*Nate's POV*
I wasn't even supposed to be here.
The library is one of my favorite places. I love that it's too quiet, yet I hated that it's too stiff, like the air itself carried the weight of every law student's stress and desperation. But I needed a book for my next class, and since my usual study spot was occupied, I figured I might as well skim through my notes here.
That was until I saw Sam.
I didn't expect to feel anything at the sight of her, but there it was... that small, inexplicable sense of ease. She was sitting with Millie and Cass. Cass, of course, was my academic rival, the thorn in my side, the one person in this entire law school who refused to let me hold the top spot uncontested.
And yet, here they were, trapped over a pile of textbooks, completely absorbed in their study session.
I should've just kept walking. I really should have.
Instead, I found myself pulling out the chair next to Sam and sitting down like I belonged there.
"Mind if I join?" I asked, not really waiting for an answer.
Millie and Cass stared at me like I had just announced my retirement from law school. Sam, on the other hand, blinked in surprise before giving a small nod.
"Uh... hey?" she said.
Cass narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly are you doing here, Dawson?" She knows I don't normally study with people.
"Joining your study session. Hope you don't mind."
"Oh, we mind. We very much mind." Cass shot back immediately.
"Relax, I'm here to help." I smirked and gave her a teasing look that says: Unless you're scared I might outshine you in front of your friends.
Cass scoffed. "We don't need help. I was already tutoring them."
"Sure, but wouldn't it be better if they had two tutors? Besides, I highly doubt you're explaining everything perfectly."
Cass's jaw clenched, and I could practically see the fire ignite in her eyes. I had known her long enough to recognize that expression... it was her battle face.
And just like that, I knew our study session was doomed to become a battlefield.
For the next hour, Cass and I took turns explaining legal concepts, but it quickly spiraled into something else. A full-blown intellectual showdown.
"No, that's not how the ruling was structured," Cass argued, flipping through her notes. "The court prioritized the intent behind the law over its literal interpretation. That's basic statutory construction."
"That's one approach," I countered, leaning back in my chair. "But if you consider the dissenting opinion, they emphasized the principle of lex specialis. If a more specific law contradicts a general one, the specific law should apply. So technically—"
"Nate, the ruling was clear," Cass interrupted. "Stop reaching."
I grinned. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot you were the Supreme Court."
Millie sighed, hiding her smile behind her book, clearly enjoying this. Sam, on the other hand, groaned dramatically and threw her hands up. "Can you two stop? This is supposed to be a study session, not a courtroom debate."
Cass turned to her, exasperated. "He started it."
"I just wanted to help," I said innocently.
Cass rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right."
The truth? I didn't even know why I was doing this. I had only meant to sit with Sam, but something about Cass always brought out my competitive side. Maybe it was because she was the only one who could match me, who could challenge me and push back just as hard. Or maybe I just liked annoying her.
Whatever it was, I was having way too much fun.
And then, the moment that killed the mood.
"Nate, let's go."
The voice was sharp yet soft, and instantly, my stomach dropped.
Ashley.
I turned to see her standing near our table, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable, but I knew her well enough to know that she was upset.
Sam, Millie, and Cass exchanged quick, confused glances. The atmosphere shifted, and I suddenly felt like I had just been caught doing something I shouldn't have.
Which was ridiculous. I hadn't done anything wrong.
Still, I nodded, gathering my things. "I'll see you guys later."
As I followed Ashley out of the library, I could feel the confused stares of the three girls burning into my back.
We walked in silence for a while, heading toward our next class. I was debating whether to say something when Luna, Ashley's best friend, appeared out of nowhere and linked arms with her.
"I heard you were at the library," Luna said, her voice laced with fake sweetness. "With Sam."
I clenched my jaw. "I was with Millie and Cassandra, too."
"Oh, I know." Luna smirked. "But you seem to be getting awfully close to the new girl."
Ashley exhaled, rubbing her temple. "Nate, we talked about this."
I sighed. "Ash, they're just our schoolmates. We were studying, that's it."
Ashley looked at me then, her expression softening slightly. "You know I don't like it when you... when you act like that with other girls."
"Like what?"
"Like... giggling," she said, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Luna snorted. "Yeah, because you don't giggle with us."
I rolled my eyes, barely holding back a groan. "Oh, come on. I wasn't giggling."
"You were laughing," Luna said pointedly. "And someone saw you at the coffee shop with Sam the other day. And then at the party, you had loooong conversations. And now the library?" She tilted her head, her voice dripping with amusement. "That's a lot of coincidences."
Can I punch a girl? No, of course not. But she's getting into my nerves. Why is she even with us anyway?
I shot Luna a glare. If she wasn't Ashley's best friend, I would've told her to back off. But as much as she annoyed me, she was important to Ashley, and the last thing I wanted was to make things worse.
Ashley sighed. "Nate, I just... I don't like it. I get jealous, okay?"
There was no malice in her tone, no accusations. Just honesty.
I felt a pang of guilt. Ashley wasn't the type to start drama for no reason. She wasn't controlling or demanding. She was just... insecure. And the last thing I wanted was to make her feel that way.
So I did the only thing I could.
"If it bothers you," I said quietly, "I'll stop talking to Sam."
Ashley looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Are you sure?"
I forced a smile. "Yeah. If it makes you feel better, then I'll do it."
Ashley exhaled in relief and nodded, squeezing my hand. "Thank you."
Luna, of course, was smug. "Good call, Nate."
I ignored her, focusing instead on the feeling of Ashley's fingers intertwined with mine.
I told myself I was doing the right thing. That this was what a good boyfriend would do.
So why did it feel so wrong?
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