Chapter 1 : Mine
Eli has always been protective. That's what I told myself, anyway. Protective, not controlling. Loyal, not obsessive.
But lately, those lines are starting to blur.
He walks me to class even when he doesn't have one nearby. He picks me up from work without asking if I need a ride. He memorized my schedule before I even had it printed out.
At first, I thought it was sweet. Who wouldn't want a best friend who cared that much?
Now, I'm not so sure.
"Who was that?" he asks, his voice quiet but sharp, like a knife hidden under silk.
I glance up from my phone, confused. "What?"
He nods at my screen. "The guy you were texting."
"Just someone from my group project."
His expression doesn't change, but his hand tightens on the steering wheel. The leather creaks under his grip.
"You don't need him," he says finally.
I let out a small laugh, trying to brush it off. "Eli, it's just school—"
He cuts me off. "You don't *need* him."
The way he says it makes my stomach twist. There's no anger in his voice—just certainty, like he's stating a fact. Like he's already decided what's best for me.
He leans closer, his eyes locked on mine. "People use you. You're too nice, and they take advantage of that. But I see them. I know what they want."
"Eli…"
He reaches over and takes my phone, pressing the lock button before setting it face down between us. His hand lingers there, resting on the console—close enough to make it clear that my phone, like everything else lately, is now under his control.
"I'm not trying to scare you," he says, softer now, almost gentle. "I just don't like it when people get between us. You're my best friend."
My throat feels tight. "I know."
His gaze darkens. "No, you don't."
The car is silent except for the sound of rain tapping against the windshield. I can feel his eyes on me, heavy and possessive, like invisible hands keeping me still.
"You belong with me," he murmurs, voice low. "You *always* have."
And the worst part?
Somewhere deep down—
part of me believes him.
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