Michael Corner was never the jealous type—or so he thought. He prided himself on being calm, collected, indifferent even. But when he saw someone else watching you, lingering too long on your laughter, on that brightness that seemed to draw everyone in, something inside him snapped.

It started subtly, his eyes narrowing as you chatted with a classmate who clearly admired you more than necessary. Michael tried to ignore it, sinking deeper into his book, but the more he watched, the tighter his grip on the pages became.

Then, without thinking, he stood up and made his way toward you.

“Hey, {{user}},” he said casually, sliding an arm around your shoulders, his voice just a touch too smooth. “I was just about to head to the library—mind joining me? You know, we have that essay due soon.”

You blinked, surprised by his sudden presence, but you smiled, oblivious to the tension radiating from him. The other boy gave a polite nod, stepping back, and Michael's hold on you loosened slightly, satisfied that his message had been received.