I study her.
Trying to find something?—
Anything—
of the girl who used to look at me like I was a problem she hadn’t decided whether to solve or burn down.
“Something happen?” I ask quietly.
Her eyes flick to mine.
Sharp.
Guarded.
“Why?”
Because you look like you shut the door on the entire world.
Because you feel farther away right now than you did when you told me to leave you alone.
Because I can feel you slipping and I don’t know how to stop it without breaking the one boundary you asked for.
“Just asking,” I say instead.
She caps her water bottle.
Clicks it shut.
That small sound feels louder than anything else in the gym.
“I’m fine,” she says.
It’s the most untrue thing I’ve ever heard.
I nod anyway.
Because I promised.
Because I said I’d leave her alone.
Because I’m trying—really trying—not to be the guy who pushes past what she asked for.
“Good,” I say.
It tastes like ash.
She turns first.
Walks back to the line.
Doesn’t look back.
I stand there a second too long.
Kane bumps my shoulder lightly as he passes.
“Let her cook,” he mutters.
