Chapter 253: Rather Be Alone Than Choose
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The courtyard outside the gym felt like a whole different place compared to the sparkling chaos inside. Snow drifted down in big, fluffy flakes that caught the glow of the twinkling lights wrapped around the bare branches above, making everything look soft and blurry. The music from the dance seeped out in muffled waves-some slow, syrupy ballad about forever that felt cruelly ironic in that moment.
Ethan stood a few steps away from us, his hands shoved deep in his coat pockets, shoulders tense under the navy fabric. His breath formed visible clouds that floated up and vanished into the night. Adrien and I froze as soon as we noticed he was there, the kiss still lingering on my lips like a secret suddenly exposed.
At first, no one said anything. Just the gentle sound of snow landing on our shoulders, the distant thumping bass, and the way our breaths felt too loud in the quiet. I watched Ethan’s face-his eyes glued to the ground where the snow was already starting to accumulate-and a cold heaviness settled in my chest.
"Ethan," I said softly, barely above a whisper.
He didn’t look up right away. When he finally did, his eyes flicked past me to Adrien, who had instinctively stepped forward a half-step, shoulders squared protectively. It was such a small gesture, but Ethan noticed. Something in his expression shifted.
He let out a short, disbelieving laugh that sounded more like a cough.
"...So that’s it."
"Ethan, please-" I began, but he interrupted me without raising his voice.
"That’s the secret? Him?"
Adrien stiffened beside me but remained silent, jaw clenched, eyes locked on Ethan as if waiting for the storm to hit.
Ethan’s voice rose slowly, each word gaining weight.