Chapter 28
Why Do You Still Know Me This Well?
Since the rooftop…
Something changed.
Not a lot.
Not loudly.
Just… little things.
Things that shouldn't matter.
Like how he always waited an extra few seconds before leaving for class — long enough to walk beside me down the hallway.
Like how he always bought an extra chocolate bar "by mistake," and tossed it to me without looking.
Like how he still always sat diagonally from me during group work — like his eyes had to find me even when he didn't speak.
I kept pretending not to notice.
But every time I caught him glancing…
I remembered everything.
Fatima was the worst.
"I swear, if you two fall in love again without telling me, I'll sue."
I flipped her off. "I dont love him anymore."
"Mmm. Sure you do."
It was a Sunday when the biggest shift came.
I was on the phone with my mom.
Telling her about classes, professors, the dorm.
She asked if I was eating.
Of course.
Sleeping?
I lied and said yes.
Then she asked, "Any… boys?"
I was silent for too long.
"Jay?"
Just asked, "Are you okay?"
"I don't know."
That night, I cried.
But not the kind that breaks you.
The kind that… clears you.
Like maybe, for the first time, I wasn't carrying this alone anymore.
End of Chapter 28.