ALLISON

🥀 CHAPTER 5🥀

The rest of lunch went by faster than I expected.

Which was strange.

Because usually, lunch feels like forever—especially when you’re stuck listening to Matilda argue about something pointless or Hilda trying to act like the voice of reason.

But today?

It didn’t drag.

And I hate that I know why.

I packed my tray and stood up, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

“I have class,” I announced.

“No you don’t,” Hilda said without looking up from her phone.

I paused.

“What?”

“You have free period next,” she added casually.

Traitor!

I narrowed my eyes at her. “And you didn’t think to mention that earlier?”

She smiled innocently. “You looked busy.”

I followed her gaze.

Straight to Kaiden.

I scoffed.

“I wasn’t busy.”

“Sure,” Matilda muttered.

I ignored them and turned to leave.

“Running away?” Kaiden’s voice came from behind me.

I stopped.

Slowly turned.

“I don’t run,” I said simply.

“Then stay,” he replied, resting back in his chair.

Like it was that easy.

Like I had nothing better to do.

Well, you do have nothing better to do now.

Shut up!

I stared at him for a second… then sighed and dropped my bag back on the chair.

“Five minutes,” I said, pointing at him.

“Don’t get used to it.”

Ryker grinned. “She came back. I like this girl.”

“Don’t,” I said flatly.

Finn chuckled under his breath.

Kaiden didn’t say anything.

But that small smirk?

Still there.

Annoying.

Not!

“Since you’re not running,” he said, “what do you actually do during free periods?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“So I know where not to go.”

I stared at him.

Then nodded slowly.

“Good answer.”

Hilda snorted.

Matilda shook her head. “You two are something else.”

I leaned back slightly. “And you talk too much.”

“Rude,” she muttered.

“So?” Kaiden pressed. “Answer the question.”

I crossed my arms. “I like quiet places.”

“That explains a lot.”

“Explains what?”

“You.”

I frowned.

“You’re starting to sound like you know me.”

“I’m trying to,” he said simply.

There it was again.

That tone. Not playful. Not teasing.

Just… honest.

I looked away first, trying not to feel affected by it.

“Try harder,” I muttered.

“I plan to.”

Before I could respond, the bell rang.

Finally!

I grabbed my bag immediately.

“Time’s up,” I said.

“See you around, Allison,” Ryker called.

“Maybe,” I replied without looking back.

“Definitely,” Kaiden added.

I didn’t respond.

But I heard it.

And somehow…

It stayed.

The hallway was packed as usual.

Students rushing, laughing, pushing past each other like their lives depended on it.

I walked beside Hilda and Matilda, both unusually quiet.

Suspicious.

“What?” I asked.

They exchanged a look.

Then—

“You like him,” Hilda said.

I stopped walking.

“What?” I blinked.

“You like Kaiden,” Matilda repeated.

I laughed.

Actually laughed.

“You guys are funny.”

“We’re serious,” Hilda said.

“I met him yesterday.”

“And today,” Matilda added.

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“The way you look at him does.”

I scoffed. “I don’t look at him.”

“You do.”

“I don’t.”

“You literally just did.”

I opened my mouth—

Then closed it.

Annoying.

“You two need help,” I muttered and continued walking.

They followed, still whispering to themselves.

Traitors!

They can't just conclude that I like him just like that, Kaiden is drama and trouble combined... which I don't need for my senior year.

I didn’t go to class... Cos I'm still on free period.

Of course.

Instead, I found myself walking up the stairs.

To the rooftop.

My steps slowed as I reached the door.

For a second, I hesitated.

Will he be there?

Oh my God, what am I thinking?

Then pushed it open.

The cool breeze hit my face immediately.

Calm.

Quiet.

Perfect.

I stepped out fully—

And froze.

He was there.

Again.

Kaiden.

Sitting in the same spot as yesterday.

Like he belonged there.

Like this was his place too.

He looked up.

And smiled.

“You again,” he said.

I crossed my arms. “Don’t get used to it.”

“Too late.”

I rolled my eyes and walked further in, dropping my bag beside my usual spot.

“Do you just skip classes now?” he asked.

“Do you?” I shot back.

He chuckled softly. “Touché.”

