Grinding Side by Side

I watched Elias approach, his jaw tight, eyes flashing like a storm about to break. The way he moved made my stomach twist — like something fierce was boiling under the surface, ready to explode.

When he stepped between me and Jake, I could see the tension in his hands, clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.

"Elias," I said softly, stepping closer. But he didn't relax.

Without another word, I grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the nearest empty classroom. The hallways were packed, but the classroom was quiet, a little bubble of calm away from the noise.

As soon as the door shut behind us, Elias suddenly pinned me to the wall, his hands on either side of my head. His eyes blazed with anger, dark and fierce—like a storm ready to consume everything.

For a heartbeat, I froze, caught between fear and something else I couldn't quite name.

His voice was low, trembling with everything he wasn't saying. "You don't understand."

I swallowed and tried to meet his burning gaze. "Elias, listen to me."

But the fire in his eyes didn't flicker. Instead, it grew fiercer.

He pushed away, stepping back sharply. His breath came hard and fast.

"I can't... not like this," he snapped, voice cracking.

Before I could say anything more, he stormed toward the door and slammed it behind him.

Left alone in the quiet classroom, my heart hammered.