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EPISODE 10 — Echoes of Exposure
(Layla's POV)
The courtyard was alive with murmurs, laughter, and the subtle clicking of phone cameras. Students clustered in groups, heads bent over screens, whispering and pointing. The video—the kiss—had spread faster than wildfire. And I was at the center of it.
I walked alongside Chloe and Mia, keeping my gaze deliberately casual, though my stomach twisted with tension. Chloe leaned in, whispering, "I've literally seen this clip on three different pages already. The comments… oh my God, Layla."
I forced a small smile. "I know. And yet, here we are."
Mia, holding her sketchbook like armor, said quietly, "You're not running. I respect that. But just… be careful. Some people don't have any boundaries."
I nodded. "I know. That's why I'm sticking to the plan."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Plan? What plan? Pretend this didn't happen?"
"Something like that," I said lightly.
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We approached the fountain. Ethan was there, as if waiting for me, leaning against the marble ledge. His hoodie was up despite the warm afternoon sun, hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze sweeping the courtyard with sharp calculation. When he spotted me, his eyes softened slightly, and a small, almost imperceptible smirk played on his lips.
Chloe muttered, "Of course he's here. Of course."
Mia whispered, "You're impossible."
I ignored them and let Ethan guide me down a winding path toward the library steps, seeking some semblance of privacy amidst the chaos.
"Layla," he said softly, voice low, almost a whisper against the hum of the courtyard. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, swallowing the tightness in my throat. "I'm… managing."
He studied me, his eyes lingering with something deeper than concern—calculation, protectiveness, and maybe a hint of admiration. "Good. You need that. You'll handle the rest better if you know someone has your back."
I tried to return his gaze, wanting to convey the gratitude I felt. "Thanks… Ethan. For being here."
He gave a faint, knowing smile, but his expression remained guarded. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."
---
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Glancing down, I saw the name flashing: Mom.
"Excuse me," I murmured, stepping aside.
"Layla!" My mom's voice came through loud and clear, a mix of authority and concern. "I just saw… everything online. Are you okay? What happened?"
I bit my lip, weighing how much to reveal. "Mom… it's fine. Ethan and I… we're fine. Yes, the kiss is out there. But we're managing."
A pause. "Managing?" Her voice softened, laced with worry. "Layla, listen. You know I trust you. But… be careful. People can twist things, and his family… you know how complicated that could be. Chloe, Mia—keep them close. Don't face this alone."
"I know," I said, grateful for her calm. "I'm fine. Really. I promise."
"Okay. Call me later. And remember—don't let anyone pressure you into explaining anything you don't want to."
"I will. Love you, Mom."
"Love you too. Breathe, honey."
I hung up, letting the warmth of her concern settle in. It reminded me that despite the chaos, I wasn't entirely alone.
---
Ethan's gaze met mine again. "Family check-in?" he asked softly, a small trace of amusement in his tone.
I smiled faintly. "Mom. Supportive. Terrifying in equal measure."
He chuckled. "Good. You need that. You'll handle the rest better if you have someone watching your back."
Chloe leaned closer, whispering, "So… how's he handling it?"
I shook my head, letting a smile tug at my lips. "Like only he can. Calculated, protective, completely infuriating."
Mia smirked. "Sounds like someone's smitten."
I rolled my eyes but felt a faint warmth spreading in my chest. "Maybe. But more than that… he's someone I can trust to face this storm with."
---
By late afternoon, the courtyard had grown even busier. Phones out everywhere, students whispering, tagging, posting. Someone waved a camera in our direction, and Chloe muttered, "We need a plan before this becomes a circus."
Ethan's hand brushed against mine—a subtle, protective touch. "We keep moving. Stay close. Let's find somewhere quieter."
We wound through paths shaded by trees, finally reaching a small alcove near the library. The golden light of late afternoon softened the edges of the chaos, framing us in a fragile bubble of calm.
"This… this could get messy," I murmured, sitting beside him.
He leaned back, shoulders relaxed but tense beneath the surface. "Messy isn't new to me. But I've got your back. That's what matters."
I studied him. Ethan Marshall—calm, untouchable—was real in this moment. Vulnerable in ways he rarely showed anyone. And I realized I could trust him.
"Then we manage together," I said firmly.
"Together," he agreed.
---
The sun dipped lower, painting the campus in gold and amber. Chloe and Mia joined us by the fountain again, more relaxed now that the initial frenzy had ebbed. Chloe nudged me playfully. "So… Ethan. Thoughts?"
I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. "He's handling this perfectly. Protective, calculated… infuriating."
Mia smirked. "Sounds like someone's a little… soft for him."
I shook my head, though warmth spread through me. "Maybe. But right now… he's someone I can trust. And that matters more than anything else."
The three of us sat there, the air around us charged with quiet anticipation. Phones buzzed, whispers continued, but in our little circle, it felt like time slowed.
Some storms weren't meant to break you. They were meant to test what mattered most.
And what mattered most right now… was each other.
---
Night fell over Avalon University, wrapping the campus in a gentle darkness. Chloe, Mia, and I headed back to our dorms, lingering only long enough to watch the fountain lights shimmer across the marble. Ethan's eyes found mine one last time before he walked away. The subtle promise in his gaze left my chest warm, steadying the lingering panic of the viral post.
Because despite the whispers, the stares, the headlines, and his father's looming shadow, we had each other.
And some risks weren't just worth taking—they were unavoidable.
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