The skinny girl

Chapter 8

 A Twinge of Jealousy

The next day at school, Emma couldn't shake the memory of her encounter with Noah. They had shared a good laugh and a spark of connection, but she reminded herself that she was happily dating Ethan. Still, she felt a strange mix of excitement and guilt as she walked into the cafeteria, searching for Ethan.

Spotting him at their usual table, Emma approached with a smile. "Hey, Ethan! You won't believe who I met at the park yesterday!"

Ethan looked up, his expression brightening. "Who?"

"A guy named Noah. He's new in town and super into photography. We bumped into each other and ended up chatting for a while," she said, trying to keep her tone light.

Ethan's smile faltered slightly. "Oh, really? Sounds like you had fun."

Emma noticed the shift in his demeanor. "Yeah, it was just a friendly chat! He's nice, but you know I'm all about you," she reassured him, hoping to dispel any jealousy.

"Right," Ethan replied, his voice lacking enthusiasm. "What did you guys talk about?"

"Just random stuff—school, photography, and how he's still getting used to the area. I mentioned our history project too," Emma said, trying to keep the mood upbeat.

Ethan's brow furrowed. "Sounds like you two had a lot to discuss."

Emma could see the jealousy creeping into his eyes. "Ethan, it was nothing! I promise. You know I only have eyes for you," she said, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand.

He hesitated before responding. "I know, but it just feels weird, you know? I mean, you two were laughing and..."

"Laughing? It was just a couple of jokes!" Emma interrupted, trying to lighten the situation. "You know I can be friendly, right?"

"Yeah, I get that. It's just... I don't want anyone thinking they can come between us," Ethan said, his expression softening a bit.

Emma smiled, appreciating his concern. "No one can come between us, Ethan. You're my boyfriend. I'm just trying to be nice to someone new."

"Okay, I trust you," he replied, but Emma could tell he was still a bit uneasy.

As the lunch period wore on, Emma tried to change the subject, but Ethan's tension lingered. They talked about their upcoming history project, but every now and then, Ethan would glance toward the entrance, as if expecting Noah to walk in.

Later that day, as they walked to their next class, Emma felt the need to address the elephant in the room. "Ethan, are you really worried about Noah?"

"I guess I am a little jealous," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... I want to make sure you know how much you mean to me."

Emma stopped walking and turned to face him. "I do know that! And I want you to know that I'm not interested in anyone else. You're the one I care about."

Ethan looked into her eyes, searching for reassurance. "I just don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Emma said firmly. "Let's focus on us. I like being with you, and I want to keep it that way."

Ethan smiled, his tension easing slightly. "Okay, I needed to hear that. I just get protective sometimes."

"I appreciate that," Emma replied, feeling grateful for his honesty. "But I promise, Noah is just a guy I met. You're the one I want to be with."

As they continued to their class, Emma felt a sense of relief. She knew she needed to reassure Ethan, but she also couldn't ignore the strange thrill she felt from her encounter with Noah. It was a reminder that life was unpredictable, and while she cherished her relationship with Ethan, she couldn't help but wonder what other surprises awaited her.