Page 42 of The Bittersweet Bond

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She knew that look all too well—the one that made her pulse quicken, half with frustration, half with something she didn’t want to name. The last time had been months ago, in a classroom, during yet another fight neither of them had been willing to back down from.

A classroom debate about World War II had quickly spiraled out of control because Evin and Bas, as usual, had opposing views.

After the lesson, when the teacher had left the room, Bas seized his chance and approached Evin.

"So? Have you calmed down yet? You always take things so damn personally." His grin was wide, unbothered and boyish—like he hadn’t just spent the last forty-five minutes getting under her skin on purpose.

“Wow. Charming,” Evin muttered, rolling her eyes.

“Excuse me?” Bas leaned in slightly, his tone still playful but tinged with provocation.

Evin couldn’t help herself. Her anger made the words spill out before she could stop them.

“Maybe you shouldn’t always be so arrogant from your side of the room.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she knew she had hit a nerve. Bas blinked briefly, and the childlike grin faded from his face. The room suddenly felt smaller as he stepped closer to her.

“Arrogant? Because I don’t share your opinion?” His voice now carried that sharp, cold tone he always used when he was hurt.

“No, arrogant because you look down at the world from your high horse. Up there, you forget what really matters down here.”

Bas moved even closer, leaning slightly over her. His hands braced on the desk, and his face was only inches from hers. “From up here, I have a damn good view,” he whispered, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Evin felt her stomach twist. That arrogance—it almost made her explode. But she couldn’t let him see how much he got under her skin. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, “Maybe you just don’t care what’s happening down here. Or maybe you’ve given up before you even tried to understand anything.”

Bas’s eyes flickered briefly, as though she had touched something deep inside him. But instead of replying, he raised an eyebrow and said softly, “Maybe I just don’t care what’s going on down here. Or maybe I’ve learned you can’t waste your time on everything while you’re busy saving the world.”

Evin couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “At least I’m trying,” she retorted, locking her gaze onto his. The classroom was slowly emptying. Only Jonas lingered nearby, enjoying the spectacle. When Ben, the last to leave, finally stepped out, Evin decided to push further. “I’d rather waste my energy than…”

“...than what?” Bas interrupted her. “Than feel nothing, like me?”

Her heart raced, but she didn’t let it show. “Yes, than feel nothing—like you, exactly.”

He straightened up and looked her over once more. “Then good luck with that. Let’s see how far it gets you.” Was this even about the classroom debate anymore? “Ugh, guys, let’s just go…” Jonas groaned from the side.

Bas turned away from her, but the tension hung in the air. Evin felt her anger boil over, overwhelming her. Her hands clenched into fists, and she had the distinct feeling her words were falling on deaf ears.

Bas turned his head back toward her, his profile looking as if it had been sculpted from marble. A fleeting smirk crossed his face.

"Yeah, you fight," he said, voice almost lazy, but his eyes held that sharpness that always made her uneasy. "But for what? Useless causes? People who don’t even care? Maybe that’s why you always lose."

Evin’s jaw tightened. Always lose.

For a split second, she wasn’t sure if he was only talking about this argument—or something else entirely. The way his gaze lingered, the slight edge in his tone, it felt like more.

Was he talking about them?

Her fingers curled around the strap of her bag. She wanted to ask, wanted to throw something back at him, but she already knew how this would go. He’d smirk, he’d pretend it didn’t mean anything, and she’d be left feeling like an idiot for even entertaining the thought. The pain cut deep into her chest, like a knife. Once again, he had managed to do it. She wanted to respond, but her throat felt suddenly dry.

Finally, she could only force out, “You know what? Screw you!” she hissed. Then she turned on her heel and stormed away, her steps quick and sharp, not looking back even once.

Did he mean to tell her that? That she endured his moods for nothing? That she wasted her energy on someone who would never change? He was right. He wouldn’t change. This clearly meant nothing to him.

Asshole.

The next day, Bas punished her with silent contempt. And the day after that. And for many more days to come.

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