Chapter 52
720 Words
Alice’s POV
I stood at the library door, gripping the note in my hand.
Why did I even come?
Why did I read it ten times like it meant something?
I should’ve ignored it—*should’ve* ignored him.
But instead… here I was.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. It was quiet, almost too quiet. The scent of old books and polished shelves wrapped around me as I spotted him sitting at the far table—alone, of course.
He looked up the second he saw me.
Smug.
Like he *knew* I’d come.
I walked over, arms folded, face set like stone. I didn’t sit.
“Don’t think I came here to listen to whatever nonsense you wrote on that note,” I said sharply.
Lucas blinked. “Hi to you too.”
“I came here to tell you that I don’t want this anymore. No more talking. No friendship. Nothing.”
His smirk faded, just slightly.
I continued, trying to keep my voice low. “This—whatever *this* is—needs to stop. I’ve had enough, Lucas.”
He tilted his head, watching me carefully. “Why?”
“Why?” I almost laughed. “You really don’t get it? I get bullied, mocked, gossiped about—just because you decided to pull me into your spotlight. You have a hundred people around you every day. Friends, fans, *Amelia*.”
I paused, swallowing hard.
“Why me?”
He didn’t answer immediately. Just looked at me with that unreadable expression he always wore when he was actually *feeling* something.
“I didn’t ask for this,” I added, softer now. “I just wanted to survive school. Get through the day. Now everyone either hates me or thinks we’re some kind of joke.”
Silence stretched between us.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, eyes never leaving mine.
“You done?” he asked quietly.
I nodded once. Tight.
“Good,” he said, standing. “Now it’s my turn.”
Lucas’s POV
I stood slowly, keeping my voice steady even though her words were still burning in my chest.
“You think I pulled you into something, Alice?” I asked. “You think this is just some game for me?”
She didn’t respond. Her eyes were hard, arms still folded.
“You said I have a hundred people around me,” I went on. “Yeah, I do. You know what they all have in common? None of them see me. Not really. They want something. Or they want to be seen *with* me. You? You’re the only one who doesn’t care.”
“I didn’t ask to be the only one,” she snapped.
“I know,” I said, calmer now. “And I didn’t ask to like you either.”
That shut her up.
Her brows furrowed. “You don’t like me. You like teasing me. Using me.”
“I used to. Maybe,” I admitted. “But I don’t anymore.”
She stared, still frowning, confused, guarded. “Why me, Lucas?”
“Because when I’m around you, I don’t have to fake it,” I said honestly. “Because when you talk, I actually want to listen. Because you challenge me, and it drives me insane—but in the best way.”
She looked away, visibly battling with herself.
“I’m not saying it’s easy,” I added. “But I’m not letting you push me away just because you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared,” she muttered, voice shaky.
“Yes, you are,” I said, stepping closer. “And so am I.”
She looked at me then—really looked.
We stood there in the library, books watching silently, the air thick with tension and truth.
“I just want to be left alone,” she whispered.
“I just want you to stop pretending you feel nothing.”
Silence.
Her eyes met mine again—and for a brief second, I saw the wall in her eyes c***k.
“I won’t force you,” I said. “But I’m not going to pretend either. So if you really don’t want anything to do with me... say it now, and I’ll walk away.”
She didn’t say a word.
Not yet.
- Writer
