ETHAN'S POV
Tori yanked her hand away like my touch burned her. The moment of connection we'd just shared vanished, replaced by that familiar wall she always put up.
"I just remembered," she said abruptly, not meeting my eyes. "We need to finalize our econ project. That's actually why I came looking for you."
"Right," I said, not bothering to hide my disbelief. "The project."
She was already walking away, shoulders stiff. I followed, watching her ponytail swing with each determined step.
She was lying, and we both knew it. She hadn't tracked me down to talk about economics.
"Convenient timing," I said, catching up to her. "Remembering the project right when I asked about last night."
"Can we just focus?" She quickened her pace. "I want to get this done."
I couldn't help the smirk that formed. "Whatever you say."
We headed to the library in silence. Our usual study room was empty, and we settled into what had become our regular spots—her by the window, me across from her. Within minutes, we were buried in spreadsheets and presentation slides.
"I think we should add more about the volleyball budget cuts here," I suggested, pointing to a slide.
Tori nodded, not looking up. "Good idea."
We worked surprisingly well together, despite the tension. After about an hour, our project actually looked complete—better than complete, actually. It was good.
Maybe even great.
"I think we're done," I said, stretching my arms above my head.
"Almost." Tori saved the file to her laptop. "I'll do some final touches tonight and submit it tomorrow morning."
"Sounds good."
She started packing up her things, clearly eager to escape. I watched her hands fumble with her notebooks, her movements rushed.
"So about last night," I started.
"Don't," she warned, still not looking at me.
"We should probably talk about it, considering—"
"There's nothing to talk about." She zipped her backpack with more force than necessary.
I reached across the table and caught her wrist before she could stand. "Tori."
She froze, her whole body stiffening at my touch. Something flickered across her face—something that didn't look like anger.
"Can't you just shut up!" she barked suddenly, yanking her arm away. "Last night never happened, Ethan. You know it didn’t mean anything."
Her words stung more than they should have. I leaned back in my chair, studying her flushed face. She was upset, but not in the way she wanted me to believe.
"Even after you literally begged me to take you?" I said, the words coming out before I could stop them. "To fu—"
"Shut up, Ethan!" she thundered, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. "Just stop talking!"
I wanted to stop, I wanted to let her go. But something about the accusation in her eyes pushed me too far.
"You think I took advantage of you?" I asked, standing up to face her. "Is that what you think happened?"
She didn't answer, but her expression said enough.
"I would never do that," I said, my voice dropping low. "Never."
"Then what happened?" she demanded, crossing her arms. "Because I woke up in your bed, Ethan. With my clothes off."
I moved closer to her, close enough to see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes.
"You kissed me, Tori. You slept off on me, leaving me to drive all over town just so you can wake up eventually and give me your address so I can take you home. Is this what I get for not abandoning you to sleep on the street?"
Her eyes widened slightly, doubt replacing some of the anger. She stared at me for a long moment, something shifting in her expression.
For a second, I thought she might say something, might admit there was something between us worth exploring.
Instead, she grabbed her backpack and walked out without another word.