Chapter 102 – Anger

We linger in the library for just a bit longer, both of us frantically trying to make ourselves look like we weren't just making out.

I run my hands through my hair, which is sticking up in at least seventeen different directions from where her fingers were running through it. My shirt's wrinkled, my lips feel swollen, and I'm pretty sure I have a visible erection that's taking its sweet time going down. Meanwhile, Selene just... fixes her hair, adjusts her shirt, and somehow looks absolutely perfect again within about thirty seconds.

How? How is that even possible?

I try to finger-comb my hair into something resembling its normal state. It doesn't work. I take a look at myself in one of the library windows and wince. I look like I just survived a natural disaster.

"Here, let me!" Selene steps closer, reaching up without waiting for permission. Her fingers run through my hair with practiced movements that are both helpful and extremely distracting. "There! Much better!"

I check my reflection again. Geez, she's a miracle worker. I still look a bit disheveled, but at least I don't look like I just crawled out of a wind tunnel.

"Okay, you all good to go?" I ask her.

"Mhm!" She nods enthusiastically, practically bouncing on her feet. "Ready!"

We're both still smiling at each other like idiots. I don't know about her, but I'm pretty sure my smile is going to be permanently tattooed on my face for the rest of the day. Maybe the rest of my life. I just kissed Selene. Multiple times. And she kissed me back. And she told me it was her first kiss. And she said she loves me.

Holy shit, my life is incredible.

"Alright, let's head out." I'm already mentally preparing my excuse for why I'm late to class. Food poisoning? No, too dramatic. Stomach issues? Vague enough to work.

"Wait wait wait!" She suddenly grabs my arm before I can step away, her pink eyes sparkling with mischief. "One more kiss! Please?"

I can't help but smile. She's so fucking cute.

We lean in, our lips meet in a quick, sweet kiss. It's nothing like the desperate, heated kisses from before, but somehow it's just as perfect. Soft, gentle, and loving.

She squeals afterward, and does this little happy dance that makes my chest feel tight.

"Okay, okay. That's it though." I'm trying to sound firm, but I'm grinning a little too hard to pull it off. "Or we're never leaving this library."

She giggles. "Fiiine!"

We head to the library exit, and I realize we need to split up here since we have different classes. Selene gives me one last brilliant smile before practically skipping down the hallway toward wherever she needs to be. I watch her go for probably longer than I should, then force myself to turn and head in the opposite direction.

I practically sprint toward English, and when I burst through the door, every head in the classroom turns to look at me.

Mr. Adams glances up from where he's standing at the front of the room, one eyebrow raised.

I make my way to him quickly, keeping my voice low.  "Hi Mr. Adams, I'm so sorry I'm late. I had uh... stomach issues."

He raises an eyebrow even higher, looking completely unconvinced. But then he just chuckles. "Alright, Gray. You're a good student, and a good kid. So I'll let it slide this time. Don't make this a habit though, you hear?"

I feel my shoulders relax. "Yeah, definitely. Thanks."

"Take your seat."

He waves me off with a good-natured smile, and I quickly make my way to my seat near the back of the classroom. A few people are still glancing at me, probably wondering what happened, but most have already lost interest and gone back to whatever they were doing.

I barely manage to sit down before I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.

I pull it out subtly, keeping it low under my desk where Mr. Adams can't see.

Selene: ADAM I MISS YOU ALREADY ???

Selene: that was literally the best thing ever omg

Selene: I love youuuuu ??

I can't stop the stupid grin that spreads across my face. I quickly type back.

Adam: Miss you too!

Adam: Love you

I pocket my phone and try to focus on class, still not quite believing this is real.

It's exceptionally hard to pay attention today. Which, I suppose, is obvious after everything that happened in the library…

Nope. Stop. Focus, Adam.

I shake my head and take a deep breath, forcing myself to stop replaying the makeout session with Selene for the fiftieth time in a row. Mr. Adams is going over some of the readings we were assigned, discussing the deeper meanings the author was trying to convey.

