churn in panic, his fingers instinctively finding their way into his tousled hair.

"Where did that come from?"

"Just a feeling," Stella replies casually, amused.

"That's... That's not..."

Footsteps draw closer. Theodore is approaching, carrying their tray of food.

"So, do you?" Stella presses.

Jacob doesn't—can't—answer. It's not something he's considered prior to talking to her.

Theodore places the food on the table and flops down into his seat

"What are you guys talking about?" he asks, passing them their meals.

Jacob flinches, shooting Stella a desperate look. She takes a spoonful of mashed potatoes.

"Nothing important," she lies and changes the topic. "Anyway, about the case of People of the Philippines versus Santiago..."

The agitation in Jacob's chest dies down a little, though his body feels ten degrees hotter. He starts to eat mechanically, slipping his mask back on.

Is that it? Is what he's feeling a crush?

Hell no. He doesn't like Theodore that way. He's more of a rival. Ever since they were kids, people have adored him. Everyone.