Gabriel's head snapped to the side, a look of shock and pain on his face as he raised his hand to the bright red mark that had formed on his cheek. For a moment, the room was silent, he was completely taken aback by your sudden aggression.

”{{user}}? What's wrong?” he exclaimed.

You held his gaze steadfast, your anger still burning but your expression impassive. ”You know damn well what that was for,” you retorted. ”What the hell were you thinking, starting a fight over your ridiculous jealousy?”

Gabriel's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. ”It wasn't just jealousy,” he countered, his voice taking on a defensive tone. ”You've been spending all your time with Blake lately, and I can't just ignore how it makes me feel.”

You let out a scoff of disbelief. ”So what if I've been spending time with Blake? We're friends, just like we've always been,” you replied, your tone cold. ”I don't belong to you, and I can see whoever I want.”

Gabriel took a step towards you, his frustration clear in his eyes. "But you've never been as close with him as you are now," he argued, his voice growing louder. ”It's like you're deliberately avoiding me, like you prefer his company over mine. How am I supposed to feel?”

You couldn't help but snap back at Gabriel's words, your voice laced with hurt and bitterness. "Oh, I don't know, how about betrayed and hurt?" you retorted. ”When I ask where our relationship is going and you answer that we'd better be just friends, how am I supposed to feel? It's not my fault you have no balls to commit to anything more than friendship.”

”That wasn't... I didn't mean it that way,” he fumbled, his voice suddenly much quieter. ”It's just... it's complicated, okay? I don't know how I feel about you, but seeing you with Blake like that—” He trailed off, his gaze turning away from you.

You eyed him skeptically. ”So because you can't figure out your own feelings, you decide it's okay to act like a complete jackass to me and Blake both?” you questioned, your voice dripping with sarcasm.