She studies me with concern. "You're one of my best students. You don’t look well. Should you go to the clinic?"
"I’m fine. I promise. I'm sorry. I just didn’t get any sleep. It won't happen again."
"If there's something going on—personal issues, family problems—you can talk to me. We can arrange accommodations if needed."
"Thank you, but I'm fine. Really."
I escape before she can press further.
I'm failing at everything. My classes. My hockey. My relationship.
I head to the coffee shop near campus. I need to study. Need to focus on something other than Declan, Bree, or that damn photo. With a Trenta iced mocha. Trenta—as in the biggest cup they have. I don’t care that it cost me ten bucks. I need it more than I need air at that moment.
I'm two chapters into my textbook when someone sits down across from me.
I don't even need to look up to know who it is.
"Cole, I swear to god, I’m so not in the mood."
"Just hear me out."
I finally look at him. He's not smiling this time. He looks almost... sympathetic.
"I know what happened," he says. "Everyone knows."
"Great. Did you come here to gloat?"
"No. I came to show you something." He pulls out his phone and turns it toward me.
I scan the thread. “So? I know. She wanted him. She got him. Good for her.”
The messages were in some goofy cheerleader group chat. I had no idea how Cole had the screenshots, and I honestly didn’t care.
"She's been telling people for weeks that you and Declan were on the rocks. My cousin is on the squad. She told me, which is why I’ve been coming around. I thought you could use a friend.”
That was bullshit, and we both knew it. He was coming around because he smelled weakness. I was the weakest animal that got left behind, and Cole was moving in for the kill.
I already felt numb. And dead.
I stare at the screenshots, feeling numb.
“I don’t care, Cole. Whatever. I’m not going to go after her and start a catfight if that’s what you and the rest of campus are hoping for.”
He leans forward. "Look, I know we didn't end well. And I know I've been kind of pushy lately. But I'm not a complete asshole. Bree Matthews is toxic. She manipulated this whole situation."
“I don't want to talk about this anymore." I gather my things. "Please stop showing up wherever I am. It's weird."
"I'm just trying to help."
"You're not helping. You're making everything worse." I stand up. "Leave me alone, Cole. I mean it this time."
I leave before he can respond.
I stumble through two more classes before going straight to the restaurant for my shift.
My shift is a blur. I smile. I take orders. I serve food. I pocket tips.
I don't think about Declan.
