9
880 Words
Ailith sat stiffly in her seat, hyper-focused on the board.
For the first time all day, she was actually paying attention.
It wasn’t because she suddenly found world history fascinating—no, she was avoiding eye contact with a certain someone.
Nara Ortiz.
After the whole "we need to talk" situation at lunch, Ailith decided to play it safe. She wasn’t going to sit next to Nara and give her more opportunities to grill her about Tavian. Nope. Not happening.
That’s why she was sitting with her best friend, Mira.
Mira was the opposite of Nara—loud, chaotic, and 100% not interested in Tavian Caius Gomez.
Which meant she was safe.
Or so Ailith thought.
For the next three classes, Ailith kept her head down, took notes, and ignored the fact that Nara was probably watching her like a hawk.
Mira, of course, noticed her behavior.
“Okay, why do you look like you’re trying to summon a demon through sheer concentration?” Mira whispered during English class.
Ailith blinked. “What?”
Mira gestured at her notebook. “You’ve written the same sentence three times.”
Ailith glanced down. Oh. She had.
“…I’m just really into today’s lesson,” she lied.
Mira snorted. “Right. And I’m secretly a billionaire.”
Ailith groaned and erased her extra sentences.
At least Nara wasn’t talking to her. That was a win.
Finally, after three classes of pure survival mode, the final bell rang.
“YES!” Mira threw her hands up like she’d won the lottery. “We’re free! No more math! No more stress! No more—”
“Shh,” Ailith whispered, tugging her arm. “Just walk.”
Mira raised an eyebrow. “Why are you acting like we’re in a spy movie?”
Ailith subtly glanced toward Nara. The girl was still at her desk, talking to someone.
“Nothing. Let’s just go,” she said quickly.
Mira smirked. “Ohhh. Avoiding someone?”
“No,” Ailith said way too fast.
Mira’s smirk widened. “Ailith… are you lying to me?”
“I’m not avoiding anyone,” Ailith insisted, dragging Mira toward the door.
They made it to the hallway. Safe.
As they walked toward the school gates, Mira launched into her favorite topic: male celebrities.
“So anyway,” Mira said dramatically, “Jace Everett posted a shirtless workout video last night, and when I tell you I almost DIED—”
Ailith sighed. “Mira, you ‘almost die’ at least once a week over some celebrity.”
Mira placed a hand over her heart. “And every time, I come back stronger.”
Ailith rolled her eyes.
“But seriously,” Mira continued. “Jace’s biceps were insane. Like, I don’t even care if he has zero personality. That man could say, ‘I like plain toast,’ and I’d still marry him.”
Ailith snorted. “Mira. Standards.”
Mira waved a hand. “Okay, okay. What about you?”
“What about me?”
Mira smirked. “You never talk about celebrity crushes. Not even once. Suspicious.”
Ailith shrugged. “I just… don’t obsess over actors?”
Mira gasped dramatically. “Impossible. Who brainwashed you? Blink twice if you’re in danger.”
Ailith laughed. “I’m serious! I don’t have one.”
Mira squinted at her. “Liar.”
“I’m not.”
Mira hummed, then suddenly grinned. Ailith did not like that grin.
“Wait a second,” Mira said, eyes lighting up. “You’re dodging the question. Do you have a real-life crush?”
Ailith froze mid-step.
Mira’s grin turned evil. “OH. MY. GOD.”
Ailith shook her head. “I don’t.”
Mira gasped even louder. “You DO.”
“No, I don’t!”
Mira grabbed her arm. “WHO IS IT?!”
Ailith groaned. “Mira—”
Mira started spinning in circles. “IS IT SOMEONE IN OUR CLASS? WAIT—” She suddenly stopped, eyes wide.
Ailith’s stomach dropped.
Oh no.
Mira pointed at her. “IS IT TAVIAN?!”
Ailith choked. “WHAT?!”
Mira cackled. “IT IS!”
“It’s NOT!”
“Oh my god, this makes so much sense! The avoiding! The weird behavior! The—”
Ailith covered Mira’s mouth. “Shut. Up.”
Mira was laughing into her hand.
Ailith groaned. “I swear, if you keep talking—”
Mira pulled her hand away. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop.”
Ailith sighed in relief.
Mira smirked. “For now.”
Ailith groaned louder.
Mira was way too pleased with herself.
As they reached the gate, she nudged Ailith. “Sooo… hypothetically. If Tavian asked you out, would you say yes?”
Ailith felt her face heat. “That’s not gonna happen.”
Mira grinned. “But if it did?”
“…I don’t know.”
Mira gasped. “YOU’D THINK ABOUT IT.”
Ailith facepalmed. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t,” Mira said cheerfully. “You love me. Just like you love Tavian.”
Ailith whipped her head around. “MIRA.”
Mira ran ahead, laughing.
Ailith groaned but couldn’t help smiling.
She hated how Mira could see through her.
Because deep down…
Maybe Mira wasn’t completely wrong.
- Writer
