🌙 EPISODE 5 — The Collision
Saturday evening.
Warm lights. Soft music. A crowded café near campus.
A place people went to relax.
Or pretend to.
🌙 Table Near the Window — Elisa & Leo
Leo was speaking about something interesting.
Something thoughtful.
Something she normally would have listened to carefully.
But Elisa wasn't listening.
Her eyes kept drifting toward the entrance.
She didn't know why.
Just… a feeling.
Restless.
Unsettled.
Leo noticed.
Of course he did.
"You seem distracted again," he said gently.
She forced a small smile.
"I'm listening."
He nodded… but didn't look convinced.
Then the café door opened.
And Elisa froze.
Justin walked in.
With Maya.
For one full second…
Everything inside her went completely still.
Justin saw her immediately too.
Across the room.
By the window.
Sitting with another man.
Leaning slightly forward.
Listening.
Present.
His steps slowed.
Then stopped completely.
Maya followed his gaze.
She saw Elisa.
Then Leo.
Then the silence between Justin's breaths.
"Oh…" Maya murmured softly.
"So that's her."
Justin didn't respond.
Didn't move.
Didn't look away.
Across the café…
Elisa realized she had stopped breathing.
Leo followed her gaze.
Noticed Justin.
Noticed the tension.
Noticed everything instantly.
"…Someone you know?" Leo asked quietly.
Elisa answered without thinking.
"Yes."
Too quickly.
Too tightly.
Jason arrived at that exact moment.
Like perfect timing was his natural talent.
He walked straight toward Elisa's table.
Not surprised.
Not confused.
Just… pleased.
"Well," he said lightly, glancing between everyone,
"This is unexpected."
Now all four of them were in the same space.
Same air.
Same tension.
No escape.
Maya smiled politely.
"Well… since we're all here… should we sit together?"
No one answered.
But no one refused.
Five minutes later…
Two tables pushed together.
Leo beside Elisa.
Maya beside Justin.
Jason across from Elisa.
Justin directly across from Leo.
The air felt thick enough to touch.
Small talk began.
Polite.
Controlled.
Careful.
Maya tried to lighten the mood.
"So… how does everyone know each other?"
Jason answered smoothly.
"Classmates. Rivals. Complications."
Justin didn't react.
But his gaze never left Leo.
Measuring him.
Evaluating him.
Disliking him.
Leo noticed.
He remained calm.
But more aware now.
Elisa tried to focus on her drink.
But she could feel Justin's presence like heat across the table.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Then it happened.
Small moment.
Simple moment.
Explosive reaction.
Leo reached across the table—
And gently brushed something off Elisa's sleeve.
Just lint.
Nothing more.
A polite gesture.
Natural.
Harmless.
Justin's chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Everyone startled.
His voice came out sharp.
Too sharp.
"Don't."
Silence slammed into the table.
Leo blinked slowly.
"…Excuse me?"
Justin leaned forward slightly.
Eyes dark.
Jaw tight.
"Don't touch her."
Elisa's heart pounded violently.
Heat rushed to her face.
"What is wrong with you?!"
Justin didn't look at her.
Still staring at Leo.
Like a warning.
Like a challenge.
Like a threat he wasn't hiding anymore.
Leo's expression remained calm.
But firmer now.
"I think she can decide that herself."
Justin's control cracked.
Just a little.
Enough for everyone to see.
His voice lowered.
Rough.
Barely restrained.
"He doesn't get close to you."
Elisa stood up instantly.
Furious.
Embarrassed.
Shaken.
"You don't get to decide that!"
Finally…
Justin looked at her.
Fully.
Completely.
And all the anger in his expression shifted into something rawer.
More exposed.
More dangerous.
"…Then why does it bother me so much?"
The words slipped out.
Quiet.
Unplanned.
Honest.
Silence.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Elisa's chest tightened painfully.
Because she knew the answer.
She just didn't want to hear it.
Jason watched the entire scene with deep satisfaction.
Maya watched Justin with quiet understanding.
Leo watched Elisa carefully… thoughtfully.
Justin realized what he had said.
His expression hardened instantly.
Walls going back up.
Control returning.
"…Forget it," he muttered.
And stepped back.
But the damage was done.
Everyone had seen it.
Everyone had heard it.
His overprotectiveness.
His jealousy.
His inability to stay calm when someone touched her.
Nothing was hidden anymore.
Elisa slowly sat down again.
But her hands trembled slightly.
Her heart wouldn't slow.
Her thoughts were chaos.
Because Justin had never admitted anything before.
Not even accidentally.
Jason leaned back in his chair.
Soft smile.
Eyes shining with quiet excitement.
Perfect.
Exactly what he wanted.
Emotions exposed.
Control breaking.
Feelings undeniable.
The game was becoming more interesting.
And now…
No one at that table could pretend this was simple rivalry anymore.
✨ END OF EPISODE 5 — FEELINGS EXPOSED ✨