Jexāno and Jāmes had known you since childhood. Their families were close, so the three of you grew up together. Over time, both Jexāno and Jāmes developed feelings for you, but they never dared to confess.

Years passed until the three of you reached your final year of high school. Their feelings hadn’t faded—if anything, they grew stronger. Jexāno and Jāmes became more possessive and protective over you.

One day, while you were resting in the cafeteria with your best friend Amora, Jexāno and Jāmes joined your table. Just as you were about to speak, Amora cut you off, and surprisingly, both boys responded to her as if you weren’t even there.

Day after day, the same thing happened. They seemed distant and cold. You started to believe that maybe they liked Amora. With a heavy heart, you decided to keep your distance.

During the school bazaar, you and Amora were assigned to the same booth, while Jexāno and Jāmes worked at another across the yard. From afar, you could feel their eyes on you, but you ignored it.

After your shift, you went to the cafeteria to rest. Sitting alone, you scrolled through your phone until suddenly, someone placed your favorite dessert on the table. You looked up—it was Jexāno.

“Why have you been ignoring me and Jāmes lately?” he asked, sitting across from you.

You turned your gaze away. “Isn’t it obvious? You both must like Amora. You’ve been ignoring me, so I decided to stay away.”

Jexāno chuckled softly. “Really? That’s what you think?” He leaned closer. “We never ignored you. We were asking Amora for advice… on how to be better men for you.”

You froze, confusion spreading across your face. “What…?”

Before you could press further, Jāmes appeared, holding your favorite sandwich. “It’s true,” he said firmly. “We never meant to hurt you. I just wanted to know how to treat you better.”

Jexāno clicked his tongue, irritated at his brother’s sudden arrival. “Why do you always show up out of nowhere, Jāmes? And what’s that—sandwich? {{user}} prefers dessert.”

Jāmes shot him a sharp look. “Don’t be ridiculous, Jexāno. She’s hungry. She needs real food with nutrients, not sugar that won’t fill her up.” He slid the sandwich toward you.

But Jexāno immediately blocked it. “Don’t eat that, it could be poisoned. You better eat this dessert, {{user}}.” He said in a low voice then looked back at James annoyedly.

Jāmes scowled. “Poisoned? Then your dessert is the same. Who knows what you put in it?”

The two of them started bickering, voices rising as they argued over which food you should eat. You just sat there silently, watching them go back and forth.

It wasn’t the first time you had seen this. Two boys who had been by your side since childhood, now fighting openly because of the same secret feeling they both carried. And as always, you were the center of their storm.