The space between us

Chapter 11;Did she forget about us?

Xaviers POV

*Library, back aisle.*

I wasn’t supposed to be here.

Class ended an hour ago. I should probably be at work but I had to lie that I was sick,that wasn’t a lie though I did feel sick on the inside.Should be home. Should be anywhere but this school.

But I saw her.

Red bandana on her wrist. Walking past the gym, not toward the buses. Toward the library. Shoulders hunched like she’s trying to fold into herself.

So I followed. Not close. Not stupid. Just… kept her in sight.

She’s not supposed to be in school by this time.She hates it here. Too many people, too much noise, too many questions.or did she have a fight with David.

I tell myself I’m checking. Making sure she’s okay. Making sure she didn’t push herself too hard timing those races.

Liar.

I’m checking because she still hasn’t texted back. Hasn’t even tried to reach out. And when Stacy goes quiet,I get hurt.i wanted to reach out to her but …pride took the best of me.

I slip through the library doors when Mrs. Bennet looks away.I remember her,she usually had a warm smile whenever I came to pick up Stacy.Keep to the back shelves. History section. Nobody looks there.

And then I see her.

Table 7.That should be the Same table she told me she always picked always picks when she wants to disappear.

She’s not alone.

Someone was with her.A guy..

He’s sitting next to her. Not across. Next to. Four inches of space between them like he measured it.

I had no freaking idea who he was and what he wanted but I felt strange…

He’s got a stupid book in front of him. _Sports Psychology for Dummies_.

Stacy’s got her notebook out. Cover closed. But I can see her hand moving. Drawing dots. Small, careful dots.

He says something. I’m too far to hear.

She doesn’t look up.

My chest tightens. That’s her tell. When she shuts down, she counts. Dots, cracks in the wall, seconds. Anything to stay inside her head.

He should leave. That’s what people do when she goes quiet. They get uncomfortable and leave.

He doesn’t leave.

He opens the book. Reads one line. Makes a face. Says something else.

And then

She laughs.

Small. Quick. Like air escaping. She covers her mouth right after, like she’s shocked it came out.

My hands fist at my sides.

I haven’t heard that sound in months. Not since… not since before.

The guy hears it too. He freezes, then smiles. Big. Dimples. Like he won something.

He leans closer. Four inches becomes three.

She doesn’t move away.

He pulls something from his bag. Sets it on the table between them. Peanut butter granola bar.

She stares at it. Doesn’t touch it.

He pushes it toward her one inch with his finger. Doesn’t force it. Just leaves it there.

Peace offering.

That’s his move. I know because I used to do it too. Leave snacks, leave notes, leave space. Let her come to me.

But he’s doing it better than I did.

Because she doesn’t flinch. She just… leaves it there. Between them.

Mrs. Bennet walks past. He swipes the bar into his lap fast. Innocent face.

Stacy’s shoulders shake. Another laugh. Real this time. Not the cat-sneeze one.

I have to grip the shelf to stay standing.

She’s laughing. With him.

With _him.

*An hour later*

She starts packing up. Chairs scraping. Zippers.

He stands. Backpack on. Book in hand. Takes two steps away.

Stops.

Turns back.

I can’t hear what he says. But I see her face. She looks up. Nods. Small.

And he smiles. Crooked. Ears go red. That means he’s nervous.It’s obvious.

“Tomorrow,” he mouths. Then points at Table 7.

She nods again.

He walks off fast, like he’s embarrassed he asked.

She sits there for 30 seconds after he’s gone. Then picks up the granola bar. Puts it in her bag.

For tomorrow.

She hasn’t forgotten about me,has she?

I stay behind the shelves until Mrs. Bennet kills the lights. Until Stacy walks out, head down, but… lighter. Shoulders not as high.

I stay until the library’s empty.

Until the air still smells like her — sunscreen + old paperbacks.

He just sat there. Played a dumb game. Made her laugh by being bad at reading.

That’s new.

I’m supposed to be the one who knows how to sit in her silence. I’m supposed to be the one she lets stay.

But he found a door and I needed to stop him real quick.

Same as always.

I close my eyes. Breathe in.

She’s okay.

That should be enough.

It isn’t.

Because for the first time since we were 12, she chose someone else to sit in the quiet with her.

And I don’t know what to do with that.

So I do what I always do when I don’t know what to do.

I had to let her go for her own sake.I leave and vow never to come back.

Before she turns around. Before she sees me.

Before I have to decide if I’m her past or problem