Jason lounged against the row of lockers, twirling a pen between his fingers while replaying the moment in class when Elyra's shoulders had trembled ever so slightly. Her defiance had crumbled, if only for a moment, and guilt nagged at him in a way he didn't want to admit. He tapped the pen against his palm, scowling as his friends joked nearby. "Man, did you see her face?" one of them cackled. "Classic!"

Jason's laugh felt hollow, forced. The memory of Elyra's downcast eyes and trembling hand as she scooped up the silver coin clung to him like a weight.

"What's your deal?" another friend asked, nudging him.

"Nothing," Jason muttered. "I was just thinking..."

"About Ghost Girl?" the friend teased, drawing laughter from the group.noveldrama

Jason's jaw tightened, and he shoved off the lockers. "Shut up. Let's just go."

As he walked away, his thoughts churned. For a brief, fleeting moment, he considered pulling Elyra aside, muttering an awkward apology, and leaving her alone. But the image of Dain standing protectively by her side-his golden eyes smoldering with a warning-flashed in his mind. "Why does he get to be the hero?" Jason hissed under his breath.

His jealousy flared, twisting his guilt into something darker. Elyra might have been out of reach, but that didn't mean Jason couldn't demand her attention in his own way.

"She'll notice me eventually," he thought, his fists clenched. "Even if I have to force her to."