The next morning, I walked into the kitchen to find James already there, leaning against the counter with a coffee mug in hand. He looked up as I entered, his expression unreadable. The tension from last night still lingered, and I wasn't sure how to break the silence.

"Morning," I said, heading toward the coffee pot.

"Morning," he replied, his tone casual but clipped.

I poured myself a cup, the quiet between us feeling heavier than usual. James wasn't the type to stay quiet for long, but something about his mood this morning felt different, almost guarded.

"Still brooding about yesterday?" I asked, turning to face him, my voice more challenging than I intended.

He raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his coffee. "Brooding? I think you're projecting, princess."

"Don't act like you weren't being a complete ass last night."

His smirk appeared, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Just calling it like I see it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I shot back, crossing my arms.

He set his mug down, his gaze meeting mine with a seriousness I hadn't expected. "It means you're letting some guy you barely know walk in and sweep you off your feet."

I stared at him, caught off guard by his bluntness. "What's your problem, James? Why do you even care?"

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. "I don't," he said finally, though the words felt hollow. "But someone has to make sure you're not getting played."

"Played?" I repeated, incredulous. "Ethan is nothing like that. He's nice, James. Something you wouldn't understand."

His expression darkened. "Yeah, because nice guys never have ulterior motives, right?"

"Oh, give me a break," I snapped. "Not every guy is you."

That hit its mark. His smirk vanished, replaced by a flash of something I couldn't quite place, hurt, maybe, or frustration. He stepped closer, his voice low and sharp.

"You think I don't care?" he said, his tone challenging. "You think I don't notice when you're off chasing some fantasy while ignoring what's right in front of you?"

I blinked, stunned into silence. The air between us felt charged, the unspoken words hanging heavy. For a moment, I couldn't look away from him, his brown eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

"Forget it," he muttered, stepping back and grabbing his mug. "Do whatever you want, Hailey. It's your life."

He brushed past me, heading out of the kitchen without another word. I stood there, staring after him, my chest tight with confusion and frustration. What had just happened?

-

The cafeteria buzzed with energy as I walked toward the table where Amber and Liam were already sitting. Amber waved me over, her usual bright smile making it easy to spot her in the crowd. Liam, on the other hand, was absorbed in his phone, barely looking up as I set my tray down.

"Hey," I said, sliding into the seat next to Amber.

"Finally!" she said dramatically. "We were starting to think you got lost."

I rolled my eyes, pulling out my sandwich. "I got held up in class."

Just as I took my first bite, I spotted Ethan walking toward us. He had a tray in one hand and his bag slung over his shoulder, his confident stride making it clear he wasn't nervous about joining us.

"Hey, Hailey," he said, stopping at the edge of the table. "Mind if I sit?"

"Not at all," I said, smiling as he set his tray down next to mine. "Amber, Liam, you remember Ethan."

Amber beamed. "Of course! Nice to see you again."

Liam gave a polite nod. "Hey."

Ethan's eyes shifted to Emma, who had just arrived with her tray. She glanced at him curiously as she took the last open seat.

"And this is Emma," I added, gesturing toward her.

"Nice to meet you," Ethan said warmly, offering a small wave.

Emma smiled. "You too. So, you're the famous psych buddy we've been hearing about?"

Ethan laughed lightly, glancing at me. "I guess so. Hope I'm living up to the hype."

Amber nudged me with her elbow, grinning. "Oh, you are."

As the conversation flowed easily, I noticed James walking into the cafeteria. He wasn't alone, a girl I didn't recognize was beside him, laughing at something he said as they walked closely together. She playfully bumped his arm, and he leaned in slightly, whispering something that made her laugh harder.

I tried to ignore the twist in my stomach as James parted ways with the girl and headed toward our table, his ever-present smirk firmly in place.

"Hey," he said casually, dropping his tray onto the table and sliding into the seat next to Liam. His eyes flicked to Ethan for a brief moment before he leaned back, crossing his arms. "What'd I miss?"

