CHAPTER EIGHT
580 Words
The corridor outside the literature wing buzzed with after- lunch noise,lockers slamming, shoes echoing against polished floors. Evelyn walked ahead with her usual composed stride, chin lifted, expression calm in the way that suggested nothing ever truly unsettled her. Becca followed, already sensing the shift- the quiet pressure that meant a conversation was coming whether she liked it or not.
"Becca", Evelyn said, stopping near the tall windows overlooking the inner courtyard.
Becca stopped too.
"You didn't help me yesterday".
The statement was soft. controlled. almost careful.
Becca tightened her grip on her bag. "you didn't ask".
Evelyn turned slowly. "you've never waited for me to ask before".
That landed harder than becca expected. she glanced towards the courtyard where students laughed freely, untouched by whatever invincible line had formed between her and Evelyn. "I didn't think stepping in was the right thing",she said." You and Cyrus had it handled ".
Evelyn studied her face,searching." That's not what I asked ",she said." I asked why you didn't help ".
Becca swallowed." Because lately ",she said quietly," Everything I do feels like it changes something.And I didn't want to change anything else ".
Evelyn's brow drew together- not in anger but confusion." You're my best friend ",she said simply." You don't get to disappear without explaining ".
The bell rang then,sharp and unforgiving.
Evelyn exhaled,already stepping back into herself." we'll talk later ",she said, and walked away before Becca could respond
Becca stood there for a moment longer, then turned in the opposite direction.
The debate preparation was louder than usual,filled with the low hum of overlapping conversations.sullivan and Ashbourne students occupied opposite sides of the space,tension disguised as civility.Becca hesitated at the doorway, unsure why she had come- only knowing she couldn't sit alone with her thoughts anymore.
Her eyes found Adrian first.
He was standing near the whiteboard, sleeves rolled slightly,speaking animatedly with two other Ashbourne students.when he noticed her,his expression brightened with easy familiarity.
"Hey",He said,stepping towards her."You came".
"I needed air", Becca replied honestly.
she felt it before she saw it- that shift in the room.Cyrus had looked up.
Their eyes met briefly.
"Hi ",Becca said, inclining her head politely.
"Becca", Cyrus replied,equally restrained.
That was all.
No pause,No extra word.
she turned back to Adrian.
"I liked how you countered the last point",she said, genuine."You didn't rush it.You waited until he finished".
Adrian smiled,pleased."I noticed cyrus doesn't like being interrupted",he said lightly."I figured patience would annoy him more".
Becca let out a small laugh before she could stop herself.
Across the room,Cyrus's jaw tightened.
He told himself it was nothing.Academic discussion.Normal interaction.Yet his attention had fixed itself there- Becca leaned in slightly, on the ease in her voice, on the smile she hadn't given him.
"she's right",one of the Ashbourne students added "You handled that well" .
Cyrus turned back to his notes, pen pressing harder than necessary against the page.
Becca continued speaking with Adrian,asking about Ashbourne debate culture,listening with interest, it felt safe- structured, uncomplicated,No expectations.No history.
Cyrus stood abruptly."we're done hear". he said to no one in particular,gathering his things.
Becca glanced up, surprised- but he was already walking past her, expression unreadable
For a moment, she considered calling after him
she didn't.
As the room slowly emptied,Becca remained where she was,the weight of unsaid things settling quietly around her.somewhere between loyalty and honesty,she had paused- and now she wasn't sure how to move forward without losing something she couldn't afford to name.
- Writer
