I wasn't following her.
Okay. Maybe I was.
But not in a creepy way. Just… curious.
I'd left my science book in the hallway earlier and went back for it. Or at least, that was the excuse I told myself as I spotted Ava walking toward the stairs.
And Damien was right there.
It didn't take long to figure out something was happening. Something big.
I stopped before they noticed me — just around the corner, hidden by the trophy case and the wall of old student council portraits. And I watched.
At first, it was just tension. Ava saying something, Damien stiff and cold. I'd seen that before.
But then he turned to her — and the look in his eyes…
Something twisted in my chest. Not jealousy exactly. Just… regret.
And then, like someone had ripped off the roof of the school and let the sky fall in, I heard him say it.
> "I like you. And I don't want to pretend I don't anymore."
I froze.
Ava smiled. The kind of smile you save for only one person.
> "I was hoping you'd say that."
And that was it.
Whatever game I thought I was in?
I had just lost.
---
I don't know how long I stood there after they left, but eventually I blinked and came back to myself.
I grabbed my science book from the floor, held it tighter than necessary, and walked the long way around to class.
My phone buzzed once.
Ezra:
> You okay? You kinda disappeared after lunch, lover boy.
I didn't reply.
Because no. I wasn't okay.
And the worst part?
I wasn't mad at Damien.
I wasn't mad at Ava either.
I was mad at myself — for letting someone matter before I knew how to keep them.
---