Competing With Desire (GxG)

{five} "triggered"

Isabelle Hartman

The late afternoon sun poured through the window of my dorm, casting a warm glow that danced across the cluttered room. I sank back against the pillows, feeling the softness beneath me. Emily was cuddled up beside me, her body pressed against mine, her head nestled into the crook of my neck.

"Is this okay?" she murmured, her breath warm against my skin.

"Definitely," I replied, a smile creeping onto my face as I wrapped my arms around her. There was something so soothing about this moment, her warmth radiating against me like a protective shield from the chaos of my life. I loved having her close, feeling the rise and fall of her breathing syncing with mine.

"Just don't fall asleep on me," I teased lightly, stroking her hair as I pulled her in tighter. She sighed contentedly, her fingers tracing patterns on my arm, and I couldn't help but relax further into the moment. It felt like we were in our own little world, away from the pressures of class, and especially away from Chloe.

Just as I was about to lose myself completely in this blissful moment, my phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the spell. I shifted slightly, reaching for it while trying not to disturb Emily. The name on the screen made my stomach drop. Chloe.

'Can we go over our notes later?'

I scowled, irritation flaring up as I read the message. Of course she would choose this moment to reach out, wanting to discuss the project like we were friends or something. I rolled my eyes, ready to fire back a snarky response when I felt a gentle tug on my arm.

"Who is it?" Emily asked, peeking up at me with those big, curious eyes that made my heart flutter.

"Chloe," I muttered, feeling my irritation grow. I glanced down at her, ready to explain, but Emily's expression shifted. A mischievous smile spread across her face as she took my phone from my hand.

"Let's have some fun," she said, her voice laced with a playful challenge.

Before I could protest, she tilted her head toward me, her lips brushing against my jaw, sending shivers racing down my spine. I froze for a moment, caught off guard by the warmth of her kiss.

What the fuck was she doing?

In a flash, Emily snapped a quick selfie, capturing the moment of intimacy—her lips pressed against my skin, our bodies tangled together like we belonged in this perfect little bubble. She grinned up at me, a glint of mischief in her eyes, and before I could stop her, she sent the photo along with a message:

'She's busy right now, sorry.'

I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks as I processed what just happened. "You're insane!" I half-laughed, half-protested.

Emily snuggled back into me, clearly pleased with herself. "Just giving Chloe a taste of what she's missing," she said, her tone light, as if this was all just a fun game.

"Are you trying to provoke her?" I asked, my heart racing, a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling inside me.

"Maybe," Emily replied, a mischievous grin still plastered on her face. "But it'll be fun to see her squirm a little."

I shook my head, laughing softly. "You're going to make her mad, you know that?"

"Good. Maybe she'll finally get the hint," Emily said with a wink, and I couldn't help but admire her boldness.

But just as quickly as the laughter came, it faded into the background noise of my thoughts. Chloe's name always seemed to trigger a wave of anxiety in me. The tension between us was suffocating, always lurking just below the surface.