"I couldn't believe this was the second detection, "lira said to herself. Lira was shocked, stunned and really didn't know what to say, her brain was still processing this whole love triangle chaos.
3:47 PM – School Detention Room
The crime:
Aeron "accidentally" slammed a locker near Damian's head.
Damian "accidentally" told the substitute Aeron was cheating.
(The class was playing Jeopardy. This was not necessary.)
Result:
Both got sent to detention.
I, stupidly, stayed to "tutor" Aeron.
Now it's:
Me
Aeron
Damian
One sleepy monitor who left for "snack duty"
A thunderstorm outside
AND THEN—
POOF.
Power outage.
Of course.
Of course this is how I die.
4:01 PM – Dimly Lit Chaos
Me: clicks flashlight app on phone
"I am not emotionally equipped for this."
Aeron: leans back in chair, arms crossed
"Scared of the dark?"
Damian: deadpan
"She's scared of us. And she should be."
HELLO???
The tension?? Was THICC.
They were sitting across from each other, legs manspreading like alpha wolves in a silent dominance war.
I was in the middle.
Literally and emotionally.
4:07 PM – The Verbal Explosion
Damian: "Why don't you just admit it?"
Aeron: cold glare
"Admit what?"
Damian: scoffs
"That you want her but won't do anything about it."
LIRA.EXE HAS STOPPED WORKING.
Aeron: "At least I'm not playing games with her."
Damian: "No, you're just brooding in corners like a tragic poem. What's your strategy? Stare her into submission?"
Aeron: "And you? You flirt until she can't think straight, then back off the second she actually feels something."
Me: EXPLODING INTERNALLY.
4:12 PM – Lira Snaps
"I AM RIGHT HERE!!!"
They both shut up.
I stood, fists clenched, flashlight shaking.
"You don't get to talk about me like I'm some game prize in a boys-only tournament! I have feelings! A heart! A very confused BRAIN! And ZERO energy for this alpha chest-beating contest!!!"
Silence.
Then:
Damian: "…I like when you yell."
Aeron: murmurs "Same."
ME: throws notebook at both of them
"I hate this school."
4:16 PM – The Soft Crack in Aeron
The silence stretched long.
Then Aeron stood. Quiet. Voice low.
"I don't know how to do this."
I turned.
"I didn't grow up with... whatever this is supposed to be. Feelings. Wanting something. Someone."
He looked at me like I was made of sunlight and danger.
"You make me forget how to stay numb."
My heart: please stop.
4:17 PM – Damian's Counterattack
Damian: "I knew how to feel before I met you."
He walked over, close enough to touch.
"But now I feel everything. Too much. I can't shut it off when it comes to you."
His voice dropped. "And I don't want to."
WHAT AM I. A LOVE PUNCHING BAG??
4:20 PM – Monitor Returns
"Why is everyone standing and emotionally sweating?"
Me:
"Can I go home."
Monitor: bites carrot
"No. Sit down. Work it out. And turn that flashlight off."
No thanks. I'll stay in emotional darkness where it's safer.
End of Chapter 24