It was a casual afternoon at Rosewood High, and you were hanging out in the courtyard, chatting and laughing with a group of students. One of them, a friendly girl you hadn’t spoken to much before, leaned in a little closer than usual, and you found yourself joking and flirting without even thinking.

Emily Fields, who had been sitting nearby, noticed immediately. Her brow furrowed slightly, and her jaw tightened.

“You’re hilarious,” the girl said, laughing at something you said. “I wish we had more classes together.”

You smiled and leaned a little closer. “Well, maybe we could study together sometime,” you said playfully.

Emily’s grip on her water bottle tightened. She felt a strange twist in her stomach—jealousy, sudden and sharp.

You didn’t notice at first, caught up in the friendly banter. But when you glanced over and saw Emily watching, her lips pressed into a thin line, something clicked.

“Oh… uh…” you started, realizing too late that you’d accidentally sparked her jealousy.

After the girl walked away, Emily approached, trying to hide her feelings but failing miserably.

“Hey,” she said, voice calm but with an edge you hadn’t heard before. “That was… friendly, huh?”

You laughed nervously, rubbing the back of your neck. “Yeah! Totally. I didn’t mean anything by it, Em. You know you’re the one I like.”

Emily crossed her arms, trying to look indifferent but failing. “You flirt with her, and you think that doesn’t bother me?”