Don’t Look at Him

Born From Fire

Episode 2: Don’t Look at Him

Danielle wasn’t thinking about Gabriel.

At least—

That’s what she told herself.

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It should have been easy.

He was just her brother’s best friend. Someone who had always been around, always in the background, always part of the noise of her life.

Nothing more.

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But lately—

It didn’t feel like that anymore.

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The house was alive again that afternoon, filled with voices, movement, and the familiar chaos that came with a family like theirs.

Daniel and Alexander were arguing over something pointless.

Mikael was running through the hallway like he had too much energy and nowhere to put it.

Daniela sat curled up on the couch, completely unbothered, reading like the noise didn’t exist.

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And Danielle—

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Danielle was trying very hard not to look across the room.

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“You’re staring.”

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She flinched slightly.

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Daniel’s voice.

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“I’m not,” she said quickly, not even turning to look at him.

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“You are,” he replied, completely unimpressed.

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“I’m literally not.”

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Daniel stepped beside her, following her line of sight without hesitation.

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Of course.

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Gabriel.

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Leaning casually against the wall, one hand in his pocket, talking like he owned the space without even trying.

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He always looked like that.

Too relaxed.

Too confident.

Too aware.

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Daniel smirked.

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“You’ve been watching him for the last five minutes.”

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Danielle finally turned to him.

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“I was observing,” she corrected.

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“That’s worse.”

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She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

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“Why is he even here again?” she asked.

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Daniel looked at her like she was being ridiculous.

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“He’s my best friend.”

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“Unfortunately.”

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Daniel laughed. “You’ve had a problem with him since we were kids.”

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“I don’t have a problem with him,” she said.

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“You literally used to call him annoying every time he spoke.”

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“Because he was annoying.”

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“And now?”

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Danielle hesitated—

Just for a second.

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“…Still annoying.”

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Daniel raised a brow.

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“Then stop looking at him.”

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That—

She didn’t answer.

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Because she couldn’t.

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Across the room—

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Gabriel noticed.

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Of course he did.

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His eyes flickered toward her, sharp, quick—but not careless.

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Intentional.

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Like he already knew.

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Danielle felt it.

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That moment—

When you know someone is looking at you before you even confirm it.

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And still—

She looked.

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Their eyes met.

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This time—

There was no distraction.

No one in the way.

No excuse.

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Just that quiet, charged moment where neither of them moved.

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Something shifted.

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Something she didn’t understand.

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Gabriel’s lips curved slightly.

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Not a full smile.

Just enough.

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Then—

He looked away.

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Like it didn’t matter.

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Like she didn’t matter.

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And that—

That irritated her more than anything.

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“Why is he like that?” Danielle muttered.

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Daniel glanced at her. “Like what?”

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“Like he thinks he’s better than everyone.”

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Daniel shrugged. “He doesn’t think that.”

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“He acts like it.”

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“That’s just confidence.”

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“It’s annoying.”

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Daniel smirked again.

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“You’re weird.”

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“Why?”

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“Because you say you don’t care, but you notice everything he does.”

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Danielle didn’t respond.

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Because that part—

Was true.

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Later—

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The house felt too loud again.

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Too full.

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So Danielle stepped outside.

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The air was cooler.

Quieter.

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Exactly what she needed.

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“You always do that.”

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She froze.

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Her eyes closed briefly.

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Of course.

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Gabriel.

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“I didn’t run,” she said, not turning around yet.

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“Sure,” he replied.

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She turned now.

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He was closer than she expected.

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Closer than he should’ve been.

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“What do you want?” she asked.

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Gabriel tilted his head slightly, studying her.

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“Why do you always sound like you hate me?”

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Danielle crossed her arms, holding her ground.

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“Because I do.”

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A pause.

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Gabriel stepped closer.

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Slow.

Deliberate.

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“Liar.”

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Her breath caught—

Just slightly.

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“I’m not lying.”

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“Then why do you keep looking at me?”

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That—

Threw her off.

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“I don’t,” she said quickly.

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Gabriel’s gaze didn’t move.

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“You do.”

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Silence.

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Heavy.

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Real.

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Danielle held his gaze.

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“You’re imagining things.”

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Gabriel leaned in slightly.

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“Am I?”

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Her heart started racing.

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And she hated that.

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“Stay away from me,” she said.

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But this time—

Her voice wasn’t as steady.

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Gabriel noticed.

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Of course he did.

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And instead of stepping back—

He smiled slightly.

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“That’s going to be hard.”

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“Why?”

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A pause.

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Then—

He stepped back.

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Finally.

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“Because I don’t want to.”

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And just like that—

He walked away.

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Leaving her there.

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Confused.

Annoyed.

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And something worse.

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Inside—

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Daniel passed her again.

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“You good?” he asked.

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Danielle didn’t answer immediately.

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Her eyes still on the door Gabriel walked through.

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“…Yeah,” she said finally.

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But even she—

Didn’t believe it.

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She told him to stay away.

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But the truth was—

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She didn’t know if she wanted him to.

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