s followed me everywhere, filled with a mixtur

terface pinged. It was a

you do it yet? Did

n a wound. I took a deep, shak

it. I told him

ared again. The wai

ner it's over, the better. I can'

't stand thinking about the

. I remember she used to leave little notes in my locker sometimes. Make sure you

ctively writing me out of the script and replacing me with someone else.

I typed, the word

would be at practice. As I got closer, I saw him. He was shooting hoops, but his movement

I sa

tching Liam with that same shy, hopeful expression I remembered. She took a tentativ

y chance.

r a second before remembering my coldness from the day before. He j

hesitant. "Can we please

saw Chloe's shoulders slump

hampionship game is Friday night, right?" I aske

nge of subject. "Yeah. It is.

n his eyes again, and I had to fight the urge

pavement. "I... I'll still be waiting for you. After the game. By

. He was still going to

lk away, her head down.

formed in my mind. I looked

" I cal

over at me, her eyes wide. Liam t

e, the fakest smile I had ever produced.

ook of utter con

frozen in place. "Yeah! He wants to see you after the

y arm through hers like we were

gym after the game," I continued, my voice sickeni

soming, radiant hope. She looked from me to Liam, a disbelie

ed. He opened his mouth to say something, probably to deny it, but I shot h

muscle twitching in his

to Chloe, patting he

ence. I didn't look back. I just kept walking, my steps quick and determined. The system req

r felt more ho