"You remember Ethan," Amber said quickly, her tone cheerful but slightly strained. "Hailey's psych buddy."

"Right," James said, his smirk widening. "The coffee guy."

I shot him a warning look, but he ignored it, focusing on Ethan. He gave me a look as James said that.

Amber, ever the mediator, jumped in to keep things light. "Ethan's majoring in psych, focusing on behavioral research. Isn't that awesome?"

"Yeah," Emma chimed in. "Hailey mentioned you're really passionate about working with kids. That's amazing."

Ethan smiled, his confidence unwavering. "Thanks. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I think early intervention can make a huge difference."

"Definitely," Emma said, nodding enthusiastically. "You've got such a clear goal. That's really impressive."

James's smirk twitched, and he leaned forward slightly. "Must be nice, having it all figured out."

Ethan glanced at him, his tone calm. "It's a work in progress, but yeah, I feel lucky to have some direction."

"Good for you," James said, leaning back again. His tone was light, but there was a subtle edge that wasn't lost on anyone at the table

Amber and Emma quickly steered the conversation back to lighter topics, and Ethan fit in effortlessly, laughing at their jokes and contributing his own. Even Liam seemed to relax slightly, engaging with Ethan about their shared interest in psychology.

James, however, remained unusually quiet, occasionally glancing at Ethan with a look I couldn't quite decipher. When the topic shifted to a professor's upcoming project, James finally spoke up.

"So, Ethan," Liam said, his voice casual. "What's your game plan after school? Going straight into research?"

"Yeah, that's the idea," Ethan replied. "I want to work in schools, helping kids navigate their challenges."

Liam nodded slowly, his smirk returning. "Interesting. Hope you've got the patience for it. Kids aren't exactly predictable."

"That's part of the challenge," Ethan said easily. "But I'm ready for it."

Amber shot James a pointed look. "James, why don't you tell Ethan about neurology? It's not like your path is exactly a walk in the park."

James shrugged, his smirk fading slightly. "I'm sure he's not interested in my life story."

I rolled my eyes, unable to hold back. "Right, because everything has to be about you, doesn't it?"

James's gaze snapped to mine, his smirk reappearing with a sharp edge. "I was just trying to keep the focus on your new buddy here, princess. Didn't want to steal the spotlight."

"Don't call me that," I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

Amber cleared her throat loudly, cutting through the tension. "Okay, let's not ruin lunch. Ethan, you've got to tell us about the professor you mentioned in psych earlier. He sounds... intense."

Ethan hesitated, glancing between James and me before launching into a story about his class. The tension at the table eased slightly, but I couldn't shake the feeling of James's gaze lingering on me.

When lunch wrapped up, Ethan stood, brushing off his hands. "Thanks for letting me join you guys. This was fun."

"You're welcome anytime," Amber said warmly.

"Yeah, it was nice meeting you," Emma added with a smile.

"Take care," Liam said, giving a small nod.

James, however, said nothing, his expression unreadable as he watched Ethan walk away.

Once Ethan was out of earshot, Amber turned to James with a raised eyebrow. "Seriously? What's your problem?"

"No problem," James said, his tone light but dismissive. "Just not a fan of people who come on too strong."

"Come on," I said, glaring at him. "He was perfectly polite. Why do you always have to make everything a competition?"

James's smirk widened, but his eyes held a challenge. "I'm not competing with anyone, princess. Just calling it like I see it."

Amber groaned, throwing her hands up. "I swear, you two are impossible."

I stood abruptly, grabbing my bag. "I'm going to class. Try not to ruin anyone else's day, James."

As I walked away, I felt his gaze on me, but I refused to turn around. Why does he care so much? I thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

-

After a long day of classes, Ethan texted me asking if I wanted to grab a coffee again and take a walk. I didn't hesitate to say yes. We met at a cozy café near campus we went last time. The kind with dim lighting and soft jazz playing in the background. He greeted me with his signature warm smile, holding the door open as I walked in.

"So," he said after we got our drinks and stepped outside, "how's the week treating you?"

