Never Just Friends

Elordi’s Realization

Elordi was halfway up the stairs when he nearly bumped into Ciara coming down. Her expression was a mix of frustration and disappointment, her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t even acknowledge him at first, just muttering something under her breath.

“Hey, have you seen Finn and Hanna?” Elordi asked, his tone a bit sharper than usual.

Ciara whipped her head around, eyes narrowing as she glared at him. “Don’t you talk to me, you loser,” she spat, venom dripping from every word. Without waiting for a response, she pushed past him and stalked down the hallway.

Elordi stood there for a moment, watching her make a beeline for Jacob, her demeanor flipping in an instant. She smiled sweetly at Jacob, slipping effortlessly into her usual charming facade. It was like a switch had flipped, and Elordi couldn’t help but shake his head at the sight.

Thank God, Hanna isn’t like her, he thought, relief washing over him as he continued his way down the hallway. He didn’t know what Finn saw in Ciara, but it didn’t matter right now.

The noise from the party downstairs faded as he moved deeper into the hallway, replaced by a strange quiet. As Elordi approached the closed doors, something caught his attention—a faint whisper coming from behind one of them. He paused, his ears straining to make out the voices.

“This isn’t part of our deal,” he heard, muffled but unmistakable. It was her. Hanna’s voice, low but tense.

Elordi frowned, leaning closer to the door. What deal? What were they talking about?

Elordi’s heart pounded as he heard Hanna’s voice, her voice trembling slightly. “I don’t want to.”

A sinking feeling settled in Elordi’s gut, his pulse quickening. He couldn’t stand there and listen any longer. Without thinking, he reached for the door and pushed it open.