Chapter:3 Wrong Feelings

Leo's POV

The week had been unbearable. Every lecture, every single minute in Miguel’s class, felt like an endless tug-of-war inside Leo’s chest. He hated how his heart reacted when Miguel smiled, how it raced whenever those calm eyes found his, how his thoughts wandered to him even when he wasn’t around.

It wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

Miguel was his teacher, not some crush to daydream about.

Leo sat at the back of the classroom, pretending to take notes while his gaze lingered on Miguel. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows, revealing faint veins along his forearms, and his voice was that steady kind that always made people listen. There was something so effortlessly gentle about him—yet so distant, like the sun that warmed you but would burn if you got too close.

“Leo?” Miguel’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Y–Yes, sir?”

Miguel smiled faintly. “Pay attention. You’ll need this for the test.”

Leo nodded quickly, cheeks burning. Great. Now he probably thinks you’re an idiot.

The rest of the day passed like a blur. Even after classes ended, Leo couldn’t focus. He tried distracting himself—music, assignments, even chatting with friends—but nothing worked. Miguel’s smile kept flashing in his head like a loop he couldn’t stop.

By the time midnight rolled around, he was still awake, staring at the ceiling. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the fan. His chest felt heavy with something he didn’t know how to name anymore.

He grabbed his phone.

His thumb hovered over Miguel’s name for a long time. Don’t do this, Leo. It’s stupid. He’s your teacher.

But before his mind could stop him, his heart already moved.

He typed,

> “Sir… can I tell you something weird?”

A few minutes passed before the screen lit up.

> “You can tell me anything, Leo. What’s wrong?”

Leo hesitated. His hands were trembling. He could still back out, say it’s nothing, laugh it off. But the words inside him had been caged too long. He needed to let them out.

> “I think… I have a crush on you.”

The message was sent.

And the moment it was, Leo felt his stomach drop.

He wanted to take it back, delete it, pretend it never happened.

Minutes crawled by. His phone stayed silent. Then finally—

> “It’s common, dear. Students often admire their teachers. But I’m already taken.”

Leo’s heart twisted. He read it again and again, each word heavier than the last. Already taken.

Of course he was. Someone like Miguel—kind, smart, beautiful—couldn’t be single.

He forced a smile at his screen as if Miguel could see it.

> “Haha… yeah, that makes sense. Sorry, sir. I won’t say weird stuff again.”

He turned off his phone and stared at the ceiling again, eyes stinging. He hated himself for expecting anything. He hated that it hurt this much for something that wasn’t supposed to happen in the first place.

When morning came, Leo pretended nothing had changed. He wore his uniform, went to class, and laughed with his friends. But every time Miguel looked at him, Leo’s chest tightened. He didn’t avoid him—but he didn’t meet his gaze either.

Miguel taught as if nothing happened. His tone, his posture, his smile—everything was the same. Too perfect. Too normal.

And maybe that was what hurt the most.

Migual's POV

He’d seen it coming. The small changes in Leo’s behavior, the stolen glances, the nervous smiles. It wasn’t the first time a student had developed a crush—but Leo was different. He wasn’t impulsive or flirtatious. He was genuine. Honest in a way that made Miguel want to protect him.

When he saw the message, he froze. For a second, he didn’t know how to respond. His chest ached in a way he couldn’t explain. He had to remind himself: You’re his teacher. You have someone. Don’t give him hope.

So he chose his words carefully—gentle, distant, responsible.

But when Leo’s final message came, cheerful and forced, Miguel’s heart sank a little.

The next morning, Miguel walked into class, acting as if everything was the same. But when his eyes met Leo’s for just a second, something in his chest twisted. Leo’s usual brightness felt dimmer. His laughter sounded a little too forced.

He wanted to say something—to tell him it was okay, that he didn’t mean to hurt him—but teachers didn’t get to say things like that.

So he just smiled and continued teaching, while silently hoping that Leo would be fine.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***