"Great," I replied, smiling up at him. "I think I'm finally getting into the groove of things."

We strolled down a quiet path lined with trees, the golden light of the setting sun casting a warm glow over everything. Talking to Ethan was easy. He had a way of making me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered in that moment. The conversation drifted from school to random childhood memories, and I couldn't help but laugh at his stories about pranks he used to pull on his brothers.

At one point, he stopped walking and turned to face me, his expression soft. "You're really something, you know that?"

I felt my cheeks heat up, but I managed to hold his gaze. "Something good, I hope?"

"The best," he said with a grin, his eyes sparkling in the fading light.

Before I could reply, he leaned in, giving me enough time to pull away if I wanted to. But I didn't. His lips met mine in a gentle, tentative kiss, one that sent a warm flutter through my chest. It wasn't rushed or complicated, just sweet and perfect.

When he pulled back, he smiled, his cheeks slightly flushed. "I've been wanting to do that for a while."

I bit my lip, smiling back. "Me too."

-

Amber and Emma were in full party-planning mode the moment I walked into the cabin after class. The kitchen table was covered in snacks, cups, and decorations, and they were debating what playlist would set the right vibe.

"Hailey, there you are!" Amber called out, waving me over with a grin. "We need your opinion."

"I didn't agree to help plan this," I teased, dropping my bag by the couch. "This was your idea."

Emma smirked, crossing her arms. "Yeah, but you're the hostess too, remember? It's a cabin party, not just our party."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling as I joined them at the table. "Okay, what's the crisis?"

Amber held up two playlists on her phone. "Fun and danceable or chill and vibey?"

"Both," I suggested, grabbing a chip from the bowl in front of me. "Start with the chill one, then switch to the dance one when people loosen up."

Emma clapped her hands together. "I told you she'd say that."

Amber stuck her tongue out at Emma, but she was smiling. "Fine. We'll do it your way, Miss Diplomatic."

As we worked to set up the space, the mood was light and filled with laughter. Amber and Emma kept teasing me about Ethan, throwing in not-so-subtle comments about how I should dress to impress.

"Something cute but casual," Amber said, rummaging through my closet. "Not too try-hard, but enough to make him look twice."

"I'm not dressing for him," I protested, but my cheeks betrayed me by flushing.

"Sure you're not," Emma said, pulling out a soft, fitted sweater and holding it up. "But this would look great with those jeans you just bought."

I sighed, giving in. "Fine." Amber grinned.

By the time the first guests arrived, the cabin looked perfect. The living room was cozy yet spacious, the playlist was off to a chill start, and the kitchen was stocked with drinks and snacks. I changed into the outfit Amber and Emma had picked out a sweater that hugged my figure just enough to be flattering without looking like I was trying.

Ethan arrived early, carrying a six-pack and flashing me that warm smile that made my chest flutter. "Hey," he said, handing me the drinks. "Wow, the place looks great."

"Thanks," I said, taking the beer and setting it on the counter. "Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it," he replied, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before Amber swooped in.

"Ethan! So good to see you," she said, pulling him into the fold. "Come on, we need a bartender."

He laughed, letting her drag him to the kitchen. I stayed close, introducing him to a few of the other guests and feeling a strange sense of pride when everyone seemed to like him instantly.

I didn't notice James arrive until much later. The party was already in full swing—music a little louder now, people mingling and laughing. I was leaning against the counter with Ethan, sipping on a beer and laughing at one of his stories when I caught sight of James walking in.

He wasn't alone.

Another girl I didn't recognize was with him, hanging on his arm and laughing at something he said. She was pretty, her blonde hair perfectly styled, and she looked far too comfortable with him. My stomach twisted, though I tried to ignore it.

"Hey, look who finally decided to show up," Amber called, waving James over.

He smirked, letting the girl wander off to join another group of people. "Had to make an entrance," he said, grabbing a drink from the counter. His eyes flicked to Ethan and then to me. "Looks like you've been keeping busy."

I raised an eyebrow. "It's a party, James. What did you expect?"

