Xavier gazed at Stella and Michael as he danced with Tia. He was unsettled by the way they were tracking his and Tia's every move. Stella, growing weary of the staring contest, finally decided to focus on the dance, but Michael's attention remained fixed on them. She tried several times to pull his gaze back to her, but his eyes kept drifting back with a cold, piercing look.
"Isn't that Michael and the girl I saw with you the other day?" Xavier asked.
Tia glanced at Michael and Stella. "Yeah. What about them?"
"I have a feeling that they aren't good. I don't know why."
Tia chuckled. "You don't need to tell me; I already know. Just forget about them. They aren't important."
"Yeah, you're right," Xavier said, looking into Tia's eyes as they continued to glide across the floor.
Michael couldn't take it anymore. The jealousy surging through him was so intense it was as if he'd forgotten how to dance. He accidentally stepped on Stella's foot. She bit back a scream to avoid attracting attention, though her foot throbbed with pain.
"I'm sorry about that," Michael said, his voice deceptively calm.
"You don't have to apologize. I understand it was a mistake," Stella smiled, trying to salvage the moment. "Let's just keep dancing."
Michael stopped abruptly. "I don't think I can continue. Let's sit down for a while instead."
"But Michael, we haven't been out here long at all."
"I'm tired, and I don't want to continue, alright?" Michael snapped, silencing Stella's protests.
Michael marched toward the open bar,while Stella followed in his wake like a loyal shadow. "What are you doing?" she asked, confused.
"What does it look like? I want a beer."
Stella's eyes widened. "You can't drink at a time like this!"
"Says who?"
"Me, of course!" Stella snapped back.
"I'm an adult. I can drink whenever I want."
Stella's face fell, as an evidence to her sadness. Noticing her expression, Michael gently gripped her jaw and tilted her face up. "Don't worry, I'm not going to get drunk," he assured her.
Stella sighed. "Okay, if you say so." She decided to let it go.
Michael sipped his beer, but his eyes never left Tia and Xavier. The happier Tia looked, the more his jealousy festered. So, Xavier Flynn is the new crush, he thought. What does she see in him? Without realizing it, he was already ordering another beer. All Stella could do was watch.
"Michael, isn't that enough?" she asked softly, trying not to provoke him. But he didn't bother to answer.
"Look at those two lovebirds. They think they're so perfect, smiling like idiots," he said coldly.
"Don't let them bother you. They aren't better than us," Stella said, masking her own envy. It stung that Tia had scored a date with the "Ice Prince" himself.
Michael became visibly drunk, drinking with a desperation he'd never shown before. He leaned his head against the table, trying to drown out the sight of them. Suddenly, a thought struck him. "Maybe It's time to have a little talk with them" he whispered, lifting his head. He stood up without hesitation and charged toward them. Stella's attempts to stop him were useless; she eventually sank onto a barstool, watching the inevitable drama unfold.
"Tia, what are you doing?" Michael demanded, tapping her shoulder and forcing the pair to stop.
Tia groaned. "What is it again? And also... you look drunk."
"Yeah, yeah, that's not why I'm here. Why are you with this guy?" Michael pointed a shaky finger at Xavier.
Tia tucked herself closer to Xavier's arm, sharing a brief look with him before facing Michael. "Because he is my date."
"You always ask me to every ball. So what happened this time?"
Tia sighed. "Let me ask you a question, Michael. Have you ever actually accepted when I asked you?"
"No."
"Then what's your problem?" Tia snapped. Xavier moved to intervene, but she stopped him. "Don't worry, I've got this."
Michael stepped closer. "The fact that I said no before shouldn't have stopped you from asking this time. Maybe we would have come together."
Tia scoffed. "I'm happy with my date. I don't want a drunk as a partner. I realize something now—you just loved the way I acted like an insane person for you. That isn't happening again. Focus on yourself and leave me alone."
Michael staggered toward Xavier, shifting his target. Xavier didn't flinch because he wasn't remotely intimidated.
"And you... why did you decide to show up this time?" Michael poked Xavier's chest as he spoke.
"Stop poking me, Michael. That isn't your concern."
The argument grew louder, drawing the attention of students who stopped dancing to watch the spectacle.
"You shouldn't be with her. Go find someone else," Michael muttered.
"Why do you care? Weren't you the one trying to hurt her the other day? Why does it bother you that she isn't with you?"
"I don't even know why people adore you. There's absolutely nothing special about you."
"I can see someone is jealous. I'd advise you to go home, Michael. You're drunk, and I'd hate for you to fall and ruin the ball."
Stella finally stepped in when she heard Xavier's dismissal. She couldn't let her date be further embarrassed. "Hey, don't talk to him like that," she said, grabbing Michael's arm to pull him away. "Come on, Michael. let's leave these two."
Tia burst into laughter as they retreated. "Can you believe them?"
"Wow, Is this how he usually talks to you?"
Tia nodded and began to rubbed her arm nervously. "I think we should sit. I'm tired."
Feeling strangely comfortable with Xavier, Tia began to vent. "I just hate them both. They act like they're superior to everyone, and it makes me so cranky."
Xavier smiled as she rambled. Tia was different from the others; she spoke to him like a real friend. Realizing she had been talking non-stop, Tia caught Xavier's stare and trailed off. "Am I talking too much?" she asked quietly.
"Not at all. Continue."
But Tia sighed, resting her head on the table. "All I know is they make me sick. Whenever they cross me, I'm going to give them exactly what they deserve."
Xavier chuckled. "Then you'd better be ready to play a dangerous game with them."
Tia raised her head "Well, I don't mind doing that." She paused for a second. "What am I saying? I'm already playing a dangerous game with them."
Xavier laughed, assuming she was joking, but the laughter died when he saw the look in her eyes. "Wait... you're actually serious?"
"Yeah, I am. And you know what? I'm just getting started."