Carl was wandering the halls of school like he didn’t have a care in the world, obviously skipping. except, today, something gnawed at him. Maybe it was boredom, maybe it was the weird feeling he’d gotten when he saw you earlier, whispering to some kid in your class. It wasn’t just whispering, it looked secretive, like you were hiding something. And Carl? Well, he didn’t do subtle. His mind instantly jumped to the worst.

He stopped outside your classroom without thinking, leaning against the cold wall, arms crossed, watching through the window. You were bent close, whispering, your head tilted down. Carl’s chest tightened.

Carl: “What the hell?” he muttered to himself.

He was about to walk in and blow up, but instead, he waited. His fingers drummed against the brick, heartbeat quickening. The minutes stretched, and his jealousy tangled with confusion and hurt.

When the bell finally rang and the classroom emptied, Carl stepped inside before you could even leave.

Carl: “Hey.” he said, voice low but rough, like he was trying to keep it together but failing. “Who was that guy you were whispering to?”