He shrugged, leaning casually against the counter. "Nothing. Just saying it's nice to see you... branching out."

I shot him a warning look, but he just smirked and walked off, blending into the crowd. Amber, who had been watching the exchange closely, leaned in with a sigh.

"He's impossible," she muttered.

"Tell me about it," I replied, trying to shake off the lingering tension.

As the party wound down, Ethan nudged me gently. "Want to step outside? It's quieter out there."

"Sure," I said, grateful for the escape.

We slipped onto the porch, the cool night air a welcome relief from the stuffy heat inside. The stars above were bright, scattered across the dark sky like tiny diamonds. I leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath.

"This was fun," Ethan said, stepping closer. "I'm glad you invited me."

"Me too," I admitted, smiling up at him. "It's been nice... spending time with you."

He smiled softly, his hand brushing mine. "I like this. You and me."

Before I could respond, he leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a soft, tentative kiss. It was sweet, warm, and perfect. For a moment, the world around us disappeared, leaving only the two of us.

When we pulled back, I felt my cheeks flush as I smiled at him. "That was... unexpected."

"Good unexpected?" he asked, his tone hopeful.

"Yeah," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Definitely good."

As I looked over his shoulder, movement caught my eye. James was standing inside by the window, his expression unreadable as he watched us. Our eyes met for a brief moment before he turned away, disappearing into the crowd.

My chest tightened, but I pushed the thought aside. This isn't about him, I told myself. This is about Ethan.

The party continued to buzz with energy as more people arrived, the music growing louder and the laughter filling every corner of the cabin. Ethan and I stayed close, occasionally mingling with others but always finding our way back to each other. Amber and Emma flitted around, playing the perfect hosts, while Liam kept an eye on the snacks and drinks.

I was leaning against the kitchen counter with Ethan, sipping my drink, when Amber called out, "Hey, Hailey! Let's take a group photo!" She waved for everyone to gather around in the living room.

Ethan smiled at me. "Guess we'd better get in there."

We joined the group, squeezing into the makeshift photo spot Amber had set up. James appeared a second later, his drink in hand, looking as effortlessly cool as ever. He took a spot near the back, standing just behind Ethan and me.

Amber snapped a few pictures, laughing as everyone made goofy faces and posed dramatically. When the photo session was over, people began dispersing again, and Ethan leaned closer to me.

"This place is great," he said, gesturing around the cabin. "Do you like living here?"

"Yeah, it's nice," I said, smiling. "It's close to campus, and the group dynamic is usually fun."

"Usually?" he asked with a playful grin.

I laughed softly. "Let's just say it has its moments."

James, who had been quietly listening nearby, took a sip of his drink before interjecting. "Oh, it definitely has its moments."

Ethan turned to him with a polite smile. "I can imagine. Living with this crew must be interesting."

James smirked, his eyes flicking briefly to me. "It's especially interesting when you're sharing a room."

I froze, my cheeks heating up. Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sharing a room?"

James leaned casually against the wall, his smirk widening. "Yeah, Hailey and I share a room. Two beds, obviously," he added, his tone dripping with feigned innocence. "It's purely platonic, of course."

Ethan blinked, his smile faltering slightly as he looked at me. "Oh. I didn't realize."

"It's not a big deal," I said quickly, shooting James a glare. "It's just how the room arrangements worked out."

"Sure," James said with a shrug, taking another sip of his drink. "It's not like it's awkward or anything. We get along great. Right, Hailey?"

"James," I said through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice even. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"Not really," he said, clearly enjoying himself. "This is too entertaining."

Ethan chuckled, though it sounded a bit forced. "Well, that's... interesting."

Amber, sensing the tension, swooped in with her usual enthusiasm. "Okay, enough about room arrangements! Ethan, have you tried the cookies? They're so good."

Ethan glanced at me, his polite smile returning. "I'll grab one in a bit."

James smirked again but didn't press further, wandering off to join another group. I let out a quiet sigh of relief, turning back to Ethan.

"Sorry about that," I said softly. "James loves to stir the pot."

