A cold dread washed over me.“What did you tell him?”
“I told him it was nothing! That we’re just friends!” Her voice was desperate.“But he’s furious. He’s saying… he’s saying he’s going to talk to you.”
The bell rang, a shrill dismissal. As we filed out into the hallway, the storm broke. Jake was waiting, leaning against the lockers with two of his football buddies. The crowded hall seemed to part around them.
“Madsen,” he called out, his voice cutting through the noise.“We need to have a chat.”
Chloe grabbed my arm.“Jake, don’t.”
He ignored her, his eyes locked on me.“I’ve been hearing things. About you and my girlfriend. Spending a lot of time together.”
“We have a project,” I said, my voice sounding thin.
“Right. A project.” He took a step forward, looming over me.“Here’s the deal. You stay away from her. No more‘study sessions.’No more texts. You’re done.”
My heart was a frantic drum against my ribs. I saw students slowing down, watching. I saw the fear on Chloe’s face. And in that moment, a strange clarity washed over me. I was tired of hiding. Tired of being the secret. Tired of letting him dictate the terms.
“No,” I said.
Jake blinked, taken aback.“What did you say?”
“I said no.” The words were stronger this time.“You don’t get to tell her who she can be friends with.”
His face flushed with anger.“She’s not your friend, you loser. She feels sorry for you. You’re her charity case.”
The words were meant to eviscerate me, but they bounced off. Because I was looking past him, to the end of the hall. Maya was there, her backpack slung over one shoulder, frozen mid-step, watching the scene unfold. Our eyes met.
In her gaze, I didn’t see pity or schadenfreude. I saw a flicker of the old, fierce loyalty. The look that said,“I’ve got your back.” Even after everything.
That look gave me the last ounce of courage I needed. I turned back to Jake.
“The only one she feels sorry for is herself,” I said, my voice clear and carrying.“For being with someone who doesn’t see how amazing she is. Who just wants her to be an accessory.”
The hallway was dead silent. Jake’s fists clenched. For a terrifying second, I thought he would hit me.
But Chloe spoke first.“He’s right, Jake.”
Everyone turned to her. Tears were streaming down her face, but her chin was lifted.“It’s over. We’re over.”
She didn’t look at me. She just turned and walked away, pushing through the crowd. Jake stared after her, his rage turning to stunned humiliation. He shot me one last, venomous look before storming off in the opposite direction, his friends trailing behind him.
The spectacle was over. The crowd began to disperse, buzzing with the new gossip.
I was left standing alone in the middle of the hall, my entire social life in ruins around me. But my eyes were fixed on the spot where Maya had been. She was gone.
I had won the battle against Jake. I had, in a way, won Chloe. But as I stood there in the sudden, echoing silence, I knew with absolute certainty that I had lost the only war that truly mattered. I had publicly chosen the sun, and in its blinding light, I had finally, irrevocably, lost the moon.
Chapter 7:
The Aftermath
Victory tasted like ash. The rest of the day was a blur of whispers and sidelong glances. I was no longer invisible Leo Madsen, the nerd. I was Leo Madsen, the guy who stole the quarterback's girlfriend. The crown felt heavy and poisonous.
Chloe found me at my locker at the end of the day. Her eyes were red-rimmed but clear.
"Hey," she said softly.
"Hey. You okay?"
