Chapter 15: Chapter 13: A new rival
As Ethan and Charlotte were catching up, a new student walked into the cafeteria. He was tall, with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes.
Charlotte's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the newcomer. "Wow, who's that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan followed her gaze and felt a pang of jealousy. "I don't know," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "But I'm sure he's just another pretty face."
The newcomer caught Charlotte's eye and smiled, and Ethan could see the sparks flying between them.
As the days went by, Ethan noticed that Charlotte was spending more and more time with the newcomer, whose name was Ryan.
Ethan tried to brush off the feeling of unease that was growing inside him, but he couldn't shake off the sense that he was losing Charlotte to Ryan.
One day, as Ethan was walking down the hallway, he saw Ryan and Charlotte laughing together. Ryan's arm was slung casually over Charlotte's shoulders, and Ethan felt a pang of jealousy.
He quickened his pace, trying to get away from the scene, but Ryan caught his eye and smiled. "Hey, Ethan," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I've heard a lot about you."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Oh yeah? What have you heard?"
Ryan's smile grew wider. "I've heard that you're the guy who's been pining for Charlotte for years."
Ethan's face flushed with anger, but before he could respond, Ryan turned to Charlotte and said, "Hey, want to grab lunch together?"
Charlotte smiled and nodded, and Ethan watched as they walked off together, feeling like he was losing his chance with Charlotte.