Beneath the Bully's Gaze

31

The school day dragged on like a weight tied to Mira's heart, each passing minute stretching into eternity. She had tried her best to avoid Ethan, taking alternate routes and sitting in different corners of the cafeteria. But no matter how hard she tried, he always seemed to find her, like a shadow lurking just out of sight, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

As she navigated the bustling hallways, she caught glimpses of him—his unmistakable figure surrounded by friends, his laughter ringing out like a taunt. Each time she saw him, her heart raced, a mix of anxiety and an inexplicable thrill that she wished she could erase. She was determined to keep her distance, to shield herself from the pain of seeing him with that stunning girl from yesterday.

But the universe had other plans.

"Mira!" Ethan's voice sliced through the noise of the hallway, and her stomach dropped. She turned reluctantly, forcing herself to meet his gaze. There was a playful glint in his eyes, a familiar mischief that sent shivers down her spine. He approached with an air of confidence, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Running away from me?" he teased, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Not at all," she shot back, trying to sound braver than she felt. "I just have things to do."

"Oh really? Like what? Avoiding me? Because it's not working," he retorted, stepping closer, the teasing glimmer in his eyes intensifying.

Mira crossed her arms defensively. "I saw you with that girl yesterday," she blurted out, the words tumbling from her lips before she could stop them. "Is she your girlfriend?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her sudden curiosity. "What if she is?" he replied, a mock seriousness in his tone. "Jealous?"

"No," she snapped, but her voice lacked conviction. "I just think you could do better."

"Better?" Ethan chuckled, shaking his head as if she had just told him the funniest joke. "She's not even that pretty. Just some random girl."

The words cut through the air, and Mira felt an involuntary pang of hurt, mixed with anger. "So you're saying you don't think she's beautiful?" she pressed, her heart racing.

Ethan leaned closer, his expression shifting to something colder, more calculating. "Not beautiful at all," he stated flatly, his voice lowering as he added, "Not as pretty as you."

The unexpected compliment caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. She blinked, trying to decipher if he was serious or if this was just another part of his game.

"Stop it, Ethan," she said, trying to keep her tone steady. "You don't have to say things like that just to get a reaction out of me."

"Oh, but I think I do," he replied with a smirk, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, I wouldn't want you to think I'm falling for some girl who can't hold a candle to you. Besides, you know how much I love to tease."

Mira felt her cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and confusion. "This isn't funny," she said, taking a step back. "You're just being cruel again."

"Cruel?" Ethan echoed, feigning innocence. "I thought we were having a moment here, Mira. Just because you want to run away doesn't mean I'll let you."

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" she exclaimed, frustration boiling over. "I don't want to play your games anymore."

Ethan's expression shifted, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw something softer in his eyes—a flicker of vulnerability. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, replaced by that familiar coldness.

"Maybe I just enjoy your company," he said, crossing his arms defiantly. "Or maybe I like watching you squirm. Who knows?"

Mira turned on her heel, unwilling to let him see how deeply his words affected her. She stormed away, her heart pounding in her chest, each step echoing her resolve to distance herself from him, even as a small part of her wished he'd chase after her, that he'd show her a glimpse of the boy she thought he could be.

As she walked away, she felt a mix of anger and longing, the ache in her chest growing heavier. *Why did he have to be so infuriatingly charming?* And why did she let him get under her skin so easily? She was tired of the push and pull, of the teasing that felt more like a game than genuine feelings.

With each step, she reminded herself that Ethan was nothing more than a bully disguised in a handsome exterior. No matter how many times he caught her off guard, she couldn't let him hold that kind of power over her heart. It was time to draw the line, to reclaim her sense of self, even if it meant facing the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Here's a chapter where Mira finds herself in a precarious situation at school, and Ethan steps in to help her. The moment leads to an awkward but charged interaction between them.