Focus--: Intentions
It was evening.
The campus had started to empty, shadows stretching long across the corridors.
Eric didn't plan to stop.
But Rayan did.
"Eric."
His voice came from behind.
Calm. Certain.
Eric paused.
Slowly turned.
Rayan walked closer, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable—but confident.
"I was looking for you," he said.
Eric frowned slightly. "Why?"
Rayan didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he studied him.
Carefully.
Like he was confirming something.
Then—
"I like John."
The words were simple.
Direct.
But they hit harder than expected.
Eric's expression didn't change.
"…Okay," he said flatly.
But his jaw tightened.
Rayan smiled faintly.
"I'm not saying it casually," he added. "I mean it."
Silence.
Eric crossed his arms.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Rayan stepped a little closer.
"Because," he said calmly, "you're the only one in my way."
That—
Got Eric's attention.
"In your way?" Eric repeated.
Rayan nodded slightly.
"You may not realize it," he said, "but John looks at you differently."
Eric scoffed.
"You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
Rayan's voice stayed steady.
"He listens to you. Stops for you. Even today—he left in the middle of work."
A pause.
"That's not normal."
Eric didn't reply.
Rayan tilted his head slightly.
"I don't like uncertainty," he continued. "So I'll be clear."
His eyes locked onto Eric's.
"I'm going to win him over."
Silence fell between them.
Heavy.
Challenging.
Eric's gaze hardened.
"And you're telling me this because…?"
Rayan smiled.
"Because I don't want to play blind."
A beat.
"If you're not interested, I move forward."
Another step closer.
"But if you are…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"…then I guess this becomes a competition."
Eric felt it again.
That sharp, unfamiliar tension in his chest.
Stronger this time.
Clearer.
But still—
Unnamed.
"…Do whatever you want," Eric said finally.
Cold. Dismissive.
But not convincing.
Rayan watched him for a second—
Then smiled.
"Alright."
He turned to leave—
But paused.
Just once.
"You should figure it out soon," he said without looking back.
"Before someone else does it for you."
And then he walked away.
Leaving Eric standing there—
Still.
Silent.
And more confused than ever.
End of Chapter 9