[CHAPTER 3]

───🦋･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.🦋───

───🦋･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.🦋───

TITLE : PLAYING THE PART

IF ELLIE HAD THOUGHT MATTHEO was unbearable before, she was sorely mistaken.

Now that their so-called relationship was officially public, he had taken it upon himself to make it as obnoxiously obvious as possible.

It started with hand-holding.

All. The. Time.

In the corridors, at breakfast, on the way to classes—Mattheo would just casually grab her hand, like it was the most natural thing in the world. And worse? He did it so effortlessly that no one even questioned it.

Ellie, however, was internally combusting.

The next thing he added to his arsenal? Casual touching.

A hand on her lower back. A nudge against her shoulder. A stupid, infuriating habit of tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear—like they were some lovesick couple in a romance novel.

And the worst part? It was working.

Lorenzo had been watching her.

It wasn't obvious, but she had caught him a few times—his gaze lingering just a second too long, his jaw tensing slightly whenever Mattheo got too close.

Which should have been a good thing.

It should have been what she wanted.

So why was she feeling so out of her depth?

The next day, Ellie had the distinct misfortune of walking into the Great Hall alone.

Usually, she and Mattheo arrived together—his idea, of course, to keep up appearances. But this morning, he had early Quidditch drills, and she had stupidly thought she'd have a moment of peace.

She was wrong.

Because the second she stepped inside, she saw Lorenzo sitting at the Slytherin table, alone.

It was the perfect opportunity.

If she was smart, she would walk over, slide into the seat beside him, and chat like old times. Maybe even drop a few casual hints that things with Mattheo weren't that serious.

But just as she was about to move, a very familiar arm draped around her shoulders.

"Miss me?"

Ellie startled, whipping her head to the side—only to find Mattheo, grinning down at her.

"What—? How are you—? You had practice!" she hissed.

"Got out early," he said smoothly. "Figured I'd walk you in—y'know, make sure everyone remembers we're madly in love."

Ellie scowled. "You are ridiculous."

But Mattheo wasn't paying attention to her anymore. His gaze had flickered toward the Slytherin table—more specifically, toward Lorenzo.

And Lorenzo was definitely looking back.

Ellie barely had time to process before Mattheo casually leaned in closer, pressing a light kiss to her temple.

Her brain short-circuited.

The touch was light—barely even there—but it sent a jolt of electricity down her spine.

And judging by the way Lorenzo immediately looked away, it had done its job.

Ellie, however, was still frozen.

Mattheo chuckled, nudging her forward. "C'mon, love. Let's eat."

Breakfast was torture.

Ellie spent the entire meal trying not to look at Lorenzo —because every time she did, she found herself second-guessing everything.

Did he actually look jealous, or was she imagining it?

Was Mattheo actually helping, or was this just making things more complicated?

And most importantly—why did her skin still feel warm where Mattheo had kissed her?

She was so distracted that she barely noticed when Mattheo leaned in, voice low.

"We've got another problem."

Ellie blinked. "What?"

He gestured subtly toward the Ravenclaw table. "See that?"

She followed his gaze—only for her stomach to drop.

Sitting there, chatting with a few friends, was none other than Emma Sterling.

Lorenzo's ex-girlfriend.

And she was definitely glancing their way.

Ellie turned back to Mattheo, voice sharp. "Why is she looking at us?"

Mattheo smirked. "Because someone told me that making Lorenzo jealous was the plan. And what better way than through a little healthy competition?"

Ellie's eyes widened in horror. "You invited her into this mess?!"

"Relax," Mattheo said, looking far too pleased with himself. "I just may have mentioned how crazy I am about my new girlfriend. Y'know, in passing."

Ellie stabbed her fork into her eggs. "I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"I do."

"You don't."

Ellie clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to throttle him.

Because, as much as she hated to admit it—Mattheo's plan might actually be working.

The rest of the day was exhausting.

Mattheo, of course, made it his mission to be as insufferable as possible—grabbing her hand between classes, pulling her into random conversations, and even helping her with her books (which was entirely unnecessary because she was perfectly capable of carrying her own things).

By the time they reached the library that evening, Ellie was done.

She slammed her books onto the table, glaring at him. "We need to set some boundaries."

Mattheo raised an eyebrow, taking the seat across from her. "Boundaries?"

"Yes," she said firmly. "Like—no more random public affection. And definitely no more unnecessary touching."

Mattheo smirked. "Unnecessary?"

Ellie felt her face heat. "You know what I mean."

"Alright, alright," Mattheo said, holding up his hands in surrender. "No more random affection. But strategic affection is still on the table."

Ellie sighed. "Fine. But only when absolutely necessary."

"Agreed."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Mattheo leaned forward, smirking. "So... when do I get to kiss you for real?"

Ellie choked.

"Mattheo!" she hissed, eyes wide.

He just laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Relax, love. Just keeping you on your toes."

Ellie scowled, but her heart was pounding.

Because for one ridiculous second...

She almost hadn't minded the idea.

And that was a problem.

───🦋･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.🦋───