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Chapter 12 - Chris and his faces

The lecture ended, and Taylor and Chris gathered their things, walking out of the classroom together. The sun was bright, and the campus buzzed with students heading to their next classes.

Chris glanced at her, smirking slightly. "So… survived yesterday without passing out?"

Taylor rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Very funny. I'm fine now, okay?"

Before Chris could respond, a boy from their class stepped in front of Taylor, blocking her path. He looked confident, with a charming smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Hey, Taylor, can I talk to you for a minute? Privately?"

Taylor hesitated, glancing at Chris. "Um… sure?"

Chris's eyes narrowed immediately, his jaw tightening. "Privately?" he repeated, his voice low but dangerous.

The boy ignored him, turning back to Taylor. "I just… wanted to ask if you'd like to go out sometime. Maybe dinner this weekend?"

Taylor blinked, caught off guard. "Oh… I—uh…"

Chris stepped closer, his gaze icy. "She said no."

The boy laughed nervously, holding up his hands. "Whoa, calm down. I was just asking."

Chris's glare didn't soften. "I said no. And trust me, you don't want to push her. Not when I'm around."

Taylor's cheeks flushed, both from embarrassment and from Chris standing protectively beside her. "Chris… it's fine," she murmured.

"No," he said firmly, crossing his arms. "He's making you uncomfortable. That's not fine."

The boy's confident posture faltered under Chris's intense glare. "Okay, okay… I get it. I'll leave you two alone."

Chris didn't move until the boy had walked away, keeping his eyes fixed until he was out of sight. Only then did he relax slightly, though his jaw remained tense.

Taylor let out a small breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Thanks…" she said softly, looking up at him.

"You don't have to thank me," Chris replied, his voice softer now. "Just… don't let people treat you like that."

Taylor gave him a small, grateful smile. "I won't."

As they continued walking toward the campus gate, Taylor couldn't help but notice how much safer she felt with Chris by her side — and maybe, just maybe, how much she liked it too.

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