Chapter Four

Riley’s POV

I always wanted to play a college story where the character had no control of her life, like in a horror scene or something. I just didn’t know it wouldn’t be scripted.

For a second too long, neither of us moved or said a word. The air between us felt stretched thin, heavy, like something was waiting to snap. I was suddenly aware of everything—the warmth where my body pressed against his, the faint, clean scent of him, the steady rhythm of his breathing beneath mine.

Noah, who obviously looked amused by the situation, broke the silence.

“Well, this looks interesting.”

I snapped back to myself and pushed myself off the stranger quickly, my palms brushing against his chest—firm, steady, real. Up close, he wasn’t just tall—he felt grounded in a way that made me suddenly aware of how unsteady I was.

He didn’t move. Didn’t react the way people usually would. The stranger stayed unnervingly still, like he didn’t feel the need to react at all. His eyes—dark, steady, almost too observant—never left mine, not even for a second.

Most people would have looked away. He didn’t. That somehow made it worse. I gave a weird bow like a performer who just delivered a beautiful show, muttered a quick “I’m sorry” and ran off like my life depended on it.

He didn’t reach for me. Didn’t say anything. Just watched—like he was memorizing the moment instead of reacting to it. Trust my awkwardness to show off at the worst time. Skipping school would have definitely been a better option. My appointment with my counsellor was long forgotten as I ran past her office and headed directly for our practice hall.

Wrong choice. I shouldn’t have. Sitting on the floor outside my rehearsal hall was Matty, his head resting on his knees like an abandoned child. My heart broke at the sight, something sharp and painful twisting in my chest.

For a minute, I forgot everything. I forgot I was cheated on. I forgot the betrayal. I just saw the boy I loved—still love—for the past year. Just then, he lifted his head, and his eyes caught mine. My mind screamed for my feet to move, to turn away and run. But my legs seemed to have a mind of their own, because I stood there, completely still.

Matty got to his feet quickly, then hesitated, stopping himself from coming too close.

“Riles,” he croaked. My throat constricted, dry and painful. Words refused to come.

“I am absolutely sorry about last night, it never should have happened.”

“You’re right. I was a fool to have fallen for Alexa’s tricks. But I know my mistakes now.”

He took a cautious step closer.

“I know my mistake and it wouldn’t repeat itself. Can we just think of this as a bad dream that never happened.”

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But I couldn’t.

“But it did happen.”

“Come on Riles, you always do this.”

“Do what?”

“Act righteous….. Like you’re without fault. Somehow, you always play a big role in our misunderstandings but then you act blameless.”

There was something sharper in his voice now. Not just pain.

“You see the signs, but you ignore them because you are not ready to face your fault or play your part.”

“Matty.”

“Yes Riles. You pushed me to Alexa and you know it. How many times did you pick theatre over me? Actually when have you ever put me first. I had always been the third wheel in our relationship. Your spotlight has always been number one.”

“And that was enough reason to cheat? With Alexa?”

“Yes, it was. You see, whenever you made me feel unimportant, less than a piece of paper actually, Alexa made me understand, that was a you problem.”

The words landed hard, each one striking somewhere deep and unsettled. My eyes burned, heat building behind them, emotions clashing in ways I couldn’t name.

“Let’s face it Riley, everyone got flaws, you’re not perfect either.”

“Then why are you here? Why do all these?” I asked quietly, my voice trembling despite my effort to steady it.

Matty looked tired. Worn down. Like he’d asked himself the same question too many times without finding a real answer. He shrugged.

“Because I love you…. And maybe I hoped, you did too.”

He shook his head slightly, a quiet sigh slipping from his lips.

“I know better now though. It will never be me.”

Before I could respond, he picked up his bag and walked past me, his shoulder brushing lightly against mine.

I stood there—no more than half a minute, but it stretched. The hallway felt too quiet now, like everything had paused just long enough for his words to settle deep into my chest.

Just as I finally gathered myself enough to move, the door to the rehearsal hall opened.

