"You're going to have to choose, Codan," Brennen growled, placing his hands on either side of Codan's head, trapping him with his body. "I'm sick of being treated like the second wheel. It's either me or Aleu."
Codan, terror blazing in his eyes, tried to weave past the older boy, to no avail. "I—I'm... I'm just helping her study, that's all!" he stammered.
"I've seen the way you look at her when she walks in the room." Brennen looked downcast for a moment, before returning his jealous gaze to the other boy. "I'm not stupid."
Codan hesitated, swallowing nervously. "There's nothing going on between us, I promise."
"How can I take your word for it?" Brennen was still angry, but for a moment he faltered, allowing Codan to slip out from his box.
"Don't you believe me?" Codan was watching him now, with distressed eyes.
"I want to, but..." Brennen trailed off, rounding on Codan. "Prove it," he hissed, stepping forward until he was standing a few inches away from the other boy. Brennen quickly tried to read the flickering emotion in Codan's eyes. Helplessness. Confusion. Then, the faintest trace of desire.
It was then that Brennen leaned forward, his heart fluttering in his chest, waiting for Codan's lips to brush against his...
Codan stood frozen for a few heartbeats, unsure of what to do. After a few heartbeats, he pushed Brennen away and buried his face in his hands. "It's all wrong... it's all wrong... wrong, wrong, wrong..." he mumbled, trying hard to keep his emotions in check.
Brennen looked shocked for a moment, before fury took control again. "I knew it," he whispered angrily, whipping around. "I should never have trusted you. Not for one second."
Codan meekly lifted his head, close to tears now. "It's not like I don't like you. But we... we could never work, and you know that."
"How can you know until you try?" came Brennen's strained reply, before he wrenched the door open, slamming it shut behind him as he left.