"Besides I'm still on free period, remember?... And my next class is drama, Mrs Ben knows I can't act to save my life so she gave up on me a long time" I explained as I sat down, keeping a bit of distance between us.

Not too close.

Not too far.

Silence fell.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Just… quiet.

“So,” he said after a while. “This is your ‘quiet place’?”

I glanced at him. “Don’t ruin it.”

“I won’t.”

“You already are.”

He smirked. “You stayed.”

I paused.

He wasn’t wrong.

“I like the view,” I said quickly.

“Sure you do.”

I ignored that.

He leaned back, looking up at the sky.

“For someone who says she doesn’t run, you avoid people a lot.”

“I don’t avoid people.”

“You left lunch.”

“I had nothing to say.”

“You always have something to say.”

I turned to him. “You’re very observant.”

“I have to be.”

“Why?”

He hesitated.

Then shrugged. “Habit.”

I studied him for a moment.

There was more behind that answer.

But I didn’t push.

Not my business.

“So…” he said, turning to me. “What’s your deal?”

I blinked. “My deal?”

“Yeah. You’re not like the others.”

“Others?”

“The girls here.”

I scoffed. “That’s your problem. You compare too much.”

“Or maybe you stand out.”

I held his gaze for a second.

Then shook my head.

“You talk too much.”

“And you deflect too much.”

I smirked slightly.

“Maybe.”

He smiled again.

And this time—

I didn’t look away immediately.

I like his smile!

*********

Back downstairs, across the building—

Hailey stood by her locker, her arms folded as she watched the hallway.

Students passed by, laughing, talking, moving like nothing mattered.

But her attention?

Fixed.

“Are you going to stand here all day or actually go to class?” Pinkie asked, leaning against the locker beside her.

Hailey didn’t answer immediately.

Her eyes followed a familiar figure walking down the hall.

Kaiden.

He walked casually, hands in his pockets, Finn and Ryker beside him like always.

Nothing new.

Nothing different.

Except—

“Isn’t that…” Ashley trailed off.

Hailey’s gaze shifted slightly.

And there she was.

Allison.

Walking a few steps behind, with Hilda and Matilda beside her.

Not together.

Not exactly.

But close enough.

Too close.

Hailey’s expression didn’t change.

But the air around her did.

Colder.

Sharper.

“So it’s true,” Sarah said quietly. “They were at the same table during lunch.”

“I saw it too,” Grace added. “Everyone did.”

Pinkie glanced at Hailey carefully. “You okay?”

Hailey let out a soft, humorless laugh.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

No one answered.

Because the answer was obvious.

Her eyes returned to Kaiden—

Just in time to see him glance back.

Not at her.

At Allison.

It was quick.

Subtle.

But Hailey caught it.

And that was enough.

Her jaw tightened slightly.

“That’s new,” Ashley muttered.

Hailey’s lips curved into a small smile.

Not a happy one.

“Relax,” she said calmly. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothing?” Pinkie raised a brow. “He hasn’t looked at anyone like that since—”

“Since me?” Hailey cut in smoothly.

Silence.

She pushed herself off the locker.

“He’s bored,” she continued, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. “That’s all.”

“And Allison?” Sarah asked.

Hailey glanced in Allison’s direction again.

This time—

Longer.

More calculated.

“She doesn’t know what she’s doing yet,” she said lightly.

Pinkie frowned. “And when she does?”

Hailey’s smile didn’t fade.

“We’ll see.”

She turned and started walking down the hallway, her friends quickly falling in step behind her.

“But one thing is certain…” she added softly.

Her voice calm.

Controlled.

“People should learn to stay in their place.”

Meanwhile—

“Allison!” Hilda called, pulling me back from my thoughts.

“What?” I responded, slightly distracted.

“You zoned out again.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did,” Matilda said.

I sighed. “I was just thinking.”

“About?” Hilda pressed.

I hesitated for a second.

Then shrugged.

“Nothing important.”

But that wasn’t entirely true.

Because for some reason—

My mind kept drifting back to him.

And I didn’t like that.

Not one bit.

And I can feel it. This year is going to be different cos I can see Kaiden in it... I hope it doesn't come with lots of drama cos I can't act for the life of me.