"It's fine," Ethan said, though his tone was a little less relaxed. "I guess I wasn't expecting that."

I hesitated, unsure how to explain the dynamic without making things more awkward. "It's nothing, really. We're just... used to each other."

Ethan nodded, but I couldn't tell if he was entirely convinced.

The rest of the party carried on, but I couldn't shake the tension from earlier. Ethan stayed close, but there was a slight shift in his demeanor, a subtle hesitation that hadn't been there before. I caught James watching us a few more times, his expression unreadable, and it only added to the unease.

As the night wound down, Ethan offered to help clean up, but Amber insisted he relax. "You're our guest," she said, shooing him away with a grin.

"Thanks for inviting me," Ethan said to me as he grabbed his jacket. "I had a great time."

"Me too," I said, smiling. "I'll see you at school?"

"Definitely," he said, his smile warming slightly. "Goodnight, Hailey."

"Goodnight," I said softly as he leaned in giving me a small soft kiss, before walking out the door.

As I started tidying up, James appeared in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. His smirk was gone, replaced by a more neutral expression.

"Cute guy," he said, his tone casual.

I sighed, setting down the empty cups I'd been collecting. "What do you want, James?"

"Nothing," he said, shrugging. "Just making an observation."

"Well, maybe you could keep your observations to yourself for once," I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my irritation. "What? Can't I have a little fun?"

"Fun?" I said, turning to face him fully. "Do you even realize how uncomfortable you made things earlier?"

His smirk faded slightly, and for a moment, something softer flickered in his expression. "It wasn't my intention."

"Really?" I challenged, crossing my arms. "Because it sure felt like you were trying to make a point."

He didn't respond immediately, his gaze dropping to the floor before meeting mine again. "Maybe I was."

My breath hitched slightly, but I quickly recovered. "Well, don't. Ethan's a good guy, and I'm not going to let you ruin this for me."

James's jaw tightened, but he nodded, stepping back. "Got it."

Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the kitchen with my thoughts and the lingering tension hanging in the air.

After the party had died down and everyone else had gone to bed, I sat in the living room with Amber and Emma, sipping on tea and enjoying the rare quiet. The soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the old cabin were the only sounds, and for the first time all night, I could hear myself think.

"Well," Amber said, leaning back on the couch and stretching her legs out, "that was a success. Everyone had a great time."

"Mostly," I said, my voice tinged with frustration.

Emma, sitting cross-legged on the floor, looked up from her phone. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to get into it, but Amber, ever observant, wasn't going to let it slide. "Oh no, you're not brushing that off. Spill. What's bothering you?"

I sighed, setting my mug down on the coffee table. "James."

Amber groaned, rolling her eyes. "What did he do this time?"

"He couldn't help but make things awkward with Ethan," I said, my voice rising slightly. "He just had to mention the whole room-sharing situation, like it was some kind of joke."

Emma frowned, tilting her head. "Wait, he brought that up? To Ethan?"

"Yeah," I said, crossing my arms. "It was so unnecessary. Ethan didn't know about it, and now it's this weird thing."

Emma leaned forward, her brow furrowing. "Why would he even bring that up? What's his deal?"

"I don't know," I admitted, throwing my hands up. "But it's like he can't help himself. He always has to make these little comments, like he's trying to prove something."

Emma exchanged a look with Amber, and I immediately felt like they knew something I didn't. "What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "What's that look for?"

Amber shrugged, but there was a glint of knowing in her eyes. "I mean... maybe he's jealous."

I blinked at her, the word catching me off guard. "Jealous? Of what?"

"Of Ethan," Emma said simply. "It's not exactly a stretch."

I laughed, though it came out a little forced. "That's ridiculous. James doesn't care about me like that."

"Doesn't he?" Amber asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because I've seen the way he looks at you sometimes. And let's not forget the fact that he's been extra weird since Ethan came into the picture."

I shook my head, refusing to let the idea take root. "James is just... James. He likes to push buttons and stir the pot. It doesn't mean anything."

