Rich Heart,poor souls

Jealousy in the Air

The next day at school, the atmosphere felt charged with unspoken words and unresolved tensions. Amara had spent the night thinking about how to get Kai’s attention, and now she was determined to put her plan into action.

As they gathered in the cafeteria for lunch, she noticed Kai and Leo laughing together at their usual table. Zyran was nowhere in sight, which gave her a glimmer of hope. If she could just make Kai see her in a different light, maybe he’d finally notice her.

“Okay, I’m going for it,” Amara declared, her heart racing. She stood up and straightened her shirt, trying to project confidence.

“Good luck!” Yuu whispered, giving her a thumbs-up as she watched her friend approach the boys’ table.

Amara took a deep breath and walked over. “Hey, Kai!” she said brightly, forcing a smile.

Kai looked up, his expression shifting from amusement to curiosity. “Oh, hey, Amara. What’s up?”

“Not much! Just thought I’d join you guys,” she said, sliding into the seat next to him. “What are you talking about?”

Leo exchanged a knowing look with Kai but said nothing. Instead, Kai shifted slightly, his attention focused on Amara. “We were just messing around with some ideas for the project.”

“Sounds fun! I’d love to hear about it,” Amara said, leaning in closer, hoping to catch Kai’s interest.

As she spoke, she noticed how Kai’s eyes darted around the cafeteria, as if searching for someone. The realization hit her: he was looking for Zyran. A pang of jealousy shot through her, but she quickly pushed it aside.

So, um, have you guys thought about working on that art display?” she asked, trying to steer the conversation.

“Yeah, but I think Zyran had some ideas he wanted to share,” Kai replied, still glancing toward the entrance.

“Maybe I could help you with that! I mean, I can be a part of the group too, right?” Amara pressed, trying to sound casual, though the anxiety bubbled under her words.

Kai turned to her, his brow furrowed in thought. “Sure, but—”

Before he could finish, Zyran entered the cafeteria, laughter trailing behind him. He was with Riku, and as soon as he spotted Kai, his expression changed. The warmth in his eyes dimmed slightly as he noticed Amara sitting beside Kai.

“Hey, everyone!” Zyran called out, his voice bright yet oddly strained when he looked at Kai.

“Zyran! We were just talking about the project,” Leo said, waving him over.

Amara’s heart raced as Zyran approached. She could feel the tension building in the air, especially as Kai’s demeanor shifted. The easy-going Kai was replaced by someone more guarded.

Glad you’re here,” Kai said, though his tone lacked its usual enthusiasm.

Zyran shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, I’ve got some ideas. What did I miss?”

Amara felt an urge to interrupt, to reclaim Kai’s attention. “I was just saying how great it would be if we all worked together!” she exclaimed, looking directly at Zyran.

“Sure, teamwork is key,” Zyran replied, a hint of sarcasm lacing his words as he shot Kai a sidelong glance.

The air crackled with tension as the three of them exchanged glances. Amara noticed how Kai's eyes lingered on Zyran for just a moment too long, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and determination.

Alright, let’s put our heads together,” Kai said, breaking the awkward silence. “We need to come up with something really good.”

As the conversation continued, Amara kept trying to draw Kai’s focus back to her, but every time Zyran spoke, Kai's attention seemed to slip away. It was frustrating, but Amara vowed she wouldn’t give up. She would find a way to make Kai see her, even if it meant battling against the invisible bond between him and Zyran.