Watch Me

Born From Fire

Episode 3: Watch Me

Danielle didn’t care.

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That’s what she told herself.

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Over and over.

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She didn’t care who Gabriel talked to.

She didn’t care who he looked at.

She definitely didn’t care—

Who he stood too close to.

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“Then stop staring.”

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Daniel’s voice cut through her thoughts again.

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“I’m not staring,” Danielle snapped.

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“You’re glaring.”

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She scoffed. “I’m just… observing.”

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Daniel followed her line of sight.

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Gabriel.

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Laughing.

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With another girl.

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“She’s new,” Daniel said casually. “Transferred this week.”

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Danielle didn’t respond.

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The girl laughed again, touching Gabriel’s arm lightly.

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And he didn’t move away.

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That—

Did something to her.

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Something she didn’t like.

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“Why is she touching him like that?” Danielle muttered.

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Daniel smirked. “Why do you care?”

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“I don’t.”

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“Then relax.”

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“I am relaxed.”

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“You look like you want to start a war.”

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Danielle crossed her arms tighter.

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“I just don’t like her.”

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Daniel laughed. “You don’t even know her.”

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“I don’t need to.”

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Across the room—

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Gabriel noticed again.

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Her.

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Watching.

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And this time—

He didn’t look away.

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Instead—

He leaned closer to the girl.

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Said something that made her laugh again.

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And placed his hand lightly at her waist.

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Danielle’s breath caught.

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“…He’s doing that on purpose,” she said.

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Daniel raised a brow. “Doing what?”

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Danielle didn’t answer.

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Because she knew.

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Gabriel’s eyes flickered toward her—

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Just for a second.

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And he smirked.

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That confirmed it.

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“He’s so annoying,” Danielle muttered.

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But she couldn’t look away.

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Later—

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She found him alone.

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Of course she did.

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“You’re pathetic.”

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Gabriel turned slowly.

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There it was.

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That fire in her eyes.

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“Hi to you too,” he said calmly.

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Danielle stepped closer.

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“You think you’re funny?”

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Gabriel tilted his head slightly.

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“I didn’t say anything.”

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“You don’t have to,” she snapped. “I saw you.”

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“Saw what?”

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“You know exactly what.”

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Gabriel stepped closer now.

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Closing the distance.

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“You mean me talking to someone?” he said.

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Danielle’s jaw tightened.

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“Don’t act like that’s all it was.”

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A pause.

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Gabriel studied her.

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Carefully.

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Then—

“You didn’t like it,” he said.

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Not a question.

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A statement.

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Danielle scoffed. “I don’t care.”

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Gabriel leaned in slightly.

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“Then why are you here?”

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Silence.

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Her heart raced.

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“I just came to tell you to stop being annoying.”

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Gabriel smiled slightly.

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“That’s not why you came.”

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Danielle stepped back slightly.

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“It is.”

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Gabriel’s expression shifted—

Less playful now.

More intense.

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“You’re jealous.”

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That—

Hit.

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“I’m not,” she said quickly.

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“Say it again,” he challenged.

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“I’m not jealous.”

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“Look me in the eyes and say it.”

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She did.

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“I’m not jealous.”

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A pause.

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Gabriel stepped even closer.

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“So you wouldn’t care if I kissed her?” he asked quietly.

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Everything—

Stopped.

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Danielle’s breath hitched.

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“…Do whatever you want,” she said.

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But her voice—

Wasn’t steady.

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Gabriel didn’t move.

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Didn’t look away.

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“Careful,” he said softly.

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“Why?”

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“Because you don’t mean that.”

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Silence.

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Dangerous.

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Real.

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Danielle turned quickly.

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“I’m done talking to you.”

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She walked away—

Fast.

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But not fast enough to miss it.

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His voice.

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Low.

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“Yeah,” Gabriel murmured behind her.

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“…You definitely care.”

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And that—

Was the problem.

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She said she wasn’t jealous.

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But the way her chest tightened—

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Said something completely different.

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