Chapter:4 Distractions

Leo's POV

Days passed, but that night’s conversation still echoed in Leo’s mind.

Every time Miguel entered the classroom, Leo’s chest tightened in a way he didn’t like. It wasn’t the same anymore. The air that once felt warm now felt heavy.

He used to look forward to Miguel’s class—the way he explained things, the little jokes he made, how he could turn even a dull topic into something fascinating. But lately, Leo found his attention slipping. He’d sit by the window, chin resting on his palm, eyes drifting to the sky outside.

It’s better this way, he told himself. Just stop thinking about him.

He tried. He really did.

But sometimes, when Miguel’s voice softened while explaining something, Leo’s heart would still betray him—fluttering for a moment before he forced his eyes back to the window.

“Everyone,” Miguel’s voice broke the quiet that day, “we’ll be doing a group project for the midterm assessment. Each group will present their findings in front of the class two weeks from now.”

A faint murmur spread through the room. Group projects meant teamwork—and teamwork meant socializing. Leo’s stomach sank. He didn’t have close friends in this class. He barely talked to anyone except for polite hellos and borrowed pens.

Miguel continued, “You can form your own groups of four to five. Choose your members today and submit the list before you leave.”

The class immediately turned chaotic. Students began calling names, forming clusters.

Leo sat there quietly, pretending to check his notebook. He could already feel that familiar awkwardness creeping in.

Maybe I should just do it alone.

But before he could decide, his favorite teacher, Ma’am Rina—the only one he was actually comfortable talking to—walked past his desk. She noticed the blank look on his face and smiled softly.

“Leo, you should join a group. It’ll be good experience for you.”

He sighed. “I was thinking of doing it alone, ma’am.”

“Don’t isolate yourself, dear. Try working with others—it’ll help you grow.”

And just like that, he had no excuse left.

So during lunch break, Leo forced himself to approach a few classmates who looked friendly enough. His voice trembled a little when he spoke.

“Um… hey, are you guys still looking for a member?”

The three of them glanced at each other before one of them smiled. “Yeah, we still need one more. You can join us.”

Relief washed through him. “Thanks.”

That evening, the group created a chat to discuss ideas. Leo volunteered to handle most of the research part—something he could do quietly without talking much. Working on it gave him something to focus on, something other than Miguel.

He spent nights gathering data, making notes, and drafting outlines. The distraction worked. For the first time in weeks, his thoughts weren’t circling around that forbidden confession.

Whenever Miguel’s class came, Leo still showed up—but his mind stayed elsewhere. He didn’t look at Miguel anymore. He just listened quietly or stared outside. Miguel’s voice became background noise, like the ticking of a clock—familiar but no longer comforting.

And maybe… that was what moving on felt like.

Miguel's POV

He noticed. Of course, he did.

Leo, who once leaned forward eagerly during lectures, now stared outside, lost in thought. The boy who used to smile when answering questions now barely raised his head.

Miguel told himself it was for the best—that distance would help Leo forget, that it was his responsibility to keep things professional. But something about the change unsettled him.

During attendance, when Leo’s name came up, he’d look up instinctively—only to see him sitting quietly, eyes fixed on the window.

Miguel exhaled softly, resting a hand against his notes.

You did the right thing, he reminded himself. You had to draw the line.

But still… a small, selfish part of him missed that warmth in Leo’s gaze.

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