CHAPTER II

“You do realize everyone on campus is talking about you, right?” Sam shoots me a look.

Thankfully, she lent me a pair of emergency sneakers from her locker. They’re a massive upgrade from the Mickey Mouse slippers, at the very least.

As we walk into the cafeteria, I can feel the stares before I even see them.

“Wow, Great day to be a celebrity.” I mutter under my breath.

“People are just being assholes as usual. Ignore them.” Sam says, nudging me as we slide into our usual table.

I sigh, dropping my bag. Ignoring people sounds easy in theory. In reality? Not so much.

“Anyway, tell me about Mr. Hot Pants.” Sam leans forward, eyes gleaming with mischief.

I groan immediately.

Sam coined that nickname months ago, despite my very vocal objections. Mr. Harry does not need a nickname like that especially not one that somehow stuck. Unfortunately, Sam has never been one to listen when something amuses her.

And apparently, my very obvious crush amuses her a lot.

Still, I tell her everything. Every painful, humiliating detail from this morning.

By the time I finish, I drop my head onto the table.

“If only you were there, Sam. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.”

“I know that feeling.” she says sympathetically though the smirk tugging at her lips ruins it a little.

“The whole ‘good impression’ thing clearly failed.” I mutter.

“You could always try something else.” she suggests, her smirk deepening.

I narrow my eyes at her. “ I want no part of whatever you’re thinking.”

“Worth a shot.” she laughs.

“Not in this lifetime.”

“Fine.” she shrugs, then perks up suddenly. “Are you coming tonight?”

“Coming where?” I frown.

She stares at me like I’ve just insulted her entire existence.

“Halloween. Duh!”

Oh.

Oh no.

How did I forget?

Two weeks ago, I promised Sam I’d go with her to Teddy Waters’ costume party. Now it all makes sense why my brain conveniently erased that detail.

Because Teddy Waters is my ex-boyfriend’s cousin which means Julian will definitely be there.

My stomach twists.

Julian Friedman, charming, popular, captain of the basketball team. The perfect boyfriend… until he wasn’t.

Until I found him with Zoe, the lead cheerleader in the backseat of his car.

The same car.

The same place that used to mean something to me.

I swallow hard, pushing the memory away.

Since then, he’s been blowing up my phone with apologies. Calls. Messages. Excuses.

Too late.

“Earth to Lyka!” Sam snaps her fingers in front of my face.

“How could you forget something this important?” she demands.

“Important how?” Keith’s voice cuts in as he drops into the seat beside me.

“I can’t believe Lyka forgot Teddy’s party. We are supposed to dress up and have fun." Sam says dramatically.

Keith glances at me, then raises a brow. “This is about Julian, isn’t it?”

I stab my fork into my salad with more force than necessary, pretending it’s the most fascinating thing in the world.

Silence is safer.

“Haven’t you gotten over that idiot?” Sam presses, her tone sharpening.

“I didn’t say I hadn’t.” I mumble.

“Well, it sure looks like it.”

“I am over him. I just don’t want to see his face.” I insist, finally looking up.

“That’s exactly what he wants. For you to avoid places because of him. For you to stay stuck.” Sam fires back.

Her words hit harder than I expect.

“Now you have to come.” she continues. “Show him you’ve moved on. That you don’t care.”

“I don’t care.” I say quickly.

“Then prove it.”

I hesitate.

“Unless you’re not over him. It’s been three months, Lyka.”Sam tilts her head, studying me.

“I am over him.” I snap, louder this time.

“Good. Then you’re coming.” she says simply.

I exhale slowly, leaning back in my chair.

Do I even have a choice?

She doesn’t understand. There’s nothing left to prove. Whatever I felt for Julian died the moment I saw him with Zoe.

Still maybe she’s right. Maybe showing up is the closure I didn’t know I needed.

“Fine. I’ll come.” I mutter.

Sam grins like she just won the lottery.

By the time I get back to my room, exhaustion crashes over me like a wave.

What a day.

All I want is sleep.

I toss my bag aside and collapse onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. But my eyes drift to the nightstand instead to the framed photo sitting there.

Mom.

A small smile tugs at my lips.

Talking to her always makes everything feel lighter and after today, I could really use that.

I grab my phone and dial her number.

It rings and rings. Then goes to voicemail.

I frown. That’s unusual.

Mom always picks up usually before the second ring.

A flicker of unease settles in my chest.

Maybe she stepped out. Grocery shopping, maybe. She’s forgotten her phone before. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Still, I stare at my screen for a moment longer before slowly lowering the phone.

“She’s probably just busy.” I murmur to myself.

The uncomfortable thought lingers for a few minutes before I place the phone beside me, turning onto my side.

I’ll try again later. For now, I just need to rest.

Tonight is going to be interesting.