~~ Chapter Five ~~
944 Words
Janessa found Riley exactly where she expected her to be, curled into a corner seat at the cafe near the library, earbuds half in, half out, scrolling through her phone.
Riley looked up and immediately frowned. “Okay. Something is very wrong.”
Janessa dropped into the chair across from her. “I’m tired.”
“That’s not tired,” Riley said. “That’s heartbreak mixed with rage.”
Janessa huffed a weak laugh. “You always exaggerate.”
Riley slid her drink toward her. “Talk. Before you explode on an innocent wall.”
Janessa stared at the table for a long moment, then everything spilled out.
“The project failed. Completely,” she said. “And I know group work is messy, but this—this felt like betrayal. I trusted Enzo to handle things, and he didn’t. Or wouldn’t. Or couldn’t. I don’t even know anymore.”
Riley listened quietly, eyes never leaving Janessa’s face.
“He keeps parts of himself locked away,” Janessa continued. “I feel like I’m standing at a door he refuses to open, but he still wants me to wait outside patiently.”
Riley leaned back. “That’s not fair to you.”
“I know,” Janessa said, voice cracking. “And I hate that I care this much. I hate that failing something academic hurts less than realizing someone might not choose you the way you choose them.”
Riley reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “You didn’t ask for too much. You asked for clarity.”
Janessa swallowed. “What if I scared him?”
“Then he needs to grow,” Riley said firmly. “Not you shrink.”
Janessa let out a slow breath, tension easing from her shoulders.
“I don’t want drama,” she said. “I just want peace.”
Riley smiled softly. “Peace doesn’t come from silence. It comes from truth.”
Janessa nodded.
For the first time since walking out of that classroom, she felt grounded again, like she had somewhere solid to stand.
She didn’t know it yet, but while she was choosing honesty, Enzo was being pulled back toward secrets.
And those two paths were quietly on a collision course.Janessa packed her notebook quickly, sliding it into her bag as soon as the lecturer dismissed the class. She didn’t look around. She didn’t need to. She could feel eyes on her lately, questions that weren’t being asked out loud.
She stepped into the hallway and nearly collided with Winter.
“Oh. Janessa,” Winter said, blocking her path with a polite smile. “Do you have a minute?”
Janessa adjusted her bag on her shoulder. “Not really.”
“It won’t take long,” Winter insisted, lowering her voice. “I just think we should clear the air.”
Janessa exhaled slowly. “There is no air to clear. The project is done. So is the drama.”
Winter’s smile tightened. “You say that, but you’ve been avoiding us.”
Us.
“I’m allowed to choose peace,” Janessa replied.
Winter crossed her arms. “You walked out. You embarrassed Enzo. And somehow I’m the villain?”
Janessa’s eyes flashed. “Don’t rewrite what happened.”
Before Winter could respond, a familiar voice cut in.
“Hey.”
Enzo stood a few steps away, backpack slung over one shoulder. He looked between them, instantly sensing the tension.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
Winter turned to him immediately. “I was just trying to talk to Janessa. She won’t even hear me out.”
Janessa laughed, sharp and incredulous. “Hear you out about what, Winter? About how everything was somehow my fault?”
Enzo frowned. “Janessa....”
She raised a hand. “No. I’m not doing this again.”
Winter stepped closer. “You’re always so defensive. Maybe if you listened......”
“And maybe if you stopped inserting yourself where you don’t belong,” Janessa snapped, “we wouldn’t be standing here.”
A few students slowed as they passed, curiosity written all over their faces.
Enzo shifted uncomfortably. “Can we not do this in the hallway?”
Janessa looked at him then really looked at him. At how he didn’t choose a side. How he never did.
“That’s the problem,” she said quietly. “You never do.”
She turned to leave.
“Janessa, wait,” Enzo said, reaching out.
She stepped back. “I’m tired. I’m tired of explaining myself. I’m tired of being the only one who sees what’s wrong.”
Her gaze flicked to Winter, cold, final.
“You won,” Janessa said. “Enjoy it.”
Then she walked away, heart pounding, refusing to look back.
Winter watched her go, expression unreadable.
Enzo stood frozen in the hallway, the weight of the moment pressing in.
For the second time, Janessa chose distance.
And this time, it felt permanent.
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