I don’t blame them. People fall in love. Lives expand. Priorities shift whether you’re ready or not.
And I don’t think they’ve noticed. That’s the worst part.
When people drift away and don’t even notice the pull.
Halfway through my second forkful of pasta, my phone buzzes.
I blink down at it, already bracing myself for something dull. A school notification. A group chat alert I should have muted. Maybe Sam or Aubrey finally noticed I vanished and are asking where I disappeared to.
But it’s not.
Jace Cooper:Didn’t know nerd rage could be cute.
There’s a photo attached.
My stomach drops.
It’s me.
Standing in the cafeteria, one foot forward, the other back, tray balanced in my hands, frozen mid-thought. My head is tipped slightly to the side, lips pressed together, eyes narrowed. You can practically see the indecision twisting through me, marking the moment I decided to leave instead of sitting down and pretending everything’s fine.
It’s not flattering. It’s real.
He took it without me noticing, which should really piss me off. It really should. But it doesn’t. I stare at the screen longer than I mean to, thumb hovering, pulse kicking for reasons I don’t want to unpack.
I should call him out, tell him to delete it, and ask why the hell he was watching me in the first place. Instead, I lock my phone and set it face down on the table, as if that will stop the sensation spreading through my chest.
It doesn’t.
He’s the only one who noticed I existed today, and that reality weighs more than it ought to. I pick up my phone before I can talk myself out of it and send a reply.
Lola:Stalking me now? Didn’t know you were into sad cafeteria girls with issues.
His response comes quickly, as if he was waiting.
Jace:I’m into confused nerds with an empty tray in their hand. Sue me:)
I laugh. A real, genuine one. Small and quick, but it loosens something tight behind my ribs. The sound surprises me enough that I glance around the library, half-expecting someone to tell me to keep it down.
I respond without overthinking.
Lola:This nerd is currently in the library with pasta and a sharp fork. Be warned:)
I stare at the screen after I send it, suddenly aware of what I just did. I told him where I am. Offered him an opening. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s loneliness or maybe it’s the fact that today felt too quiet and I don’t want to sit in it anymore.
His response comes in almost immediately.
Jace:Fuck. Dangerous combo. Pasta and attitude.
My lips curl up without permission.
I shake my head, set the phone down next to my book, and take another bite of pasta that suddenly tastes better than it did a minute ago.
My phone lights up again.
Jace:Are you gonna feed me or stab me?
I snort under my breath and type back.
