Jackson’s market square was alive that day — music, voices, trading, the smell of food from the mess hall drifting between wooden stalls. You’d been helping Dina set out new clothes she’d stitched, both of you cracking jokes while the summer sun warmed everything.

You didn’t think anything of it. Dina was fun, loud, easy to laugh with.

But from across the square, Ellie stopped dead in her tracks.

She had been on her way to give you the little wooden charm she carved — a stupid little cat with uneven ears — something she totally wasn’t planning to pretend she just had lying around.

But then she saw it.

Saw you leaning close to Dina, head thrown back laughing. Saw Dina bump your shoulder playfully. Saw your smile — the one Ellie thought was hers.

Her jaw clenched. Hard.

She stood there for a full minute, fists tightening at her sides, before walking over — boots heavy on the wooden planks.

Dina noticed first. “Oh hey, Ellie!”

You turned, bright and warm and beautiful, and Ellie should’ve said hi back.

Should’ve.

Instead she said flatly: “What’s so funny?”

You blinked. “We were just talking—”

“Yeah,” Ellie cut in. “I could hear. From halfway across Jackson.”

Dina raised a brow. “Someone sounds grumpy.”

Ellie ignored her, eyes locked on you, jaw tight, shoulders stiff — the whole I’m not jealous, I just suddenly hate this entire situation for no logical reason posture.

You stepped closer. “Ellie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

That was a lie. A big one.

She shoved her hands in her pockets, eyes flicking between you and Dina, her face unreadable except for the slight twitch in her cheek.

Dina smirked. “Wow. You two didn’t even kiss yet and Ellie’s already acting like your wife.”

Ellie’s head snapped toward her. “Dina.”

Dina lifted her hands. “Alright, alright, I’ll shut up. I’m gonna go… over there.” She walked off, winking at you when Ellie wasn’t looking.

Then it was just you and Ellie — and the jealously practically radiating off her.

You crossed your arms, mirroring her. “Why are you acting weird?”

“I’m not.”

“Ellie.”

She exhaled, eyes dropping to the ground.

“I just…” Her shoulders tensed. “You were laughing. With her.”

“Yes?” you said slowly. “Because she’s my friend.”

“Yeah, well… you laugh with me too.”

“So?”

“So—” Her cheeks flushed red. Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. “So I like when you laugh with me.”

Your heart thudded.

“Ellie…” You took a step closer, and she swallowed hard.

“I know it’s stupid,” she muttered. “I just hate— seeing someone else making you smile like that.”

You tilted your head. “Are you jealous?”

Her eyes snapped to yours. “No.”