“Perfect timing.”

Stacy.

She popped her head out, then stepped fully into the hallway, her smile widening the moment she saw me. Before I could react, she grabbed my arm and pulled me inside, dragging me back into the familiar chaos of theatre—voices overlapping, scripts shuffling, footsteps echoing across the floor.

“I was supposed to be in charge of this junior team, but I have….. well, kinda an emergency,” she rambled while I eyed her suspiciously.

“Really? an emergency?”

“Well yeah. So can you fill in for me?”

“Absolutely…. Not.” I answered, already turning away.

She rushed after me, blocking my path.

“Seriously Riles, just this one time.”

“You know its never one time. Plus why not Alexa, she loves these kinda jobs, or rather favours.”

She gave me a knowing look.

“Please Riles, I’ll owe you big time if you help me out.”

“Why not just bail or something?”

“No. I can’t bail or something. The director would kill me if I do. They are seriously lacking behind.”

I sighed.

“Fine.”

She threw her arm around me in relief before slipping out of the hall faster than I could change my mind.

Right. That had definitely been her plan.

I set my bag down, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

Focus.

Acting.

After what felt like forever, rehearsals finally wrapped up, leaving exhaustion clinging to me like a second skin.

Today had been nothing but a long, frustrating day.

By the time I got home, I was too drained to do anything. I tossed my bag aside and dropped onto my bed, the mattress dipping beneath me.

Of course it was ironic. I had spent the entire day trying to avoid the one person I so badly didn’t want to see… and somehow, he had been everywhere.

Today wasn’t the best. Tomorrow would be better.

---

Tomorrow wasn’t better. Nor the days after.

I spent the next few days rerouting, slipping out mid-lunch, ducking into classrooms, even pretending to be busy talking to walls at one point—all just to avoid a certain stranger.

Before the festival, I had never even seen him. And now? He was everywhere. Ridiculous.

I had just taken the longer route to the library, adding an extra ten minutes to my walk, just to avoid even the possibility of running into him.

Totally worth it.

The moment I stepped inside, the familiar smell of books wrapped around me—paper, dust, ink—comforting in a way nothing else had been lately.

I made my way to the back, my favorite spot. Quiet. Hidden. Safe. Which was why it caught me off guard when I found someone already there. Sleeping.

I pulled out a chair on the opposite end, leaving a careful distance between us, and sat down. I slipped my pods in and played “Full 180” by Luminati Suns on repeat at full volume.

Two hours later, my eyes ached, my focus gone. I hadn’t even gotten through much. Frustration built quickly. I slammed my book shut. The sound cracked through the silence.

The sleeping student jerked awake. I had already started to apologize when he pulled off his hoodie— Noah Bennett.

He rubbed his eyes, then looked at me, recognition settling across his face. He tilted his head slightly, a playful smirk forming.

“It’s you.”

He got to his feet and walked around to where I was seated, his gaze dropping briefly to my books before lighting up.

“You’re the girl from the last show at the festival right?”

I nodded slowly.

“Whoa, that’s so cool, you were absolutely amazing. No wonder you looked familiar that day.”

He paused, studying me for a moment.

“Hi, I’m Noah Bennett.”

It took a second, and a mental earth to Riley, before I took his hand.

“Riley.”

His smile deepened.

“Who would have thought we’d meet like this?”

“No kidding, who knew jocks came to the library too.”

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. His smile dropped.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it like that—”

He raised his hand slightly, stopping me.

“It’s fine, I get it,” he said, his smile easing back into place. “I may or may not be a jock. But sometimes, even jocks need a hiding spot. And what better place than the library?”

Guilt hit instantly. But before I could fix it, he was already walking away.

“It was nice meeting you, Riley. I hope to see you around.”

And just like that, he was gone.

I was still sitting there, drowning in my own embarrassment, when my phone buzzed. A message from Mom. First, a video. Then: We need to talk. Call me ASAP!!

Oh boy. This couldn’t be good.