The Game We Play

Chapter 9: Running From Shadows

Sophia pushed through the auditorium's side door, her steps quick and purposeful—as if she had somewhere to go, and she wasn't just running away.

The air outside was crisp, with the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the pavement, but it did nothing to alleviate the heat creeping up her neck and burning at the back of her throat. She continued walking, her hands clenched at her sides, her legs moving instinctively.

She just needed some space.

The echoes of Emily's words, the laughter that followed, and the amused smirks of students who had been watching, waiting for a moment like this, all clung to her like a second skin.

She had previous experience with whispers. She tried to ignore the judgmental glances. What about this?

This was unique.

Emily had spoken aloud enough for everyone to hear. By the morning, the entire school would be discussing it.

Her stomach contorted.

It felt like they were already together.

Her breathing had calmed by the time she reached the back of the school, past the courtyard where only a few students lingered, but the knot in her chest persisted.

She took out her phone and began scrolling mindlessly, pretending to be busy—as if she weren't silently unraveling.

But even with her head down, she could hear it.

the whispers.

The stolen looks.

People leaned in close to each other, their words hushed but sharp, their gazes flickering in her direction.

"Did you hear what Emily said to her?"

"God, that was brutal."

"Imagine being her and still showing up."

She showed no reaction. He didn't acknowledge it.

What could she possibly say?

They were absolutely correct.

That was the worst part of it.

She had just come around the far side of the school, looking for a place to be alone, when she came to a halt.

Because standing there, leaning against the wall as if he had all the time in the world, was Liam Carter.

His posture was casual, hands in pockets, and his gaze was unreadable. He wasn't smiling or frowning.

I am simply watching.

Sophia's fingers wrapped around her phone.

She didn't understand what he was doing here.

She didn't want to find out.

She kept walking.

I went right past him.

But before she could finish, his voice cut her off.

"Going somewhere, Bennett?"

Her body stiffened.

He wasn't shouting, but there was something about the way he spoke—low, almost amused, as if he was waiting for a response.

She inhaled sharply while maintaining her gaze forward. "Not now, Carter."

"Not now," he repeated, as if pondering the words. "So later, then?"

Her jaw tightened.

She ought to have kept walking.

But she turned just in time to catch a flicker of knowledge in his expression.

She loathed that.

I despised the fact that he always appeared to know something she did not.

"I don't have time for this," she muttered as she adjusted the strap on her bag.

Liam clicked his tongue, c*****g his head slightly. "You always say that." Nevertheless, here we are."

Her stomach contorted. "What do you want?"

He pushed himself off the wall and moved slowly toward her. "Me?" His grin deepened, but his gaze never left hers. "I just wanted to see if you'd actually run all the way home."

Sophia exhaled out her nose. "Glad to disappoint."

"Are you?" he inquired gently.

She despised how her heart skipped.

I despised the way he could transform a simple sentence into something that made her heart race.

Her grip on the strap of her bag tightened. "If you're here to laugh, get it over with."

Liam raised his brow. "Who said I was laughing?"

Sophia sighed bitterly and shook her head. "I'm not sure, Carter." Maybe you find this funny? Is it because everything is? Because I am sure you and your friends are having a good time—"

His smirk disappeared.

Just for a moment.

Just enough time for her to notice.

Then it was back.

"Sure," he replied, his voice sluggish and indifferent. "Because my favorite way to spend an afternoon is chasing down a girl who clearly wants to disappear."

Her stomach contorted.

Because the way he said it—as if he wasn't just saying words, but carefully choosing them—made her chest tight.

She should have simply walked away.

It should have been left there.

However, her voice was quieter than she had hoped.

"I don't want to disappear."

Liam stayed still.

I didn't say anything for a while.

Then he smirked again, tilting his head. "Then stop acting like it."

Sophia took a sharp breath.

She had no reaction to that.

So, this time, she did walk away.

And he allowed her.

Sophia did not head straight home.

She went wandering.

Through town, past the café where Emily and her friends usually sat, past the small bookstore she used to adore but now rarely visits.

She eventually ended up at a gas station.

She wasn't starving.

No, not really.

But she grabbed snacks anyway—chips, candy bars, cookies—and stuffed them into her bag without even thinking about it.

She had barely gotten through the front door of her house before hearing her mother's voice.

"You're late."

Sophia's fingers gripped the plastic bag. "Rehearsal ran over."

Veronica looked up from her spot at the kitchen counter, her gaze drawn to the bag in her hand.

Her lips came together.

"You've been eating again."

Sophia let out a swallow.

She didn't answer.

She was under no obligation to.

Her mother sighed as she set down her papers. "You have to start making better decisions, Sophia. You'll be on stage. The entire school will be watching.

Yes, I know.

"You don't want to embarrass yourself, do you?"

Yes, I know.

Sophia gripped the bag tighter.

She turned, went to her room, and closed the door.

Then she sat down on her bed and opened the bag.

She did not stop to think.

There was no hesitation.

She just ate.

Sophia chose to avoid Liam the next morning.

