DRAWN TO LOVE

Chapter 7-8

Tami POV

“That's all for today,” said Professor Samson.

The professor’s words barely faded when I snapped my notebook shut and shoved it into my bag. My seat scraped against the floor as I stood up, heart hammering. He was still there, seated right beside me, and for a fraction of a second, I caught a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips small, unreadable, but enough to make my pulse spike.

I didn’t meet his gaze. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I wove through the rows of desks, keeping my eyes fixed on the exit. Just as relief began to settle in, a familiar, sharp voice stopped me mid-step.

“Well, well… aren’t you in a hurry?” Brittney drawled, blocking my path with an exaggerated tilt of her head. Her perfectly manicured nails rested on her desk, eyes glinting with curiosity or mischief.

“I—I-uh, just… heading to lunch,” I stammered, trying to sidestep without looking weak.

The queen bee smiled, slow and deliberate, like she already knew more than she let on. “Lunch, huh? Well, make it quick,” she said, stepping aside just enough for her to slip past, though the smug little warning hung in the air.

Finally, I darted toward the cafeteria, weaving through the crowd, heart still racing from both encounters the smirk that wouldn’t leave her mind, and Brittney’s sharp blockade.

The cafeteria doors swung open, and I slipped inside, but my mind lagged somewhere far behind. Voices rose and fell, one sharp and familiar, calling my name. But I didn’t hear it. My steps carried me forward like I was moving underwater, eyes unfocused, thoughts knotted so tightly they drowned out the world around me.

I couldn't bring myself to believe all the drama that just unfolded.

“Hey, Tami,” said Lola tapping me on my shoulder trying to get my attention.

The light touch on my shoulder made me jolt as though struck. My breath caught, and I spun around to see my friend staring at me, concern etched in her face. Only then did the world slam back into focus, the clang of cutlery, the rush of voices, the glaring fluorescent lights. I had not heard a thing until now. For a moment, my chest tightened with the weight of being pulled so abruptly from the fog in my head.

“Girl, are you ok?” asked Lola. Have been calling you, where's your mind at?” she said again.

I only replied to her with a smile

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yes,” I answered.

We slipped into our usual corner at the back of the cafeteria, the one by the window where we could see half the quad. Lola dropped her bag onto the bench with a thud, then leaned forward.

“What do you care to eat?” she asked, They’ve got the usual greasy fries, limp pizza slices, soggy sandwiches, or burgers that look like they’ve been microwaved twice. Real five-star dining.”

Normally, the joke would’ve earned at least a chuckle, but today I only shrugged, my gaze sinking into the scratched tabletop. Her friend studied her quietly for a moment, then nudged her arm.

“Hey. Don’t worry about it. I’ll grab something for both of us. You clearly need a breather more than a fight with the lunch lady.” Lola said.

By the time the trays arrived piled with fries, chicken tenders, and two paper cups of soda the hum of the cafeteria had thickened. I poked at my food without much appetite, letting my friend do most of the talking.

That was when the doors swung open. A figure strolled in, tall and unmistakable. His laugh carried across the room as he clapped a boy on the back, his presence tugging the air tighter around her.

The fry slipped from my fingers. For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe. The past came rushing back in flashes shoved books, cruel whispers, the sting of tears I never let him see. I ducked my head quickly, as though the tabletop could hide me, hoping my friend wouldn’t notice the way my hands trembled. But beside me, the silence spoke louder than words.

But her friend had already followed her line of sight, then frowned. “Do you know him?” Lola asked.

I forced my eyes down, stabbing at a fry. “No… not really. Just thought he looked familiar.”

It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the truth either. The last thing I wanted was to drag my old scars into this cafeteria, to explain how many times that same laugh had once made my stomach drop. So I kept chewing on the soggy fry, pretending the taste hadn’t already turned to dust in my mouth.

But then his voice carried again, closer this time, and I made the mistake of glancing up. His eyes swept the cafeteria casually until they landed on me. For a split second, he froze mid-step, the easy grin slipping. Then, slowly, deliberately, he smirked.

“My stomach twisted.” He took a seat a few tables away, his gaze flickering back to me more than once, instantly surrounded by a cluster of new friends boys who looked like they’d known him forever, even if they’d just met.

A few minutes later, the doors opened again, and Brittney swept in like she owned the place. Heads turned as she passed, her hair catching the light, her heels clicking against the tile. She scanned the cafeteria once, spotted him, and her smile widened. Without hesitation, she walked straight down to where he sat, sliding easily into their circle like she owned the place.

It didn’t take long before her laugh rang out, high and bright, spilling across the room. She leaned into his shoulder as though she’d always belonged there, her hand brushing his arm, her eyes sparkling at every word he said. He told a story, his voice carrying, and Brittney threw her head back, laughing as though he were the funniest person alive.

My chest tightened. I tried to look away, but my eyes kept drifting back to him, to them. The fries on my tray had gone cold.

My friend noticed. “Don’t do that,” she whispered, voice firm but gentle. “Don’t give them space in your head. He doesn’t deserve it, and her friend tilted her chin subtly toward Brittney “She thrives on people watching.”

I swallowed hard, forcing my eyes back down to my tray. “I’m not…” I started, but the lie died on my tongue

But I risked another glance, Brittney’s gaze had shifted from him to me. Our eyes met across the cafeteria. For a second, Brittney’s smile faltered then curved sharper, smug, as though she’d caught me staring. She leaned closer to him, whispered something, and laughed again, louder this time, her hand resting possessively on his arm.

And he noticed. His gaze flicked briefly toward me, catching the way I stiffened, before turning deliberately back to Brittney. A smirk tugged at his lips, one I recognized all too well, the same one he used to wear whenever he’d gotten under her skin.

He slung his arm across the back of Brittney’s chair, leaned in close, and said something low that made Brittney squeal with laughter, tilting her head against his shoulder. All the while, his eyes slid back to me, just long enough for the message to land.

Her stomach knotted. He hadn’t just noticed her. He was performing for her..

Her friend reached across the table, squeezing her hand. “You’re here with me. Focus on that, okay?” I already do not like him and Brittney too,” She said frowning.

“Huh!!!! Why?” and you never liked Brittney either” I laughed saying.

“I just don’t like him, I know he’s the one who made you sad,” and I never liked her because of the way she picked on people she's a bully,” Lola said angrily.

“Will eventually be added to the list of her bullies,” saying it myself.

Before Lola could say anything else, the bell finally rang for our next lecture, and I almost sighed in relief.

We gathered our trays quickly, dumped the leftovers, and left the cafeteria without looking back. Outside, the fresh air hit me like a release.

We walked together until the hallway split. Her friend’s class on one side, mine on the other. “Text me after?” Lola asked.

“Yeah,” I murmured, managing a small smile before heading off. Alone again, I kept my head down, slipping into the crowd of students. The rest of the day, I made sure to move like a shadow. Never lingering, never looking back.