Chapter 4: Distance
942 Words
The hallway at Westbridge Academy buzzed with noise.
Lockers slammed, students laughed, and conversations bounced off the tall marble walls as everyone rushed between classes. Amelia Carter walked through the crowd with her books held close to her chest, trying to focus on where she was going.
But it was impossible. Her eyes kept scanning the hallway without her permission. Looking for him. She hated that. Ever since the conversation she overheard in the gym, things had felt different. Lucas had drawn a line. A clear one. And he had promised Ethan he wouldn’t cross it.
Amelia tried to convince herself it didn’t matter.
But it did.
A lot more than she wanted to admit.
As she reached her locker, Sophie appeared beside her like a burst of energy.
“You look like you didn’t sleep,” Sophie said, leaning against the locker next to hers.
“I slept,” Amelia replied, opening her locker.
“Liar.”
Amelia sighed. “Okay, maybe I didn’t sleep much.”
“Lucas?” Sophie guessed immediately.
Amelia froze slightly.
Sophie’s eyes widened in victory. “I knew it.”
Before Amelia could respond, a familiar voice echoed down the hallway.
“Carter.”
Amelia turned. Lucas stood a few feet away with Ethan and two of the basketball players. For a split second, Amelia felt that same strange pull in her chest. Lucas looked the same as always—calm, confident, slightly intimidating.
Their eyes met.But this time…
Lucas looked away first. He turned back to his conversation with Ethan like Amelia wasn’t even there.
Like she didn’t exist. The shift was so sudden it almost felt like a slap.
Sophie noticed immediately.
“Wait… what just happened?” she whispered.
Amelia forced a shrug. “Nothing.”
But inside, irritation bubbled in her chest.
Fine.
If Lucas Knight wanted to pretend she didn’t exist…
She could do the same.
Unfortunately, the universe seemed determined to make her day worse.
As Amelia and Sophie walked toward their next class, a group of girls stood near the entrance.
At the center of them…
Vanessa Hale.
Vanessa leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, her long blonde hair perfectly styled like she had stepped out of a magazine.
When she saw Amelia approaching, her lips curved into a slow smile.
“Oh look,” Vanessa said loudly. “It’s the Carter princess.”
Her friends giggled.
Amelia stopped walking.
Sophie leaned closer. “Ignore her.” But Amelia had never been very good at ignoring things. Vanessa pushed away from the wall and walked toward her.
“I saw you at the gym yesterday,” Vanessa said casually.
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “Congratulations?”
Another round of laughter came from Vanessa’s friends.
Vanessa’s smile tightened.
“You must really enjoy watching basketball practice,” she continued.
Amelia tilted her head slightly. “Do you?”
Vanessa’s eyes flashed.
“Well,” she said smoothly, “I was visiting Lucas.”
There it was. The message beneath the words was clear. He’s mine. Amelia crossed her arms.
“Good for you.” Vanessa stepped closer, lowering her voice just enough to sound threatening.
“You should probably stay away from him.”
Sophie immediately stiffened.
Amelia didn’t move.
“Why?” she asked calmly.
Vanessa laughed softly. “Because girls like you get the wrong idea.”
Amelia blinked once.
Then she smiled.
“Girls like me?” she repeated.
Vanessa’s expression turned smug.
“Yes. Younger girls who think a guy being nice means something.”
Amelia felt the hallway grow quieter around them.
Students had started slowing down.
Watching.
Normally Amelia avoided drama.
But today…
She was tired.
Tired of Lucas pretending she didn’t exist.
Tired of Vanessa acting like she owned him.
So Amelia took a step forward until they were face-to-face.
“Let me make something clear,” Amelia said calmly.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not interested in whatever game you think we’re playing.”
Vanessa smirked. “Then why were you staring at him at the party?”
Amelia didn’t even hesitate.
“Probably the same reason you were,” she said.
A few students nearby laughed.
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
Amelia continued.
“But here’s the difference between us.”
She leaned slightly closer.
“I don’t need to warn other girls to stay away from someone.”
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed.
Amelia straightened her shoulders.
“If Lucas wants to date you, that’s his decision,” she said. “Not mine.”
Then she shrugged.
“And if he doesn’t…”
Her gaze flicked briefly toward the end of the hallway.
Lucas stood there with Ethan.
Watching.
Amelia turned back to Vanessa.
“Maybe ask yourself why.”
The hallway went completely silent. Vanessa’s face flushed slightly with anger. But before she could respond, the bell rang loudly. Students immediately started moving again.
Sophie grabbed Amelia’s arm, pulling her toward class.
“Oh my God,” Sophie whispered excitedly. “That was amazing.”
Amelia exhaled slowly. Her heart was racing now. As they walked away, she couldn’t resist one last glance behind her. Lucas was still standing there.
And this time…
He wasn’t looking away. His expression was unreadable. But something in his eyes had changed.
Something intense. Something conflicted.
For a moment, Amelia wondered if he had heard everything she said. But just like before…
Lucas forced himself to look away.
And walked down the hallway in the opposite direction.
Keeping the distance he promised Ethan.
Even though the tension between them was stronger than ever.
And Amelia had a feeling…
That distance wouldn’t last forever.
- Writer
