The Distance Grows
891 Words
The morning bell rang, and the school corridors filled with the usual rush of students. Lockers slammed, voices overlapped, and footsteps echoed through the hallway as everyone moved toward class.
Evan walked in earlier than usual.
But instead of sitting beside Bethany, he chose a seat at the back of the classroom.
From there, he watched her.
Bethany sat near the window with Ava, laughing softly over a textbook. She pointed at something on the page, explaining animatedly, her eyes bright with energy.
Evan stared longer than he meant to.
Something uncomfortable twisted in his chest.
He did not like it.
Not the feeling.
Not the reason behind it.
Ava suddenly leaned toward Bethany and whispered something.
Bethany turned slightly, her expression changing.
Then she stood up quickly.
Too quickly.
Evan straightened immediately as she rushed out of the classroom.
Where is she going?
Without thinking, he stood and followed.
He kept a careful distance, moving through the hallway quietly so she would not notice him.
Bethany moved fast, heading toward the school entrance.
Evan’s thoughts raced.
Was she meeting him again?
That boy from the stadium?
The one sitting beside her…
His chest tightened at the memory.
He slowed near the stairwell and watched from a hidden angle.
Bethany reached the entrance and her face lit up instantly.
“Jakey!” she called.
Evan froze.
That name.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped forward just enough to see better.
A tall boy turned toward her, smiling easily.
Evan’s breath caught.
He knew him.
The stadium.
The boy sitting beside her.
The same one.
Jake.
Bethany rushed toward him immediately.
“Hey, Bluey,” the boy said warmly.
Evan watched silently from behind the corridor wall, his jaw tightening.
The boy reached into his bag and pulled out a neatly packed lunch box.
“Dad asked me to bring this for you,” he said.
Bethany gasped. “Oh my lunch! I forgot again. Thanks, Jakey!”
She hugged him quickly.
Evan’s expression shifted.
Hug.
Again.
But this time, something felt different.
Not anger.
Confusion.
Before he could process it, Ava appeared.
“Hi Jake!” she called, waving slightly too enthusiastically.
Jake smiled. “Hey Ava. How are you? And your mom?”
“I… I’m fine… she’s fine,” Ava stammered, clearly nervous.
Bethany immediately noticed and laughed.
“Oh wow… look at you! Heart racing much?”
Ava’s face turned red instantly. “Beth! Stop it! It’s nothing!”
Bethany grinned. “Nothing? Uh-uh, I know that flustered look anywhere. Totally in love, Ava.”
Ava groaned. “I can’t help it! He’s… ugh!”
Bethany nudged her playfully. “Relax, it’s cute. But seriously, you’re going to combust if you don’t calm down.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Shut up, Beth! You’re just jealous you didn’t get the lunch hug too.”
Bethany laughed. “Jealous? Nah, I’m just observing human behavior. You’re hilarious.”
Ava smirked. “Anyway, Jake brought your lunch? He’s so hot and a gentleman too. I could die!”
Bethany laughed harder. “Wake up, Ava! Jakey’s never going to date you!”
“Why not?!” Ava asked dramatically.
“Because he has a girlfriend, Ava!” Beth replied, still laughing.
Ava groaned. “I hope she gets hit by a bus so I can have Jake.”
Both girls burst into laughter.
Evan stood frozen.
Everything shifted.
He exhaled slowly.
Relief hit him first.
Then guilt.
He had misjudged her.
Again.
And worse…
He had been cold to her because of it.
Without realizing it, he stepped back slightly.
So that’s it…
Her cousin.
The boy from the stadium.
Not what he thought.
Not even close.
A strange heaviness settled in his chest.
And for the first time that day, it was not jealousy.
It was regret.
⸻
School ended later that day, and students poured out of the courtyard.
Bethany walked alone.
Evan spotted her immediately.
This time, he did not hesitate.
“Hey, Bethany!” he called.
She slowed but did not stop.
“What do you want?” she asked coldly.
“Ava had somewhere to go,” she said when he asked why she was alone.
Her tone was sharp.
She walked faster.
“Bethany, I’m sorry,” Evan said quickly.
She stopped.
Slowly turned.
“Sorry for what?”
“For being mean to you.”
She scoffed. “Being mean? You really think that’s the problem?”
“I know I messed up,” he said quietly. “That’s why I’m apologizing.”
Bethany’s expression hardened.
“I don’t want your apology.”
Evan blinked.
“I’d be happy if you just left me alone,” she continued. “I’m done trying to be friends. All you do is push me away. Just keep ignoring me like you always do.”
She turned and walked off.
“Beth—” Evan called.
But she did not stop.
She disappeared into the crowd.
Evan stood still.
This time, the silence around him felt heavier.
Because now he knew.
He had not just hurt her.
He had misunderstood her.
And maybe…
He had already pushed her too far.
“I have to fix this,” he whispered.
Not because he wanted to.
Because for the first time…
he was afraid of losing her completely.
- Writer
