Happier than Ever

Too Easy

By Wednesday, Riley had already started learning Lauriette Hayes's routine.

She knew which hallway Lauriette took after second period. She knew she usually stopped by her locker before lunch. She knew that on Wednesdays, she stayed late after her last class because of a club meeting.

Riley told herelf she wasn't paying attention.

Jordan knew better.

"You've looked at that clock six times in the last ten minutes," Jordan said.

Riley glanced at her. "No, I haven't."

"You just did it again."

"I was checking the time."

"You have a phone."

Riley rolled her eyes and looked back at her notebook. Then the bell rang.

Riley's eyes immediately went toward the classroom door.

Jordan laughed. "You're unbelievable."

"Shut up."

They walked into the hallway together, but Riley slowed down when she saw Lauriette. Lauriette was standing beside her locker, talking to Chloe. Ethan was a few feet away, leaning against the wall and scrolling through his phone.

Riley's stomach tightened. She hated that feeling. She hated how quickly Ethan could ruin her mood simply by existing beside Lauriette.

Lauriette noticed Riley and smiled.

"Riley!"

Riley's entire expression changed.

"Hey."

"You brought the history notes, right?"

Riley nodded and handed them over.

"You're literally a lifesaver," Lauriette said.

She smiled while flipping through the pages. Riley smiled back.

Jordan stood behind her, watching.

When Lauriette walked away, Jordan whispered, "You're doing girlfriend-level favors for someone who isn't your girlfriend."

Riley frowned. "They're just notes."

"Sure."

"Jordan."

"What?"

"Stop."

Jordan sighed. "I'm serious, Riley. You're getting attached."

Riley didn't answer because she knew Jordan was right.

That afternoon, Riley found herself sitting in the library with Lauriette.

"I don't understand any of this," Lauriette complained, pushing her math worksheet across the table.

Riley looked at it.

"It's not that hard."

"Easy for you to say."

Riley smiled. "Okay. Look."

She leaned closer and began explaining the problem. Lauriette listened carefully, occasionally asking questions. At one point, she even smiled.

"I like you."

Riley's heart stopped. Then she looked up.

"What?"

Lauriette laughed. "Not like that."

Riley forced a small laugh.

"Oh."

"I mean, you're really nice. And you're easy to talk to."

"Yeah."

Riley looked back down at the worksheet. She pretended the words didn't hurt and Lauriette didn't notice.

She continued talking about school, Ethan, Chloe, and the plans she had for the weekend. Riley listened to every word.

She always did

That evening, Riley was lying on her bed when her phone buzzed.

Lauriette:

heyy

Riley smiled.

Riley:

hey

A few seconds passed.

Lauriette:

Could you send me $20? I'll give it back Friday.

Riley stared at the message. Twenty dollars wasn't much.But she had been saving for a pair of sneakers.

She hesistated.

Then she opened her banking app.

A minute later, she sent it.

Riley:

sent.

Lauriette:

You're the besttt(with a heart emoji)

Riley stared at the heart and smiled. Then she remembered Jordan's warning.

You're getting attached.

Riley pushed the thought away.

The next morning, Jordan found out.

"You gave her money?"

Riley looked up from her breakfast.

"She said she'd pay me back."

"That's not the point."

"What is the point, then?"

"The point is that she keeps asking you fo things, and you keep giving them to her."

Riley crossed her arm.

"She's my friend."

Jordan stared at her.

"Is she?"

Riley's expression hardened.

"Yes."

"Does she treat you like her best friend?"

Riley didn't answer.

"Does she tell you everything?"

Silence.

"Does she choose you over Chloe?"

Riley looked down then Jordan's voice softened.

"Riley, I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm trying to protect you."

"I'm fine."

"You're not."

Riley stood up.

"I'm fine."

She walked away before Jordan could say anything else.

At lunch, Riley sat across the courtyard from Lauriette. She watched Lauriette laugh with Chloe. Then Ethan walked over. Lauriette immediately smiled.

Riley looked away.

A dew seconds later, her phone buzzed.

She opened her i********:.

Lauiette had posted a picture with Ethan. They were standing close together, smiling.

The caption read:

My favorite person(With a heart emoji)

Riley's chest tightened. She stared at the picture longer than she should have.

She imagined what it would be like if Ethan simply disappeared from Lauriette's life. If Lauriette had nobody else. If Riley were he person Lauriette turned to first.

The thought became darker.

Riley suddenly locked her phone.

"No."

She took a breath.

"What I'm I thinking?"

She didn't want to hurt Ethan.

She didn't even really hate him.

She hated what he represented.

Everything Riley wanted but couldn't have.

Later that afternoon, Lauriette stopped Riley near the stairs.

"Hey."

Riley looked up.

"Thanks again for yesterday."

"The money?"

"Yeah."

Lauriette smiled.

"I reall appreciate you."

Riley felt that familiar warmth in her chest.

"You're welcome."

"You're so sweet." said Lauriette.

Lauriette hugged her quickly before walking away. Riley stood there, frozen for a moment.

Then she smiled.

She knew Jordan would probably say the hug meant nothing. Maybe it didn't.

But to Riley, it meant everything.

That was the problem. She was beginning to turn small moments into something much bigger.

A smile became hope.

A text became excitement.

A favor became proof that Lauriette cared.

And everytime Lauriette gave Riley a little attention, Riley wanted more. She wanted something Lauriette had never promised her. Something Lauriette had never offered.

And the more Riley wanted it, the harder it became to control.

That night, Riley opened her phone again.

She typed a message.

Are you awake?

She stared at it.

Then deleted it.

She typed again.

How was your day?

Deleted.

Finally, she sent:

Riley:

Goodnight(with a heart emoji)

Lauriette replied almost immediately.

Lauriette:

*Goodnight:)*

Riley smiled at the screen. It was such a small thing.

Just two words and a smiley face.

But Riley lay back against her pillow as though Lauriette had given her something precious.

She closed her eyes and for a moment, she felt happy. Then she remembered that happiness shouldn't depend on a message from one person.

Riley opened her eyes again.

She knew that.

She just wasn't ready to admit how much she already depended on Lauriette.

Not yet.