Chapter 5

It had to be Ethan's doing.

That ungrateful bastard.

No wonder I'd felt a stinging pain on my neck in the middle of the night.

Like something had bitten me.

I scrubbed the spot furiously.

Was he part dog or something?

Even drunk, he couldn't keep his hands to himself.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

I grabbed my jacket to cover the mark.

Then stormed off to confront Ethan.

At the corner outside campus,

I saw Ethan breaking up with Chloe.

His expression was ice-cold.

The breakup was swift and merciless.

A sudden realization hit me.

Was he targeting Zachary next?

I quickly pulled out my phone to warn him.

"Ethan's acting crazy lately. Stay away."

Zachary replied instantly: "Got it!"

Chloe was crying her eyes out.

But Ethan remained completely indifferent.

What a bastard.

Stealing the campus belle, then tossing her aside.

I had chased her for three whole months.

Gritting my teeth in frustration,

I accidentally stepped on a dry twig.

Two pairs of eyes snapped toward me.

I raised my hands. "Just passing by."

Chloe suddenly grabbed a soda bottle.

Her eyes burned with fury as she advanced.

"This is all your fault!"

"Why don't you just die?"

She swung the bottle at my head.

Ethan moved like lightning, shielding me.

Glass shattered against his forehead.

Cold liquid splashed all over me.

He groaned, gripping my shoulders.

"Are you hurt?"

"Answer me!"

I was stunned.

They betrayed me first.

Now she wanted me dead?

Rage exploded inside me.

Especially when I saw blood dripping between his fingers.

Chloe was already reaching for another bottle.

She really meant to kill me.

I snatched one first.

Smashed it at her feet.

Shards flew everywhere.

She screamed, covering her head.

Lucky for her,

she was bundled up.

Otherwise, she'd be the one in the hospital.

I grabbed for a second bottle.

Ethan caught my wrist.

"Julian, calm down."

I shook him off.

Glared at the trembling Chloe.

"Still wanna throw things?"

She ran off, sobbing.

When it came to crazy,

I never lost.

If not for Ethan always preaching

about being a law-abiding citizen,

I would've taught her a real lesson.

At the hospital,

the doctor said Ethan's cut was deep.

"Does it hurt? Will it scar?"

"Do you care if your partner has scars?"

I shook my head.

"If I like someone, it doesn't matter."

His gaze suddenly burned hotter.

"Julian, it's been so long since I've been this close to you."

"Should we get your head checked too?"

Ethan: "..."

After his tetanus shot,

I walked him home.

When I turned to leave,

he grabbed my wrist.

"Your clothes are soaked."

"Change into something dry."

Only then did I notice

my shirt clinging uncomfortably to my skin.

He handed me a white hoodie.

I headed for the bedroom to change.

But he pushed me toward the bathroom instead.

"Shower first."

Fair point.

Soda stains were stubborn.

I couldn't afford to ruin his clothes.

When I came out dressed,

Ethan was staring at his phone,

ears tinged pink.

I crept closer.

"Checking out some girl?"

The screen showed my poolside photo.

This was beyond weird.

A guy checking out another guy's swim photo?

Getting flustered over it?

"Freak!"

He yanked me over,

dug my phone from my pocket,

unlocked it effortlessly.

Deleted all my social media selfies.

That smug smirk

said he'd planned this.

"Afraid I'll steal your spotlight?"

"Afraid you'll flirt with everyone."

"Make trouble for me."

"..."

That dangerous feeling returned.

I didn't dare ask about the hickey.

Who knew what he'd do next?

But his eyes dropped to my neck.

"Don't go back to the dorm tonight."

"The bed's too small."

"Perfect for just me."

"What if I join you?"

"Ethan, say one more word like that—"

"I'll smash my head right here!"

He finally shut up.

But that look as I left

clearly said I'd be back.

Back in the dorm,

my roommate was watching porn.

I relaxed slightly.

This was how straight guys should act.

Who the hell stares at their buddy's swim photos?

Noticing me, he hurriedly closed the video.

"Thought you weren't coming back tonight."

"Does Ethan seem normal to you?"

"Says the guy who blushes at male swim photos."

"You're the weird one here."

"I'm straight as hell!"

"Who said you weren't?"

"..."

As he played games,

he suddenly asked:

"Julian, that mark on your neck."

"Ethan left it, didn't he?"

"Bullshit!"

"That mark appeared after you two slept together."

"He keeps stealing your girlfriends."

"Maybe he actually likes you?"

Still focused on his game, he asked:

"Do you like him?"

"Are you insane or am I?"