Westwood High Cafeteria – Lunchtime

The cafeteria was a noisy hive of activity, students chatting, laughing, and jockeying for seats. Leo navigated the chaos with his tray, following Alicia and Marcus toward their usual table. He was still settling into the rhythms of the school, but having two friends helped ease the transition.

“You’re going to love the sandwiches here,” Marcus said, gesturing to Leo’s tray. “The bread’s dry, the meat’s questionable, and the mystery sauce is… well, a mystery. Bon appétit.”

Alicia rolled her eyes. “Don’t listen to him. They’re not that bad.”

Leo chuckled, but his smile faltered when his eyes landed on Ethan across the room. Sitting at the popular table, surrounded by teammates and cheerleaders, Ethan looked like he belonged on the cover of a high school yearbook—perfect posture, perfect smile, perfectly untouchable.

Leo hesitated. Should he go over and talk to him? He hadn’t had a chance to say anything since that awkward moment in the hallway on the first day. Ethan had practically bolted, and Leo was left feeling like a ghost haunting his own life.

“What’s up with you?” Alicia asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Huh?” Leo blinked.

“You’ve been weirdly quiet,” Marcus added, stuffing a fry into his mouth. “Usually, you’ve got jokes.”

“It’s nothing,” Leo said quickly. “I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t. And he knew he wouldn’t be until he talked to Ethan.

Leo’s Decision

The opportunity came sooner than expected. As Leo walked toward the soda machine, he nearly collided with someone carrying a tray.

“Watch it—” The words froze in Leo’s throat. “Ethan.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ethan looked just as startled, his tray wobbling precariously.

“Leo,” Ethan said, his tone neutral but his eyes darting nervously to the table where Kai and Abby sat.

Leo smiled, trying to ease the tension. “Hey. I was wondering when we’d finally get to talk.”

“Talk?” Ethan’s voice was barely above a whisper, his gaze still flicking to his table.

“Yeah,” Leo said, his smile faltering. “You know, about—”

Ethan cut him off, his voice suddenly cold. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

Leo blinked, taken aback. “Nothing to talk about? Ethan, we—”

“It was a mistake,” Ethan said quickly, his voice harsh. “Let it go.”

The words hit Leo like a slap. A mistake? After everything they’d shared that night?

Before Leo could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.

Kai Steps In

“Everything okay here?”

Kai Park strolled up, his sharp gaze flicking between Ethan and Leo. His posture was relaxed, but there was an edge to his tone that set Leo on edge.

Ethan took a step back, relieved to have the interruption. “Yeah, Kai. Everything’s fine.”

Kai didn’t look convinced. “Sure doesn’t look fine.”

Leo crossed his arms, standing his ground. “We were just talking.”

Kai tilted his head, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Talking, huh? Funny, it didn’t sound like that.”

Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve got to go. I’ll catch you later, Kai.”

Without another word, Ethan turned and walked away, leaving Leo standing there with Kai.

“Smooth,” Kai said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Really subtle.”

Leo glared at him. “What’s your problem?”

“My problem?” Kai took a step closer, his smirk fading. “You’re my problem. I don’t know what your deal is, but let me give you some advice: stay away from Ethan.”

Leo bristled. “Why? Is he not allowed to talk to anyone without your permission?”

Kai’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t know him like I do. You don’t know what he’s been through. So don’t think you can just waltz in here and—”

“And what?” Leo interrupted, his voice rising. “You don’t own him, Kai.”

The cafeteria seemed to quiet, heads turning toward the brewing confrontation.

Kai leaned in, his voice low and threatening. “Maybe not. But I protect him. And if you hurt him, you’ll regret it.”

Leo clenched his fists, his chest tight with frustration. “I’m not here to hurt him.”

“Good,” Kai said, his smirk returning. “Then this shouldn’t be a problem.”

With that, Kai turned and walked away, leaving Leo standing there, seething.

Alicia and Marcus Intervene

Back at the table, Alicia and Marcus were waiting for Leo.

“What was that about?” Alicia asked, her eyes wide.

“Nothing,” Leo muttered, slumping into his seat.

“Nothing?” Marcus snorted. “Dude, the whole cafeteria saw that.”

Leo rubbed his temples, trying to push down the mix of anger and humiliation bubbling inside him. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Alicia exchanged a look with Marcus but didn’t press further. Instead, she leaned forward, her voice soft. “Listen, Leo. I don’t know what’s going on between you and Ethan, but Kai doesn’t mess around. Be careful.”

Leo nodded, though he wasn’t sure what to make of her warning.

End of Chapter Four

Leo sat in the cafeteria, staring at his untouched food. Ethan was avoiding him, Kai had declared himself the gatekeeper, and Leo was left wondering if he’d made a mistake coming to Westwood High.

But one thing was clear: he wasn’t going to let this end here. Whatever it took, he was going to get through to Ethan. Even if it meant going up against Kai.