Felicity's POV.
The ride home was wrapped in silence. Not the comfortable kind, but the prickly, nerve-splitting kind where every breath felt too loud.
It was awkward. Very awkward. Alexander and Christopher were bickering too loudly in the open-air cinema, and me? I was mortified.
Alex's hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles pale against the leather. His jaw was tight, his eyes fixed straight ahead. Streetlights slid over his face like flashes of a storm, shadow then glow.
I wanted to say something. Anything. But the words caught in my throat. Because—he had kissed me.
And worse? I hadn't exactly stopped him.
Which basically means I kissed him back.
Ugh. Why does everything have to be so complicated? All I wanted was to be a good girl—read my books, ace my exams, avoid trouble. Stay far, far away from boy drama.
But now? Two boys are fighting over me. Two. Boys. Like—what the heck, universe?
"Felicity." His voice cracked the silence when we stopped outside my dorm.
I turned slowly. "Yes?"
His eyes searched mine, soft but desperate. "Did it mean something?"
The question hung in the air, fragile as glass.
I swallowed hard. "Alex…" My voice was smaller than I wanted. "It's complicated."
He let out a breathy laugh, bitter at the edges. "Complicated because of him."
I didn't answer. I didn't need to. His gaze dipped to my lips for the briefest second before he forced himself to look away. "Goodnight, Felicity."
"Goodnight," I whispered, and climbed out of the car.
But even as I shut the door and watched his taillights fade into the night, my heart was still racing from the kiss and from the way Christopher had burned through it like a wildfire.
>>>>>
Penelope's POV.
The Next Morning – Dorm Room.
I barged into Felicity's room without knocking, a grin plastered on my face and a latte in hand.
"Well, well, well," I sang, plopping down on her bed.
"Oxford's most wanted love triangle strikes again. Spill."
She groaned and buried her face in a pillow. "Go away."
"Not a chance." I yanked the pillow right out of her grip. "Word on the street is Alex kissed you. In a movie theater. Right before Christopher stormed in like some jealous husband with a popcorn bucket."
Her head shot up, cheeks flaming. "Who told you that?"
"Lisa. My friend. My spy." I smirked. "She said the way Christopher glared at Alex, she thought the movie screen was about to catch fire."
Felicity groaned louder. "Wow. So you spy on me now, huh? Ever heard of privacy?"
I rolled my eyes. "Spill, woman."
"It was a disaster. An actual disaster. Do you know what it feels like to be wedged between two furious boys trying to kill each other with glares?"
I clapped my hands, delighted. "Romantic."
"Chaotic," she corrected.
"So." I tilted my head thoughtfully. "How was the kiss?"
"Penelope!"
"Oh, come on, Fel. Scale of one to ten. Was it toe-curling? Or just… meh?"
She threw a pillow at me. I caught it, laughing. "Fine, don't tell me. But I can see it all over your face. You liked it."
Her lips pressed together, and the blush on her cheeks gave her away.
"So what's the plan?" I leaned closer, conspiratorial. "You can't let them duel to the death forever."
"I know," she sighed, shoulders sinking. "That's why I need to talk to Chris today. Alone."
>>>>>
Felicity's POV.
Later That Day – Courtyard.
Christopher was leaning against a stone column when I found him, hands in his pockets, sunlight catching the edges of his dark hair. He looked annoyingly perfect, as if last night's chaos hadn't touched him at all.
"Felicity," he said smoothly, pushing off the column. "You came looking for me?"
I crossed my arms. "Yes. Because we need to talk."
"About your little date with Alex?" His jaw ticked, eyes sharp. "About the kiss? How could you do this to me? I thought we had something."
I inhaled sharply. "Chris, please. Just listen."
He said nothing, but his gaze pinned me like he already knew what I was about to say.
"I need you to let Alex finish his two weeks," I said carefully. "Then you'll have your turn. But please, for my sake—don't interfere until then. Please."
His brows furrowed, his lips parting slightly. For once, he didn't have a smug comeback ready.
"You're asking me to sit back and watch him…" His voice was low, dangerous. "…while I burn?"
I swallowed. "I'm asking you to trust me."
Silence stretched between us, heavy and raw. Finally, Christopher exhaled, a humorless laugh escaping him.
"You drive me insane," he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. Then his eyes locked on mine, fierce and unrelenting. "Fine. Two weeks. But after that—he's done. No more interruptions. No more distractions. You'll be mine, Felicity."
My heart stuttered. Because his voice wasn't joking, wasn't teasing. It was a vow. And standing there, I wasn't sure if I should be terrified… or thrilled.