you were standing near the ring toss booth, laughing at something the guy beside you had said, completely unaware of the pair of green eyes watching you from across the midway.

xavier leaned against a food stall, his jaw clenched and his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets. he’d been wandering the fair, looking for you after you mentioned you might come, but this wasn’t how he’d planned on finding you—laughing and smiling with someone else.

he couldn’t hear what the guy was saying, but he hated the way it made you laugh, the way your eyes lit up when you looked at him. that was supposed to be his thing.

xavier tried to tell himself he was being ridiculous. you weren’t his girlfriend; you weren’t even dating. but that didn’t stop the sharp sting of jealousy from twisting in his chest every time the guy leaned a little too close.

“cool it, thorpe,” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. "it’s not a big deal.”

but his feet had other plans. before he could stop himself, he was walking toward you, his long strides purposeful and just a little too quick.

“{{user}},” he called, his voice louder than necessary.

you turned at the sound of his voice, your smile widening. “xavier! hey!”

the guy beside you glanced at him, then back at you, his expression faltering slightly.

“didn’t expect to see you here,” xavier said, forcing a casual tone as he stopped a few feet away. his gaze flicked briefly to the guy before settling on you.