"Sure," Emma said, her tone skeptical. "But maybe you should think about why it bothers you so much."

"I don't—" I started, but the words died in my throat. Did it bother me? And if it did, was it because of James, or because of how it affected Ethan?

Amber reached over and patted my hand. "Look, we're not saying you have to figure it all out right now. Just... don't ignore it, okay?"

I nodded reluctantly, though my mind was already spinning with questions I didn't have answers to.

-

The next morning, the tension from the party still lingered in my chest as I made my way to class. I texted Ethan on the way, letting him know I'd see him at lunch. His response was quick and cheerful, as usual, and it helped ease some of my nerves.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was feeling more like myself. I grabbed my tray and headed to our usual table, where Ethan was already sitting with Amber and Emma. Liam was running late, but James was conspicuously absent.

"Hey," Ethan said, smiling as I sat down beside him. "How's your day going?"

"Better now," I said honestly, earning a warm smile from him.

Amber and Emma exchanged a quick glance, and I could tell they were holding back from saying something. Thankfully, they seemed to sense that this wasn't the time for teasing.

As we ate, Ethan brought up a project he was working on for one of his psych classes, and the conversation flowed easily. He had a way of making even the most mundane topics sound interesting, and I found myself laughing more than I expected.

Halfway through lunch, Liam finally arrived, sliding into the seat next to Amber. "Sorry I'm late. Got held up in class."

"No worries," Ethan said, offering him a friendly nod. "We were just talking about this project I'm working on. It's for Professor Gray's class."

"Oh, I've heard about Gray," Liam said, raising an eyebrow. "Tough but fair, right?"

"Exactly," Ethan said, grinning. "She's intimidating, but I like her."

As the conversation shifted to school and professors, I glanced toward the cafeteria entrance just in time to see James walk in. He was alone, his hands shoved in his pockets as he scanned the room. When his eyes landed on our table, he hesitated for a moment before making his way over.

"Here we go," Amber muttered under her breath, earning a nudge from Emma.

James dropped his tray onto the table and slid into the seat across from me, his smirk firmly in place. "Morning," he said, his tone casual.

"Afternoon," Amber corrected, narrowing her eyes at him.

James ignored her, turning his attention to Ethan. "So, coffee guy," he said, leaning back in his chair. "How's life treating you?"

"Pretty good," Ethan replied, his tone polite but cautious. "How about you?"

James shrugged, his smirk widening. "Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Just trying to survive living with your study buddy here."

My jaw tightened, but I forced myself to stay calm. "James."

"What?" he said innocently, his gaze flicking to me. "Just making conversation."

Ethan chuckled, though it sounded slightly strained. "Must be interesting, sharing a room."

James's smirk turned sharper. "Oh, it's very interesting. Lots of late-night talks and bonding time. Isn't that right, Hailey?"

I glared at him, my cheeks heating up. "You're unbelievable."

James raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk never faltering. "Just keeping things honest."

Amber cleared her throat loudly, cutting through the tension. "Anyway, Ethan, you were saying something about Professor Gray?"

Ethan hesitated for a moment before turning back to Amber, resuming the conversation. I tried to focus, but I could feel James's gaze lingering on me, his smirk softening into something almost unreadable.

Ethan and I walked together across the quad after lunch, the crisp autumn breeze rustling through the trees. Students milled around us, chatting and laughing as they headed to their next classes, but I barely noticed. Ethan's easy conversation made it feel like we were in our own little bubble.

"So, tonight?" Ethan asked, glancing at me with a smile. "You free? We could grab dinner or maybe catch a movie."

"Tonight?" I repeated, caught off guard. "I don't know... I think the group had plans back at the cabin."

"Oh." His smile faltered for just a second, but he quickly recovered. "Well, maybe you could skip out early? Just for a little while."

I hesitated, sensing a hint of something in his tone that I couldn't quite place. "I'll have to see how things go. Amber's kind of relentless when it comes to group plans."

Ethan chuckled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course. Don't let me get in the way."

