, we're just acquaintances. He

? But he kiss

meaning behind it. I flinched as Natalie and her friends stepped closer, cornering me. A few s

nestly believe Nathan's going to fall for you just beca

as she shoved my shoulder, nearly knocking me of

and down. "He wouldn't be interested in someone of your..

wasn't wrong-I knew Nathan and I weren't in the

d, and you look like

fell to the floor. The laughter around me grew louder. I wanted to defend myself, to

, crouching near me. "Waiting for your prince ch

fully. I winced but still refused to respond

going

e was. Nathan stood at the edge of the crowd, his expression dark, his eyes s

o his side. "Honey, what are you doing here?" She wrapped her arms around his torso,

softened. "What are y

s stares and whispers, but he didn't care. His brows furrowed in concern

tone tightening. "What are you d

ff, his voice cold. "Yo

faltered

ay through the silent crowd. My heart pounded as everyone's eyes followed u

ating that junk?" she poin

aid-and the hallway

till trying to process everything. I

huckling softly when I pinched

He stopped and loo

a clingy fling. I should've made that clear sooner." He sigh

debating whether to walk away or be honest. Bu

know how long it'll take before I forget it. Maybe we shouldn't hang

before I could take a step, his arms wrapped around me

red. "I understand your pain.

were face to face. His eyes locked

ctually-" His words trailed off. He cursed under hi

night at the carnival," he murmured. "And

sed my panic because he quickly added, "Not i

ight?" I interrupted suddenl

n broke into a wide smil

k," I said. "There are

rinning like a kid

e y

r something like that, but for some reason, I couldn't. Despite every

ing outside, chatting with a few student

ed, ignoring the others stil

," I said wit

ght you-" one of hi

with someone tonight. Pro

and, and we walked to his car. We couldn't s

singing along, completely at ease. For the first ti

ds running, parents chatting, lights glowing softly over f

e join?" Nathan s

y tugged on my hair and sleeves. Nathan burst out laughing and started chasing them. I was about

tered, brushing sa

she sat on the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks. Before I could react,

y," he said firmly to the b

ering something only he could hear. Whatever he said worked-the boy's ex

e and smiled, and for a moment, I couldn't help b

t part of my life. We met after classes, shared snacks,

He was my comfort zone, my laughter, the person wh

ars, I didn't feel invis