At the very least, she tried.

But Liam Carter could find people even when they didn't want to be found.

He caught her by her locker, leaning against the metal with the same infuriating ease that he always exudes.

"Good morning, Bennett," he said.

Sophia exhaled and tightened her grip on her books. "I'm not in the mood, Carter."

Liam gave a smirk. "Good thing I didn't ask."

She turned to look at him, wary and exhausted. "What do you want?"

For a brief moment, Liam focused on her.

He shrugged and said, "Just checking to see if you're still breathing."

Sophia's pulse quickened.

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Because what was she supposed to respond to that?

Liam did not wait for an answer.

He chuckled under his breath and walked away.

That made things worse.

She was already nervous when she got to her first class.

She slid into her usual seat in the back, thankful for the brief illusion of invisibility. Noah sat beside her, thumbing through his notebook and tapping his pen rhythmically against the desk.

She did not speak.

They didn't have to.

Noah took notice of certain things.

He noticed the stiffness in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled around the edge of her textbook, and her refusal to meet his gaze.

His tapping gradually slowed.

Then—

"So, do I need to stage a medical emergency? Because I am willing to do whatever it takes to get you out of here."

Sophia expelled a breath she had not realized she was holding. "Not necessary."

Noah leaned in slightly and spoke more quietly. "Then do I need to 'accidentally' spill something on Emily during lunch?"

Sophia let out a weak smile. "Tempting."

"Just say the word," he said softly, returning to his usual tone. "I've got a history of being clumsy."

She shook her head, thankful but exhausted.

Noah could make jokes all he wanted, but nothing would change what had already happened.

She had the rest of the day ahead of her.

The luncheon was supposed to be loud.

The cafeteria was always noisy, with too many conversations going on at once, trays clattering, and the occasional outburst from a rowdy group.

Sophia, on the other hand, heard it all today.

They were talking about her.

She didn't have to hear the exact words to understand.

She noticed it in the way some students looked at her and the whispers they made behind their hands. Some were blatantly staring and smirking.

But then there was Emily.

She was sitting at her usual table, in the center of everything.

She didn't even glance at Sophia.

But that only made matters worse.

Emily didn't need to acknowledge her in order for everyone else to do so.

Noah sat across from her, brow furrowed, scanning the room.

Sophia pushed the food on her plate, her stomach twisting.

She was aware she needed to eat.

She simply could not.

Noah gave a sigh. "Okay. There is a new plan. We leave. Go anywhere, but not here."

She just shook her head. "I can't."

His frown became more intense. "Says who?" "Says me."

Noah sat back, rubbing his temples. "You are ridiculously stubborn."

Sophia forced a tiny smile. "It's one of my best qualities."

Noah let out a deep sigh. "I hate this school."

She breathed out. "Me too."

She actually did.

Sophia had done a good job avoiding Liam all morning.

Which was impressive given that he had a habit of turning up when she least expected it.

And, it appears, when she least expected him to.

Because the moment she walked out of the cafeteria, he was leaning against the lockers, as if he had all the time in the world.

Sophia had considered turning around.

That would be obvious, though.

She was already quite obvious.

She kept walking.

Liam smirked, as one might expect.

"Still alive, Bennett?"

She gave a sigh. "Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

She shot him a glance. "Talk like we're friends."

Liam's head tilted. "We're not?"

Sophia locked her gaze on him. "No."

He hummed, as if considering it. "Interesting."

She loathed the way he said things.

He didn't even try to be difficult—it just came naturally.

She lifted her bag higher on her shoulder. "Do you actually have something to say, or are you just bored?"

Liam gave a smirk. "Can't it be both?"

Sophia rolled her eyes as she walked past him.

Liam refused to stop her.

She was aware, however.

He persisted in his observation.

He always has been.

Sophia was operating on automatic pilot by the time she arrived home.

She went through the motions: dropped her bag by the door, went to the kitchen, and opened the fridge.

Her stomach was empty, but she was not hungry.

At least not in a way that mattered.

She grabbed the first thing she saw—a box of cookies—without thinking or stopping.

She then ate her meal.

It was too fast.

This is too much.

She didn't stop until the whole box was empty.

And she still didn't feel full.

Simply put, heavier.

She pushed the empty packaging into the trash while pressing her hands against the counter, her breath irregular.

She anticipated what would happen next.

The words themselves.

The expression.

"You're eating again?"

Her mother's voice was not particularly loud.

It wasn't even mean.

However, it did cut.

Sophia swallowed and turned to look at her. "I—"

Veronica sighed and put down the folder she was reading. "You need to start making better choices, Sophia."

Her stomach tightened.

"You are now in a leadership position. People are going to be watching you."

She was aware.

She had known all along.

Knowing, however, did not make things any easier.

Sophia remained silent.

She just nodded, turned, and climbed the stairs to her room.

And then I locked the door.

Emily hadn't finished.

Liam was paying attention.

So, what about Sophia?

Sophia was inconsolable.

She simply didn't know how much longer she could keep herself together.

TO BE CONTINUED…