The words seemed lighthearted, but there was an edge to them that made my stomach tighten. I brushed it off, trying to convince myself I was overthinking.

As we approached the building where his next class was, he stopped, turning to face me. "I'll text you later?"

"Yeah, sounds good," I said, offering a small smile.

His hand brushed against mine, and for a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. Instead, he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "See you."

"See you," I replied, watching as he disappeared into the crowd. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something about his demeanor had shifted.

-

When I got back to the cabin that evening, the atmosphere was already charged. James was in the living room, sprawled across the couch with his phone in hand, a beer on the coffee table. Amber and Emma were in the kitchen, and Liam was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey," I said as I walked in, dropping my bag by the door.

James looked up, his smirk appearing like clockwork. "Princess is back. How was lunch with Mr. Perfect?"

I sighed, already bracing myself. "Why do you care?"

He shrugged, setting his phone down. "Just curious. Seemed like you two were getting pretty cozy."

"Maybe because he's actually nice to me," I shot back, heading toward the kitchen.

"Nice," James repeated, standing up and following me. "Right. Because that's the only requirement."

I stopped, turning to face him. "What's your problem, James? Seriously. Why do you always have to make everything a competition?" I asked him again.

"I'm not competing," he said, his tone sharper now. "I'm just pointing out the obvious."

"And what's that?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"That maybe your 'perfect' guy isn't as perfect as you think," he said, his smirk fading into something harder.

I stared at him, my frustration bubbling over. "Why can't you just let me be happy? Why do you have to ruin everything?"

"I'm not trying to ruin anything," he said, his voice rising slightly. "But maybe I care about what happens to you. Ever think about that?"

His words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I couldn't respond. The air between us felt heavy, charged with unspoken tension.

"Then stop acting like a jealous asshole and prove it," I said finally, my voice trembling.

James opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, his jaw tightening. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there, my heart racing.

I sank into a chair at the kitchen table, my head in my hands. A moment later, Amber and Emma joined me, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

"What happened?" Amber asked gently.

"James," I said, letting out a shaky sigh. "He's... impossible."

Emma frowned. "What did he do now?"

I recounted the argument, my frustration spilling out in waves. By the time I finished, Amber was shaking her head, and Emma looked thoughtful.

"He's jealous," Amber said simply.

I groaned. "Not this again."

"Hailey," Emma said, her tone calm but firm. "You need to think about why this bothers him so much. If it were anyone else, do you think he'd care?"

I hesitated, her words hitting closer to home than I wanted to admit.

Amber leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "He likes you, Hails. He's just too stubborn or scared to admit it."

"That doesn't give him the right to act like this," I said, my voice cracking slightly.

"No, it doesn't," Emma agreed. "But it does mean there's more going on here than either of you are willing to say."

I looked between them, my emotions a tangled mess. "I don't even know what I feel anymore."

Amber reached over and squeezed my hand. "Then maybe it's time to figure it out."
-

The cabin was quiet as I made my way to the shared room. The light spilling under the door told me James was still awake. I sighed, steeling myself for whatever mood he might be in after the day we'd had. Pushing the door open, I found him sitting at his desk, headphones on and a thick neurology textbook open in front of him. His brow was furrowed in concentration, and he was scribbling notes in the margins with his pen.

He didn't acknowledge me at first, too absorbed in his work. I paused for a moment, watching him. It wasn't often I got to see this side of James—the one who wasn't cracking jokes or stirring up trouble. The focus and determination etched across his face reminded me why he was going to make a great doctor one day. It was almost... admirable.

"Take a picture, princess. It'll last longer," he said suddenly, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes, feeling my face heat up as I walked to my dresser. "Don't flatter yourself."

He smirked, leaning back in his chair and swiveling to face me. "What can I say? I've got great peripheral vision."

"Or maybe you just enjoy being annoying," I shot back, rummaging for something to sleep in.

"Maybe," he admitted, his smirk widening as he watched me.

