The Quite Ridge

Chapter 12- Sadie

I felt it before I saw it.

That shift again. Not the same as yesterday. Quieter. But still there.

I glanced up without meaning to, my eyes catching on him across the yard for half a second before I looked away. That was enough.

Maddie was still talking beside me, saying something about the schedule for tomorrow, but I only caught parts of it. Because I was suddenly too aware of where he was. Not close. Not near me. Just there. And somehow—

that felt like more than it should have.

I kept my attention on Maddie, nodding at the right times, saying what I needed to, keeping everything normal on the outside. But it didn’t feel the same. Not like earlier. Not like this morning. This was different.

Not fear.

Not that sharp edge from yesterday or last night.

Something else.

Something quieter.

Something that didn’t make sense.

I told myself it didn’t matter. That it was nothing. Just the end of the day. Just people heading out. Just him being there.

But when I finally looked up again—

I caught him looking.

Just for a second.

Then he looked away.

Like it didn’t mean anything.

That should’ve made it easier.

It didn’t.

Because now—

I knew I wasn’t the only one noticing it.