Jealousy.

Karina

The room was bathed in awkward silence. I could barely breathe as I stared helplessly at the empty space where he was supposed to be.

Why had he left so abruptly?

There was already an answer in my mind, one that told ne that it was my fault. Yet I couldn't decipher why.

Was it my presence alone? He had previously called me out of doing the opposite, so why would he be annoyed now?

A spark of irritation cut across my confusion.

A sigh brought me back to reality. I turned to find his mother staring back at me.

“Don't be bothered dear. He must have had a hard time with the elders today.” she said, smiling comfortingly. She looked completely unfazed by her son's sudden attitude.

Opposite me, his father nodded.

None of their excuses were convincing, but I bit my lip and nodded.

It was after the dinner, walking across the hallway that I knew I couldn't let it be.

“Excuse me.” I called out to the younger girl as she almost slipped past me, passing an assurring smile to ease the insta