Chapter 18
979 Words
I blinked. “What are you even doing here? You’re still on suspension.”
He smirked. “Suspension doesn’t mean exile. Or do you want me to disappear completely?”
I rolled my eyes, but my lips twitched. “I didn’t say that.”
Jordan pushed off the wall and came closer. “Good. So, have you eaten?”
I hesitated. “Not really. But I’d rather take a walk than sit in the cafeteria right now.”
“Then we’ll walk,” he said simply. “And I’ll grab us some takeout on the way. You look too tired to argue.”
I pretended to protest. “I am perfectly fine….”
Jordan tilted his head. “Rue, if you pass out on me, I’m carrying you to the clinic. And I’d hate to make the nurses and students gossip again.”
That earned him a soft laugh. “Fine. Takeout it is.”
We walked side by side toward the cafeteria. The late-afternoon sun was warm, casting long shadows on the pathway. I felt oddly peaceful, despite the stares we still got from some students.
Jordan glanced at me. “You’ve been quiet these days. Was it boring without me around?”
I pretended to think. “Hmm. Peaceful might be a better word.”
He stopped walking, looking at me with mock offense. “Peaceful?”
I grinned. “Relax, I’m joking.”
Jordan’s smirk softened into a small smile. “Good. Because I missed you more than I thought I would.”
I looked away quickly, feeling my cheeks heat. “You’re just saying that.”
Jordan stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. “No, I’m not.”
My heart did a little flip, and I quickly changed the subject. “What about all those rumors? People had a while of free entertainment thanks to you.”
Jordan chuckled. “Some of them were funny. The one where they said I broke the guy’s jaw just because he looked at you?”
I groaned. “Jordan, that’s not funny.”
“It is. Because his jaw is perfectly fine.”
“Still...”
“Rue.” Jordan stopped again, and this time he reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t care what they say. Do you?”
My voice went quiet. “No. I never doubted you.”
Jordan stared at me for a moment, then leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead, so quick and soft I almost thought I imagined it.
“Good,” he said simply, before walking again.
I followed, smiling despite myself.
We got their food and sat on a low bench near the fountain to eat. It wasn’t fancy, but I liked it just the two of us, no noise, no stares that mattered.
Jordan talked about how boring his suspension was, and I teased him about being dramatic.
When we finished, he stood and held out a hand. “Come on. Let me walk you back.”
I took it without thinking.
On the way to the hostel, our conversation turned softer, future plans, random jokes, silly what-ifs. I found myself laughing more than I had in weeks.
When we reached my hostel gate, Jordan stopped.
“Mine.”
I turned. “What?”
Jordan’s eyes searched mine for a second. Then he pulled me close until there was barely any space left between us.
“I missed you,” he said quietly, like a confession. “More than I thought I would.”
I swallowed hard. “You already said that.”
“I needed to say it again.”
My chest tightened, and I nodded, unable to find words.
Jordan smiled faintly and let me go. “Go inside before someone catches us and adds another rumor.”
I rolled my eyes but went in, smiling to herself.
“Fast forward to one month later Jordan and I were stronger than ever. The gossip eventually died down, and suspension became just another story people whispered about in the hallways. We still had our late-night calls, our quiet cafeteria dinners, and our moments. Everything was perfect… until one ordinary Thursday changed everything.”
I dragged myself into my room after a long day of lectures, tossing my bag on the bed.
> I just need food, a shower, and Jordan’s voice, I thought. Then today won’t feel so bad.
My phone buzzed.
Dad.
I froze. He rarely called in the afternoon.
I answered. “Hi, Dad.”
His voice was calm but unusually serious. “How are you, Rue?
“I’m fine dad” my tone softer.
“Are you focusing on your studies,Behaving yourself?”
I frowned. “Um… yes. Of course.”
“Good.” His tone was unreadable. “Don’t forget why you’re there.”
Then he hung up.
I sat there staring at the phone.
He knows. The school must have told him about everything last month.
My stomach turned. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sit still. I misplaced my phone, found it again, paced the room until my legs hurt.
It was late when Jordan finally called.
Jordan: “you answered none of my text all day. Are you okay?”
My voice was quiet. “There’s something I need to tell you tomorrow morning.”
Jordan’s tone sharpened. “Tell me now. Or I’m coming over.”
“No,” I said quickly. “Just wait until tomorrow. I need to think about how to say it.”
There was a pause, then a sigh. “Fine. But if you don’t call me first thing in the morning, I’m dragging you out of that hostel myself.”
I gave a weak laugh. “Okay. Goodnight, Jordan.”
“Goodnight.”
I hung up, then lay in the dark staring at the ceiling.
- Writer
