GRIFFIN rolled his eyes as his eyes fell on Felix, then back at Mal. He grabbed the garbage bag tighter in his fist.

"Great! What are you doing here?" he spoke bitterly, his eyes back to Felix's handsome face. He could feel his heart burning in jealousy as he saw the couple's hands attached together.

"I live here," Felix muttered, avoiding his burning gaze.

"My boyfriend lives here," Mal spoke, then turned to smile at her boyfriend. He smiled back anxiously.

Griffin scoffed. "He's your boyfriend now?"

Mal rolled her eyes, squeezing Felix's hand tighter. "Yes. I told you that at lunch today, remember?"

Griffin stared bitterly at the couple, suddenly aware of the jealousy once more. He only knew, for a spare second, that Felix needed to be gone so Mal could look at him that way again.

"Anyways. Me and Felix are going to get some homework done. Maybe you should too. We'll talk tomorrow." Mal informed coldly, then pulled Felix towards his apartment.

"Yeah. Homework." Griffin replied sarcastically, making Mal glare at him.

Felix put the key in the keyhole almost as quickly as he could, unlocking the door. Mal followed him inside, closing the door behind her.

"Wow. Just when I thought I couldn't get any luckier." The boy groaned as he sat on the couch. Mal smiled sympathetically, then wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

"It's okay, sunshine. If he bothers you, you only have to tell me. Okay?"

"Okay, I guess." he sighed, hugging her back.

"Anyway, where is that homework that needs to be done?"

Felix's eyes began to scan around the living room for the book. "Oh, there it is."

He stood up and walked over to the other side of the room, grabbing the book in one swift movement.

"Shall we?" she offered, stretching her hand to him. He took it with no hesitation, sitting next to her once again.

"We shall."

☂︎

That night, Mal left the apartment a little later than usual. It took Felix a longer time to understand what the assignment was about, and when he finally understood the lesson, it was around nine o'clock. Mal made sure he was in bed, asleep, and comfortable before she left.

As she closed the door behind her, she heard the sound of another door creaking open. She could see Griffin's glare despite the dark hallway.

"Did you two have sex?" he asked, making sure he spoke in a small voice so neither Felix nor Diego could hear him.

"No, we didn't! It's not your business anyway, you're not in charge of me." she sharply replied, "Good night, Griffin."

She rolled her eyes as she walked away. She suddenly felt as if she couldn't stand him anymore. How dare he? He didn't know about her sexuality either, or rather he didn't care.

She could feel so many emotions at once. Betrayal. Anger. Sadness.

And it was all because Griffin was jealous.

Or it was because he couldn't get it through his head that they weren't together anymore.

For all she knew, she felt choked. The feeling that she needed to get out of the apartment building to get a minute to herself was defeating.

She hurried out of the hallway, taking one last look at the third apartment on the other side out of curiosity and annoyance.

And to her surprise, she thought she saw the faintest light coming from the slit between the door and the wall.

As soon as she got into her car, she stopped for breath. Her mind traveled to the thought of the third apartment, and she couldn't help but wonder if the person behind the door continued to listen to them arguing with Griffin, or to her talking with Felix about their interests whatsoever.

And she could only find it creepy.

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