Love Admits Deceit

Someone Was Bound To Get Hurt

The next day, snow fell steadily from the sky, blanketing the streets in a soft, white cover. Emma arrived at school early, her breath visible in the cold air. She had forgotten to wear a hoodie and was now shivering in the biting wind. Just before she reached the entrance, she noticed Ethan leaning against the school’s front doors, his dark hoodie making him look like he was part of the winter scenery.

Ethan's eyes narrowed when he saw her, his gaze quickly sweeping over her frame. "You're freezing," he said, taking off his hoodie without hesitation.

Emma, already aware of her lack of winter gear, shook her head. "I’m fine, really—"

Ethan didn’t listen. He stepped closer and, despite her protest, gently draped the hoodie over her shoulders. The warmth immediately seeped into her skin, and she pulled it tighter instinctively. "I told you I'm fine," she muttered, but a small, grateful smile played on her lips.

"Yeah, yeah," Ethan grinned, brushing off her half-hearted protest. "Just wear it."

They entered the school together, Ethan walking beside her like it was the most natural thing in the world. But as soon as they stepped into the hallway, Jake spotted them from across the room. His eyes zeroed in on Emma—and more importantly, on the hoodie she was wearing. Ethan’s hoodie.

For a moment, Jake felt a wave of jealousy rise inside him, sharp and bitter. It wasn’t just the sight of Emma in someone else’s clothing; it was the undeniable bond that had formed between her and Ethan over the months. He had seen it, felt it even, but now it was staring him right in the face. Yet, Jake quickly composed himself. He couldn't let it show, not in front of everyone. He forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Mia, who was walking with Jake, caught the shift in his expression. Her heart sank as she watched the way Jake’s gaze lingered on Emma. She had known for a while now—Jake's feelings for Emma were deeper than friendship, and it hurt. She had developed her own feelings for Jake, but he barely noticed her in that way. Every smile he gave Emma, every glance that held just a little more affection, made Mia feel like she was invisible.

Now, seeing him pretend like he didn’t care, while jealousy flickered in his eyes, only made Mia feel worse. She clenched her jaw, trying to suppress the growing ache in her chest. Why couldn’t he look at her the way he looked at Emma? She’d always been there for him, but his heart was clearly elsewhere.

As the group came together, the tension between them was palpable, though unspoken. Emma, oblivious to the storm brewing around her, chatted with Ethan, grateful for the warmth of his hoodie. Meanwhile, Jake’s forced smile faltered just slightly, and Mia bit her lip, trying not to let her own frustration show.

Everything seemed fine on the surface, but underneath, the dynamics between them were shifting—fragile, complicated, and ready to unravel.

As the day went on, the tension between them became harder to ignore. In class, Emma sat beside Ethan, her focus on her work, but occasionally her thoughts drifted to the hoodie wrapped around her shoulders. It smelled faintly of him—fresh and comforting. She couldn’t deny that there was something about Ethan that made her feel safe, even though she tried hard to bury any feelings that might complicate her life further.

Across the room, Jake could barely concentrate. His eyes kept wandering to Emma, to the hoodie she wore, and then to Ethan sitting next to her. A knot tightened in his chest. He had watched her all these months, hoping that she would notice him the way he noticed her. But now, it was becoming painfully clear—Emma had feelings for Ethan. Maybe she wasn’t even aware of them herself, but Jake could see it in the way she smiled when Ethan was around, in the way her defenses lowered when they talked.