Love in the Shadows

Chapter 3

Azlin pulled up to chanlers house, she noticed Charlotte's car and made her way to the door after a few knocks , Chanler answered the door and opened it half way " what's the password" chanler joked " open the door and stop playing" Azlin said with an eye roll. Azlin walked in and followed Chanler to the nicely decorated living room

Azlin's heart raced the moment her eyes landed on Jonah. His presence instantly stirred up the emotions she'd been trying to ignore since the party. Jonah was leaning back on the couch, scrolling through his phone, his hand casually brushing over his perfect waves. His smooth, brown skin seemed to glow under the dim light of Chanler's living room, and the scent of weed lingered in the air, adding to the relaxed vibe.

Chanler flopped onto the couch next to Jonah, grinning at Azlin as she stood there, trying to act unfazed by the sight of Jonah. "You want something to drink, Az?" Chanler asked, but she barely heard him. Her mind was stuck on Jonah. He hadn't noticed her yet, too engrossed in his phone, but that didn't stop her heart from skipping every time she looked his way.

Azlin shook herself out of the daze, finally responding. "Yeah, whatever you've got," she muttered, trying to focus on something—anything—other than Jonah. She sat down on the opposite couch, hoping to create some distance, but the tension in the room was thick.

Finally, Jonah looked up from his phone, his eyes locking onto hers. He gave her a slow, knowing smile, that devilish grin creeping across his face. "What's up, Az?" His voice was low, smooth, sending chills down her spine.

Azlin tried to play it cool, but she couldn't help the slight flush of her cheeks. "Hey," she replied quietly, keeping her tone neutral.

Chanler came back from the kitchen with drinks, passing one to Azlin and taking a seat beside Charlotte, who had been watching the whole exchange with raised eyebrows. She knew something was up but didn't press it just yet.

"So," Chanler said, breaking the silence, "y'all trying to head out soon or what?"

Azlin nodded, eager to get away from the room, the tension, and especially Jonah's eyes, which were still locked onto her. But before she could stand, Jonah spoke up again.

"We should talk, Azlin," he said, his voice lower this time, more serious. "You know, about what happened."

Azlin stiffened, glancing at Charlotte, who was now fully aware that something more was going on between them. "Now's not the time, Jonah," Azlin said quickly, standing up and grabbing her bag. "We're supposed to be chillin', not having some deep conversation."

Jonah didn't seem to care. He stood up too, stepping closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's gotta happen sometime. You can't avoid me forever."

Charlotte's eyes darted between them, sensing the tension but unsure of how to step in. Chanler, oblivious to the undercurrent of emotions, chuckled. "Man, just let it go for now. Ain't nobody tryin' to get into that right now."

But Jonah didn't back down. "Azlin," he said, softer this time, leaning in just enough for only her to hear, "you know we're not done."

Azlin felt her stomach twist, her mind screaming at her to leave, but her feet stayed planted. She couldn't deny the pull Jonah had on her, but at the same time, Marvelous's face flashed in her mind. She couldn't betray him again, not like this.

She swallowed hard, her voice shaky as she responded, "Jonah, we are done. That's it." But even as she said the words, part of her wasn't sure if she believed them.

Jonah stepped back, giving her that same smirk that made her heart race. "We'll see."

As they all pile into the car, the atmosphere is a mix of tension and casual chatter. Chanler, being his usual self, is cracking jokes to lighten the mood, while Charlotte tries to mediate the awkwardness, knowing there's unresolved tension between Jonah and Azlin.