My Stepbrother, My Enemy {BL}-Chapter 111: Becoming A Warrior Prince

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I shifted my textbooks to the other arm, trying to project confidence that I didn’t really feel. Skylar’s words were still ringing in my ears, and before I could think twice, the decision spilled out.

"Okay... I’m going."

Both Gigi and Skylar froze, like I had just announced I was off to Antarctica to marry a penguin.

Gigi’s face went pale.

"Noah, no. Absolutely not. Seriously, this gives me a bad feeling, like, stomach-ache bad, you know?"

Skylar sighed with an air of drama. "Gigi, hun, your stomach acts up when you drink milk."

"That was one time!" Gigi hissed as she grabbed my wrist, panic written all over her face. "Noah, listen. Just...let me do a reading tonight first before you decide. One reading. I’ll even use my moonlit deck. If it says danger, you’re not going."

I almost laughed...partly at how serious she was, and partly because honestly, if she pulled out her cards right here in the hallway, I wouldn’t even bat an eye.

"I appreciate it," I said softly, squeezing her hand. "But I really need to make this choice for myself. I can’t stay scared forever. If there’s something going on... I have to find out. I’m tired of just being the guy that things happen to, I’m going to take control for once."

Gigi looked at me like I’d just transformed into some fierce warrior overnight.

"Since when did you turn into a warrior prince?" she muttered, blinking rapidly.

Skylar grinned. "It’s the Scorpio side of him finally coming out, you were right about zodiac signs, Gigi. I’ve been waiting for this!"

I rolled my eyes, but warmth spread through my chest. "I can handle myself," I said again, mostly to reassure them—but maybe a bit to convince myself too.

Gigi opened her mouth, ready to argue again, but I shook my head.

"Please. Just... respect my decision. I promise I’ll be careful."

She let out a long, defeated groan and sank against her locker.

"Fine. But if anything goes south, I’m blaming both of you. And then I’m hexing this entire school."

Skylar snorted. "Relax. Worst case? Noah gets a little traumatized again."

She winked at me. "But hey, at least this time he’ll be mentally prepared."

I couldn’t help but laugh, even though my stomach was in knots.

"Yeah," I said quietly. "Prepared."

As we walked to class together, I felt that familiar flutter of anxiety in my chest, equal parts fear and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

"So are you going to tell us why you’re wearing a turtle neck?" Skylar asked with a knowing grin. "Or should I just come to my own conclusion."

I halfheartedly glared at her, "Stop."

The parking lot was already thinning out, and the winter air was sharp enough to make my breath fog as I hugged my books close. I was almost to the sidewalk when I jumped at a familiar honk.

Ethan’s sleek car pulled up beside me, the window sliding down to reveal his annoyingly handsome smile.

His blue eyes glanced straight to my neck.

"Well, well, well," he drawled, "if it isn’t Mr. I-Hate-Turtlenecks."

He wiggled his eyebrows. "Cute look, though. Very mysterious librarian-who-has-secrets vibe."

I groaned, tugging the fabric higher. "This is your fault," I grumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Completely your fault."

He laughed, warm and rich, which wasn’t helping me at all. "I’ll take the blame. Gladly."

Before I could respond, he leaned over slightly.

"Want a ride home? I promise I won’t give you another reason to wear turtlenecks... tomorrow."

I rolled my eyes, but my heart had that stupid fluttering thing happening anyway.

"Fine. Yes, please. My feet hurt and my backpack’s heavy."

I slipped into the passenger seat, grateful for the warmth that enveloped me instantly. As soon as I shut the door, Ethan shifted closer, brushing my cheek with his hand before kissing me, it was gentle at first, then deepening just enough to take my breath away.

It was a brief kiss, but it left tingles all the way down my spine.

He pulled back, wearing a smug little smile. "Hi," he murmured.

I tried not to melt, I didn’t succeed by the way. "Hi."

He started the car, stealing glances at me as we pulled away.

"So... you busy tonight?"

I frowned, thinking it over. "Not really. Gigi and I were supposed to study, but her aunt dragged her to some energy-cleansing thing. Why?"

His smile widened in that way that made me both suspicious and embarrassingly excited.

"Good. Because I want to take you somewhere."

"Somewhere?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"It’s a surprise," he said, his voice soft and playful. "I’ve been planning it for a while. You’re going to like it."

A nervous thrill curled inside me, . "Should I be scared?"

He chuckled. "No. Just trust me."

I stared out the window as he drove off, fingers twisting the hem of my dreaded turtleneck, heart pounding with anticipation, curiosity, and something unnameable.

Whatever surprise he had in store... it was enough to make my pulse race.

Ethan drove us through Willow Haven, the familiar streets blending together in the late-afternoon glow. The town always looked its best at this hour, like someone dipped the rooftops and trees in warm honey. I took it all in, trying to hide how nervous I truly felt.

Ethan’s fingers tapped on the steering wheel as he stole glances at me, that soft smile still in place.

"So... haven’t seen you at practice lately."

His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was something more beneath the surface.

I shifted in my seat, guilt creeping up my spine. "Yeah. I know. I’ve just been... swamped with schoolwork these days."

That was mostly true. But school wasn’t the only thing weighing me down. The journal entries, late-night theories, Adrien’s dark glances, the constant knot in my stomach whenever I thought about L.S... it all loomed heavy over me.

But I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that. At least not yet.

Ethan let out a low hum, his brows knitting together for a moment.

"I miss seeing you there, you know," he said gently. "It’s odd doing drills and not looking over to see you pretending to read while totally spying on me."

My face heated up instantly. "I was not spying!"

"Uh-huh," he said, trying not to smile. "You were totally spying. And then pretending you weren’t. It was adorable."

I attempted to scowl, but it cracked halfway. "I’m really sorry," I murmured. "I didn’t mean to vanish like that."

He glanced at me again, this time longer, softer. "I know you’ve had a lot on your plate. But... I like having you around."

Guilt twisted again, tighter this time.

Because I could feel how sincere he was. And how much I wasn’t sharing.

I swallowed hard and forced a smile. "I’ll come around again soon. Promise. Maybe even this week."

He brightened immediately, like someone flipped a switch inside him. "Yeah? Really?"

I nodded, tracing a finger over the stitching of my bag. "Yeah. I’ll make time."