When Adrian and Aiden came back, they sat on the couch again. The room was loud — Cassian yelling at the game, Selene cheering, Orion complaining, everyone caught up in the chaos.
Amara tried to focus on the screen.
But her eyes kept drifting.
Lyra stood up and walked toward Adrian.
Her steps were slow. Too slow. Too intentional.
She reached the edge of the carpet… and then she "tripped."
Her foot didn't catch anything. Her balance didn't shift naturally. But she fell anyway — straight onto Adrian.
Everyone gasped.
"Lyra! Are you okay?" Selene asked, rushing over.
Cassian leaned forward. "Did you twist your ankle?"
Orion frowned. "Careful, you're still young."
Because she was the youngest, no one laughed. They just worried.
Amara's jealousy spiked painfully, but she still stood up and asked softly, "Lyra… are you okay?"
Lyra nodded quickly, cheeks pink. "I'm fine. I just slipped."
Adrian helped her sit upright, but his expression wasn't amused. He looked uncomfortable. Annoyed. Confused.
Once everyone was sure she wasn't hurt, they went back to their game.
Amara sat down again, but her heart was pounding.
She hated how jealous she felt. She hated how close Lyra had been. She hated how her stomach twisted seeing it.
She excused herself quietly. "I'll be back… restroom."
No one questioned it.
She walked out, trying to breathe normally.
Behind her, Adrian watched her leave.
Aiden nudged him. "Bro, what's up with you?"
But Adrian didn't answer.
And when Amara turned the corner, Adrian wasn't in the room anymore either.
Restroom
Amara washed her hands, trying to calm herself. Trying to forget the fall. Trying to forget the jealousy.
She dried her hands and stepped out into the hallway.
The moment she closed the door—
A hand grabbed her wrist.
She gasped as she was pulled backward, her back pressed against the wall.
Her breath caught.
Her eyes widened.