I let out a frustrated sigh, grabbing a T-shirt and heading to the bathroom to change. When I returned, James had his headphones off, his pen tapping rhythmically against the desk. He glanced at me briefly before turning back to his book.

"You're mad," he said without looking up.

"No kidding," I replied, dropping my phone onto my nightstand.

"You're overreacting," he said, his tone calm but still irritatingly smug.

I turned to face him, crossing my arms. "Overreacting? You embarrassed me in front of Ethan, made me feel like an idiot, and then acted like it was no big deal. How is that overreacting?"

James leaned back in his chair, setting his pen down and meeting my gaze with a serious expression. "I wasn't trying to embarrass you."

"Then what were you trying to do?" I demanded, my voice rising. "Because from where I'm standing, it sure seems like you just enjoy messing with me."

"I was trying to protect you," he said simply, his voice quieter now.

His words stopped me in my tracks, my frustration momentarily giving way to confusion. "Protect me? From what?"

"From making a mistake," he said, standing up and stepping closer. "You barely know this guy, Hailey. What if he's not who he says he is?"

I shook my head, exasperated. "You don't get to decide who's good enough for me, James. That's not your call."

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might back down. But instead, he stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You're right. It's not my call. But I care about you, okay? More than I probably should."

The weight of his words hung in the air between us, thick and electric. My heart raced as I stared at him, trying to process what he'd just said. The vulnerability in his eyes was something I wasn't used to seeing, and it threw me off balance.

"Then why don't you just say what you mean?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Because if I do," he said, his gaze never leaving mine, "everything changes. And I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

The silence that followed felt deafening. I opened my mouth to respond but found I didn't know what to say. James took a step back, running a hand through his hair and letting out a quiet sigh.

"Goodnight, Hailey," he said, retreating to his bed without another word.

I stood there for a moment, my emotions a whirlwind of frustration, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite name. Finally, I climbed into my own bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin and staring at the ceiling.

His words echoed in my mind, refusing to be ignored.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the room settled into an uneasy quiet. The soft rustling of James shifting in his bed was the only sound, and it did nothing to soothe the storm raging in my mind.

"I care about you more than I should."

Why did those words feel so heavy? So significant? I replayed the moment in my head, his voice, his expression—everything about him was so frustratingly hard to read. But in that moment, it felt... real. Vulnerable. Honest. And that scared me more than anything else.

James was always the one who teased, who kept things light, who never let anything serious stick to him for too long. But tonight, he let something slip—something raw and unguarded. And now I didn't know what to do with it.

Does he really care? Or was he just trying to make me second-guess Ethan?

Ethan. The thought of him brought another layer of confusion. He was kind, charming, and easy to be around. With Ethan, there was no guessing game, no hidden layers to navigate. He was exactly what he seemed to be. So why did James's words linger in my chest, making it hard to breathe?

Because it's James. And he's always gotten under your skin in ways no one else can.

I groaned softly, turning onto my side and pulling the blanket tighter around me. This was ridiculous. I couldn't afford to let James's mixed signals mess with my head. Not when I finally had something, someone, who felt straightforward and good.

But deep down, a part of me couldn't ignore the way James looked at me tonight. Like he was fighting a battle he didn't know how to win. Like he wanted to say so much more but couldn't bring himself to cross that line.

What do I even want him to say? The thought made my chest tighten. If James truly cared about me, it would change everything. Our dynamic, our friendship, and the delicate balance of the group, it would all shift in ways I wasn't sure I was ready for.

I glanced over at him, his silhouette barely visible in the dim light filtering through the curtains. He was still, his breathing steady, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't asleep. That maybe, just like me, he was lying there, replaying every word we exchanged tonight.

Do I care about him more than I should? The question hit me like a punch, and I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the thoughts to stop. This wasn't the time to figure it out. Not with Ethan in the picture. Not with so much else to focus on.

I turned onto my other side, facing away from him, and let out a shaky breath. Maybe tomorrow would bring some clarity. Or maybe it would just make things more complicated. Either way, I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep pretending this didn't matter.

Because deep down, I knew it did.

More than I wanted to admit.