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3RD PERSON POV

Neither responded.

The silence was more painful than a fight would’ve been. Irritation flared bright and hot in Adrien’s chest—after days of Noah avoiding him, dodging every attempt at contact, refusing even a sliver of an explanation, there he was, having a quiet discussion with the one person who had every reason to despise them both.

After another beat, Ethan let out a sharp exhale through his nose and pushed off from the stone wall he’d been leaning against.

"I’ve got somewhere to be," he muttered, already turning away.

Adrien watched him walk off, his jaw tightening as Ethan’s broad shoulders disappeared around the corner of the building. Only when the footsteps had faded did he turn back to Noah.

"What’s going on with you?" he asked, his voice quieter now, though he still couldn’t hide the edge.

Noah shifted his weight, discomfort etched on his face. "Nothing."

Adrien scoffed softly. "Sure. Because nothing usually involves secretly meeting up with the guy who punched me in the face."

Noah winced at the reminder, an involuntary flinch that made Adrien’s chest tighten.

"Adrien, it’s not like that—"

"Then what is it like?"

The question slipped out sharper than he intended, frustration breaking through the careful calm he’d been trying to maintain for days. Noah had shut him out...entirely and purposefully, and here was Ethan getting through when Adrien couldn’t. The jealousy he’d been holding back like a simmering pot finally boiled over.

"So this is it?" Adrien asked, his voice low and bitter. "You’ve made up your mind. You’ve decided, haven’t you?"

Noah frowned, confusion crossing his brow. "Decided what?"

Adrien gestured toward where Ethan had gone. "Him."

The single word hung heavy in the air between them, sharp and accusing.

Noah stared back, stunned. "Adrien, what the hell are you talking about?"

"You said you couldn’t choose," Adrien pressed, the words coming faster now, fueled by a hurt he hadn’t allowed himself to face until this moment. "You claimed you’d rather be alone than pick between us. But now, suddenly, you’re back with Ethan? Sneaking off to chat where no one can hear? Avoiding me like I’m the problem."

"That’s not—" Noah shook his head quickly, raising his hands in a helpless gesture. "That’s not what’s happening."

Adrien scrutinized him, searching for the lie, for the truth, anything that might ease the ache in his chest. "Then tell me what is happening."

Noah hesitated.

That brief moment of silence was everything.

Adrien’s frustration sharpened dangerously.

"You are unbelievable," he muttered. "You cut me off, you run off to Gigi’s for days, and the only person you’ll talk to is the guy who hates me and wants you."

"Adrien, stop it." Noah moved in closer, his voice lowering to a pleading tone. "It’s not about you two."

Adrien let out a short, humorless laugh. "Everything with you is about us."

Noah rubbed his hands over his face, clearly overwhelmed. "Adrien, please—just trust me." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Trust you?" Adrien echoed, incredulously. "How am I supposed to trust you when you won’t even tell me what’s going on?"

Before Noah could respond, footsteps echoed behind them.

Ethan had turned back around, apparently realizing he’d forgotten something in his locker. The moment he saw Adrien standing with Noah, his expression darkened once more.

"Oh good," Adrien said coldly, facing him. "Maybe you can explain it."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. "Explain what?"

"Whatever the hell you two are hiding."

Ethan’s temper flared. "We’re not hiding anything."

Adrien let out a laugh again, though it was void of warmth. "Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you two are having secret meetings behind my back for the past few days."

Ethan took a step closer. "Maybe because everything doesn’t revolve around you."

The words hit hard.

Adrien’s eyes flashed. "You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that."

Noah quickly intervened, stepping between them with his hands raised. "Stop," he said urgently. "Both of you, just stop."

But neither was listening.

"You think I don’t see what’s going on?" Adrien shot back, his voice rising despite being out in public. "He chooses you, and suddenly you’re best fucking friends again?"

Ethan scoffed. "Trust me, I’m not here to fight you over him."

Noah visibly flinched at that, pain crossing his features.

"Can you both just—" he tried again.

"No," Adrien interrupted, his gaze locked onto Noah. "I want the truth."

Noah’s heart raced, pounding in his throat. He knew exactly what Adrien wanted to hear.

And he couldn’t tell him.

"Adrien," he said quietly, pleading, "I can’t explain right now."

Ethan turned away in visible frustration. "Great," he muttered. "This was a mistake."

"Yeah," Adrien said bitterly. "You showing up usually is."

Ethan had finally had enough. "You know what? Forget it."

He stormed past them, intentionally brushing his shoulder harshly against Adrien’s, making the contact unmistakable. Noah called out after him—"Ethan—" but there was no slowing him down.

The hallway fell eerily silent.

Adrien turned slowly back to Noah, his anger morphing into something much more serious and dangerous.

"You’re scared," he said quietly.

Noah froze.

Adrien studied his face, Noah’s eyes darting toward the direction Ethan had just gone, the slight tremor in his hands, the way he kept swallowing, as if the words were caught in his throat.

"This isn’t about deciding between us," Adrien continued slowly, realization washing over him like cold water. "This is something else."

Noah stayed silent.

That silence spoke volumes.

Adrien’s gaze sharpened, dread coiling in his stomach.

"This has to do with my family, doesn’t it?"

Noah visibly flinched.

Adrien caught the reaction...the quick intake of breath, the way Noah’s pupils dilated momentarily and slowly, terrifying pieces began to fall into place.

Noah had overheard something at Adrien’s house.

Noah had left to stay with Gigi all of a sudden.

Ethan had started asking odd questions again.

They were both keeping something from him.

Adrien’s voice dropped to a near-whisper, thick with sudden fear. "What did you hear at my house, Noah?"

The question loomed between them like a lit match.

Noah stood caught in the courtyard, the winter wind tugging at his hoodie, the fading chatter of students around them becoming just background noise. He looked at Adrien, the boy who had kissed him under twinkling lights, who had held him tight when it felt like everything was falling apart and saw the growing horror in his eyes.

And for the first time, Noah realized that the secret he’d been carrying might not remain a secret for much longer.

Because the truth had a name.

And that name was Keith.