What is going on here?

What is going on here?
Carissa pointed a warning finger at Leon’s back before she loosened the towel around her body. “Do not peek, sir,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him. Then she let the towel fall, leaving her in only her underwear.

Leon had never promised to behave, and he did not start now. The moment she turned away, he looked back. He swallowed as his eyes moved over her body. He had never seen her like this before. She always hid herself in loose shirts. Now there was nothing to hide.

His eyes followed the curve of her waist, the smooth skin, the shape of her hips. One word came to mind. Perfect. He did not even try to describe everything. Just seeing her from behind already made his thoughts go places they should not.

“Do not peek, sir!” Carissa said again without turning.

“I am not looking, Car,” Leon replied, but he did not look away. He kept staring, afraid to blink.

He let out a quiet, annoyed sound when she pulled on her jeans and covered herself. He turned his face away, forcing himself to stop.

“I am done, sir,” she said.

Now she wore boyfriend jeans and a loose gray sweater. She sat at her table, quickly putting on her skincare, a little powder, and lip balm.

“Do not take too long. I am already late,” Leon said, checking the time again.

Carissa tied her hair in a quick way, grabbed her bag, and walked out. Leon let out a breath once she was gone. If she had taken any longer, he would have lost his mind.

“Ready?” Chaka asked when he saw her.

She nodded. “Yes.”

They walked out together.

“You brought your bike?” she asked, looking at the big black motorcycle.

“Yes. Traffic is bad in the morning. This is faster,” he said, handing her a helmet.

She put it on and climbed on without help.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

“Then get down,” he joked.

“Chaka!”

He laughed, then paused. “Wait. You stopped calling me big brother. Are you trying to be rude?”

Carissa pressed her lips together. “I just copied Dinne. She does not call you that.”

“Do not copy Dinne. She is trouble.”

Carissa laughed, then glanced at her window. Leon stood there, arms crossed, watching her. His eyes were sharp. He pointed at his watch, telling her she was wasting time.

“Chaka, let us go. We will be late,” she said.

He started the bike. The sudden movement made her lose balance, but he grabbed her hand and placed it around his waist.

“Hold on,” he said.

“Look at you going to school with your boyfriend!” Dinne called out when Carissa walked into class.

Carissa ignored her and sat down.

“You are early today,” Alvero said.

“She got picked up by her boy,” Dinne added.

“Who?” he asked.

“Chaka.”

“The engineering guy?” Aura asked.

“Yes, the tall and handsome one,” Dinne said.

Carissa kept her head down, focusing on her laptop.

“Engineering boys do not bathe well. You should choose me instead,” Jeonando joked.

“Chaka always smells good,” Dinne replied.

“Is he not Yuki’s ex?” Violyn asked.

“Yes,” Dinne said.

Violyn looked Carissa up and down. “So he left Yuki for her? That is a downgrade.”

Dinne and Alvero stood up immediately.

“What do you mean by that?” Dinne asked.

Violyn rolled her eyes. “Yuki is better. Am I wrong?”

“You are fucking rude,” Dinne snapped, grabbing her collar.

The class went quiet.

“Dinne, stop,” Jeonando said, pulling her back.

“Let go. You will get into trouble,” Alvero added.

Dinne let go, breathing hard.

Violyn smirked. “I thought you liked girls, Car. So you still like men?”

That was enough.

Carissa slowly lifted her head. Her face was calm, but her eyes were not.

She stood and walked to Violyn, stopping right in front of her. A small smile touched her lips, but there was no warmth in it.

“I have always been normal,” she said quietly. “I just choose carefully. Not like you. You go for anyone.”

Her tone was soft, but it stung.

“Bitch!” Violyn shouted, raising her hand.

The slap rang through the room.

Carissa’s head turned from the force. Her cheek burned where the hand landed.

“Fuck!” Dinne yelled, rushing forward and grabbing Violyn’s hair.

The class turned chaotic. Some students tried to separate them, while others just watched.

“Car, are you okay?” Alvero asked.

Her cheek was red.

Before she could answer, a voice cut through the noise.

“Morning class. What is going on here?”