Chapter Nine: Trouble in Paradise

Leo could feel the shift in the air the moment he stepped into the cafeteria. The buzz of conversation felt sharper, the stares lingering just a little longer. Something was up.

He spotted Adrian sitting at their usual table, one leg crossed over the other, scrolling through his phone like he couldn't care less about the world around him. But even from a distance, Leo could see the tension in his posture—his free hand tapping an irregular rhythm against the tabletop.

"Okay, what's going on?" Leo asked as he slid into the seat across from him.

Adrian glanced up, his smirk firmly in place, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Good morning to you, too, darling."

"Don't 'darling' me," Leo said, crossing his arms. "You look like someone kicked your cat. Spill."

Adrian rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "If you must know, there's been… a little drama."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Drama? What kind of drama?"

Before Adrian could respond, a loud laugh drew Leo's attention to a nearby table where Kai and his friends were gathered. They were huddled around Kai's phone, exchanging smug looks and whispering too loudly to be discreet.

"Let me guess," Leo said, nodding toward Kai's table. "It has something to do with him."

Adrian's jaw tightened, the easygoing mask slipping for a split second before he shrugged. "He's being his usual charming self."

Leo frowned, but before he could press further, his own phone buzzed. Curious, he unlocked it and froze.

There, plastered across his screen, was a photo of him and Adrian at the park over the weekend. Adrian's arm was slung around his shoulders, their faces closer than Leo remembered. The caption read: "Westwood's favorite power couple? Or just another Kane scam?"

"Seriously?" Leo muttered, scrolling through the dozens of comments already piling up. Some were supportive, but most ranged from curious to outright cruel.

"I told you," Adrian said, his voice flat. "Drama."

Leo looked up at him, his stomach twisting. "How did they even get this picture?"

Adrian shrugged, but his expression was tight. "Does it matter? People love a good scandal, and I'm their favorite villain."

"This is ridiculous," Leo said, slamming his phone onto the table. "Why can't they just mind their own business?"

"Because where's the fun in that?" Adrian replied with a bitter laugh.

Leo opened his mouth to argue but stopped when he noticed the look on Adrian's face. For all his bravado, Adrian looked… tired. Like he'd been through this kind of thing too many times before.

"Hey," Leo said, his voice softening. "Are you okay?"

Adrian blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because people are being jerks," Leo said simply. "And I know you act like it doesn't bother you, but…"

Adrian's smirk returned, but it was weaker now. "You're adorable when you're worried about me."

"Adrian," Leo pressed, refusing to let him deflect.

For a moment, Adrian just stared at him, his green eyes unreadable. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not the first time something like this has happened. Probably won't be the last. You get used to it."

"You shouldn't have to," Leo said firmly. "None of this is fair."

Adrian tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "You really are a knight in shining armor, aren't you?"

Leo rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the heat rising to his cheeks.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of whispers and stares. By the time the final bell rang, Leo was more than ready to go home and forget the entire thing. But as he approached his locker, he found Adrian waiting for him, leaning casually against the wall.

"Thought you might want some company," Adrian said with a grin.

Leo sighed, pulling his books from his locker. "Thanks, but I'm fine."

"Are you, though?" Adrian asked, his tone teasing but his eyes sharp. "You've been frowning all day."

"Can you blame me?" Leo shot back. "Everyone's acting like we're some kind of reality show."

Adrian chuckled. "Welcome to my world."

Leo shut his locker with a sigh, turning to face him. "How do you deal with it? All the rumors, the stares… it's exhausting."

Adrian's grin faltered, replaced by something softer. "You learn to let it roll off your back. People are going to talk no matter what you do, so you might as well give them something worth talking about."

Leo shook his head. "I don't know how you do it."

Adrian's smirk returned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's a talent."

They walked out of the building together, the cool afternoon air a welcome relief from the stifling halls.

"So," Adrian said after a moment, "what's the plan? Do we keep up the act or call it quits?"

Leo hesitated, his mind flashing back to the photo, the comments, the whispers. He hated the attention, but the thought of ending their arrangement left an unexpected ache in his chest.

"We keep going," Leo said finally.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? You seemed pretty miserable today."

Leo met his gaze, determination shining in his eyes. "I'm not letting Kai—or anyone else—win. If they want a show, we'll give them one."

Adrian's smirk widened into a genuine smile. "Now that's the spirit. I knew there was a badass hiding under all that awkwardness."

Leo rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stop the small smile tugging at his lips.

"Come on, new kid," Adrian said, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "Let's go give them something to talk about."

As they walked off together, Leo couldn't help but feel like he'd just crossed a line he couldn't uncross. But for better or worse, he knew one thing: with Adrian Kane by his side, life was anything but boring.