NS

The following morning, Destiny reluctantly hands Sasuke her favorite romance novel. She warns him that he will probably hate it, but he quietly places it in his bag. Three days later, his behavior begins to change. He pulls out her chair before she can sit down. He guides her through crowded hallways with one hand resting against the small of her back. When the weather turns cold, he drapes his jacket around her shoulders without asking. He even starts sending her good-morning messages. Destiny finally corners Sakura in the campus café. “Sasuke is acting weird.” Sakura struggles to hide her smile. “What kind of weird?” “He opened the car door for me yesterday.” “How terrible.” “He brought me coffee this morning.” “You must be devastated.” “He called me sweetheart, Sakura!” Sakura nearly chokes on her drink. “He did what?” “He looked directly into my eyes and said, ‘Careful, sweetheart. It’s hot.’” Destiny lowers her voice. “I almost dropped the coffee.” What Destiny doesn’t know is that Sasuke has been secretly asking Naruto for the titles of every book she loves. He highlights passages, makes notes in the margins, and studies the heroes she finds attractive. Unfortunately, he also becomes much more possessive. When a classmate flirts with Destiny during a party, Sasuke appears behind her and places an arm around her waist. “She’s taken,” he says coldly. Destiny looks up at him in shock. “I am?” Sasuke’s confidence briefly falters. “You could be.” Later that night, Destiny discovers the truth when she visits his apartment and finds her favorite novels stacked beside his bed. One is open, filled with highlighted passages and handwritten notes. She likes when he remembers small details. Don’t avoid the conversation. Tell her the truth. Destiny turns around to find Sasuke standing in the doorway. “You actually read them?” “You told me to.” “That text wasn’t meant for you.” “Maybe it should’ve been.”