Then, from the distance, a voice broke through.
"Austin?!"
They both turned.
Mary.
She stood at the end of the corridor, her expression shifting from confusion… to anger… to something sharper when she noticed how close they were standing.
Her eyes dropped to me, narrowing.
"Oh," she scoffed, crossing her arms. "So this is what you've been doing?"
I sighed under her breath. "Not this again…"
Mary walked closer, heels clicking against the floor, her gaze locked on Austin. "You just disappear, and I find you here… with her?"
Austin didn't even hesitate. "Yeah. Problem?"
Mary blinked, clearly not expecting that.
"Austin," she said, softer now, trying a different approach, "you know this isn't serious. You're just… distracted."
I rolled my eyes. "Girl, give it a rest—"
"Stay out of this," Mary snapped.
"No," Austin cut in firmly. "You don't get to talk to her like that."
Mary's expression cracked slightly.
That's when i stepped forward, folding my arms. "Didn't you already embarrass yourself enough the last time? Or do you need a reminder?"
Mary's face flushed. "You think you've won or something?"
I tilted my head. "I don't think. I know."
Mary scoffed, but her confidence was slipping. Still, she made one last attempt—stepping closer to Austin, reaching for his arm.
"Austin… come on. You know you belong with me."
Before she could touch him, Austin stepped back.
Then, without warning, he turned to me, gently cupped her face—
—and kissed her again.
This time, it wasn't rushed.
It was deliberate.
Clear.
Final.
When he pulled away, he didn't even look at Mary.
"You should really start taking hints," he said flatly.
Mary stood there, stunned, her hands trembling slightly at her sides. For once, she had nothing to say.
I let out a slow breath, then glanced at Austin. "Well… that was dramatic."
He smirked. "Had to make it clear."
She nudged him lightly. "You're crazy."
"Maybe," he shrugged, eyes softening as he looked at her, "but at least I know what I want."
I felt my cheeks heat up, but this time… I didn't look away.
"Good," I said quietly. "Because I don't like repeating myself either."
Austin chuckled softly.
Then, without another word, he took my hand—
As they walked off together, leaving Mary behind, one thing was certain—
This wasn't just drama anymore.
This was war.
And I wasn't planning on losing.
"You're quiet," he said, glancing down at me.
"I'm thinking," I replied.
"About?"
I smirked a little. "About how dramatic you are."
He let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, so now I'm the dramatic one?"
"You literally kissed me in front of her just to prove a point."
He stopped walking.
Before I could react, he gently pulled me back toward him, his hand sliding to my waist again.
"Not just to prove a point," he said, his voice low. "I wanted to."
My breath caught.
For a moment, everything else faded—the hallway, the noise, the tension… it was just him and me again.
"And now?" I asked quietly.
His eyes dropped to my lips, then back up. "Still do."
My heart skipped.
But before anything else could happen—
"AUSTIN!"
We both turned, already knowing who it was.
Mary.
Again.
I sighed, muttering under my breath, "Does she ever give up?"
She marched toward us, looking even more furious than before. "Are you serious right now? You just walk off like nothing happened?!"
Austin didn't even look bothered. "Because nothing did happen. Not for me."
Her face twisted. "You don't mean that."
I stepped forward this time, not even trying to hide my irritation. "He literally couldn't be clearer if he tried."
Mary shot me a glare. "You really think this is going to last?"
I shrugged. "Long enough for you to move on, hopefully."
That did it.
Mary lunged forward like she was about to shove me—but this time, I didn't hesitate.
I grabbed her wrist and shoved her back.
"Don't," I warned, my voice sharp.
She stumbled slightly, clearly not expecting me to push back. "You just made a big mistake."
I let out a small laugh. "No, the mistake would be thinking I'd let you keep doing this."
Austin stepped beside me, his presence solid and protective. "You need to stop, Mary."
Her eyes flickered between us, realizing she wasn't getting anywhere.
But she wasn't done.
"You'll regret this," she snapped, pointing at me. "He'll get bored. He always does."
That stung a little—but I refused to show it.
Instead, I stepped closer to Austin, slipping my hand into his again.
"Then I guess we'll deal with that when it happens," I said calmly.
Austin looked down at me, something unreadable flashing in his eyes… then he smirked.
"Not happening," he said.
And just like that, he pulled me closer and kissed me again—right in front of her.
I didn't even hesitate this time.
I kissed him back.
Mary let out a frustrated scream. "You're unbelievable!"
Neither of us pulled away immediately.
And honestly?
I didn't care.
When we finally broke apart, I leaned slightly into him, still holding onto his shirt.
"Now," I said, glancing at Mary, "are you done?"
She looked like she wanted to say more—but nothing came out.
With one last glare, she turned and stormed off.
Silence followed.
Then I exhaled slowly. "She's exhausting."
Austin laughed softly. "You handled that pretty well."
I raised an eyebrow. "Pretty well? I carried that."
He grinned. "Yeah… you did."
There was a pause, softer this time.
"Hey," he said.
"Hmm?"
"You okay? For real."
I looked at him for a second… then nodded. "Yeah. I am."
And surprisingly, I meant it.
Because standing here, with his hand still holding mine, his eyes still on me like I actually mattered—
I didn't feel scared anymore.
I felt ready.
"Come on," he said, squeezing my hand gently. "I'm not letting you walk alone again."
I smirked. "What, you're my bodyguard now?"
"Something like that."
I nudged him as we started walking. "You're annoying."
"And you like it."
I rolled my eyes—but I couldn't stop the small smile forming on my lips.
Maybe things weren't simple.
Maybe there was still drama waiting for us.
But one thing was clear—
I wasn't backing down.
And neither was he.