It's all stuff that I already know, though, so I let my attention drift for a moment.

There's something way more important that I need to check on.

My system.

Now that I'm finally a bit more relaxed and not actively making out with Selene, I can feel this tiny itch in the back of my consciousness. It's familiar, the sensation I get when my system is trying to get my attention.

I mentally pull up the system interface, and the messages flood my vision all at once.

Ding! Your Charm has increased by 2

Ding! You've completed the quest: Romance

Rewards: 20 Evolution Points

Ding! You've obtained the passive skill: Novice Kisser

Oh. Wow. That's actually a lot.

2 points in Charm. Sweet.

20 Evolution points. That's nice.

And a new passive skill! Cool!

…Eh. Forget it. I'm just faking my enthusiasm here. Right now, I literally couldn't care less about my system.

Don't get me wrong, the rewards are nice. The skill is probably useful. The Evolution Points will come in handy. But compared to what just happened, compared to Selene telling me she loves me, to kissing her, to hearing that I was her first kiss, the system feels almost... trivial.

There is one thing that's bothering me though.

The other girls in my life.

What about Bianca? What about Luna?

The thought hits me like a punch to the gut.

Luna is my first friend in high school. We have similar interests: programming, anime, games. She's the most adorable girl I've ever met, with that shy smile and those big violet eyes. I haven't known her for long, but she's wonderful. Sweet. Kind. And if I'm being honest with myself, I like her. Maybe more than I should.

But Bianca. Fuck. Bianca is a whole different problem.

I've been crushing on Bianca for just as long as I've been crushing on Selene. She's gorgeous, funny, sarcastic, nerdy as hell. We've lived together for years. I know her better than almost anyone. And I'm not sure about this, I could be completely wrong, but I think she likes me back.

Oh no. What the hell do I do?

I have Selene now. Selene, who is perfect and beautiful and just told me she loves me. I should be happy. I am happy. But now I can't stop thinking about Bianca and Luna, and how I still have feelings for them. What kind of person does that make me? Am I an asshole? Is this normal? Should I be feeling guilty?

Because I do feel guilty. But I also can't make these feelings just disappear.

Shit. I have no idea what to do.

I think... I think I need to talk to Selene about this. Right? That's what you're supposed to do in a relationship, right? Be honest? Communicate?

Except how the fuck do I even start that conversation? "Hey Selene, I love you, but also I think I might love your sister, and Luna too. That cool?"

Yeah, that'll go over great.

Okay. Enough. I need to focus. I'll figure this out later. One crisis at a time.

I spend the rest of class trying desperately to pay attention and failing miserably. My mind keeps jumping between replaying the library session with Selene in vivid detail and spiraling into anxiety about what I'm going to do about Bianca.

I bolt out of my seat the moment class is dismissed, practically sprinting toward the door.

And then I see her.

Bianca's waiting for me outside the classroom. Leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, her teal eyes locked on me the moment I step through the door.

And she looks pissed.

Like, really pissed.

I'm instantly worried. Something's wrong.

I practically sprint up to her, my earlier internal crisis completely forgotten in my concern. "Hey, you okay? What happened?"

Her frown deepens, and she doesn't say anything. Instead, she just turns and starts walking toward my next class without even checking if I'm following.

Wait, what? Is she... Is Bianca mad at me?

I quickly catch up to her, walking beside her as she maintains this angry, determined stride. "Bianca? Seriously, what's wrong? Did I do something?"

Still silent. She just walks faster.

"Hey." I gently grab her arm, my concern now mixing with genuine fear. "Come on, talk to me. You're freaking me out."

She finally stops, turning to glare down at me. Her teal eyes bore into mine, and I can see so many emotions swirling in them. Anger, hurt, something that might be betrayal.

She's quiet for a moment, her jaw tight, and then she just comes out with it.

"Did you kiss Selene?"