[EVE]
After another day of rest, I was finally back at school.
I couldn't say I missed much from the days I spent sick, but one thing stayed with me: Cole's presence, hovering around me yet never crossing that invisible line.
True to his word, he kept his distance, staying close enough to be there if I needed him but far enough that I could breathe without feeling stifled.
It was strange at first, almost unnerving to know he was always just around the corner, ready to help at a single call.
For once, he wasn't pushing with his usual persistence, nor trying to bridge the gap between us with his sister's over-the-top schemes.
He was simply there, respecting the space he'd promised to give. And while I wasn't sure how I felt about it—whether I was relieved or disappointed—I found myself welcoming the freedom, the chance to move without the weight of his constant presence.
It was a change, one I hadn't expected but couldn't ignore.
"Something on your mind?"
I flinched, snapping out of my thoughts to find Daniel watching me closely.
"Oh, Daniel, you're already here?"
"I've always been here, and you just didn't notice." His voice had that usual calmness, but there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
I frowned, a little thrown off. "Wait, what? Did you say . . . ?"
"I just got here," he clarified.
"Oh." I shook off the odd moment, brushing it aside as I focused back on him. I thought I misheard him.
"There's practice after school, so we'll need to stay a bit longer," Daniel reminded me.
I let out a small laugh, feeling oddly lighthearted. "Don't worry, I won't bolt like I used to," I replied with a grin.
To my surprise, Daniel grinned back, his face lighting up in a way I'd never seen. It was disarming to see that soft smile on him—the usually serious, composed Daniel looking almost . . . playful.
"What?" he asked, catching my stare. The smile was gone in a flash, his face returning to its usual seriousness.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "You should smile more often," I teased, unable to hide the warmth in my own smile. "It suits you. Makes you look more handsome. Approachable."
A hint of red crept over his cheeks, and he looked away, pressing his lips together. "Idiot. You have no idea what you're talking about."
I chuckled softly to myself, watching his expression. There was something endearing about his bashfulness.
For all his seriousness, Daniel was almost innocent in his own way, like a little brother who didn't know how to take a compliment.
Just then, a voice called out. "Daniel."
We both turned to see Lily Ashford approaching with her group of friends, a picture-perfect "it girl" with long, glossy hair, big doe eyes, and a sweet smile.
With Jessica's departure, she'd taken over as the new queen bee of our class. Her every step, every flick of her hair seemed carefully practiced to capture attention.
Beside her stood Sophie, who, it seemed, had completely integrated herself into Lily's group. They looked every bit the polished, popular squad they aimed to be.
Lily's gaze was fixed on Daniel, her eyes bright with that familiar, admiring look. It was no secret that she had a crush on him, so I wasn't too surprised that she'd finally mustered the courage to approach him.
"We're having a group study session at my house this weekend to prepare for the exams," she said, her voice soft and just a little breathy. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger and smiled shyly. "A lot of us are going, so . . . would you like to join us, Daniel?"
Her tone was so carefully sweet, and the way she looked up at him, tilting her head just slightly, was clearly practiced.
She was doing her best to make the invitation sound like something special, just for him.
I gave a half-hearted shrug and glanced out the window. It wasn't really my business, so I wasn't bothered.
"Are you going, Eve?"
Daniel's voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned, surprised. All eyes were on me now, and I could feel Lily's gaze shift from friendly to frosty in an instant. Her forced smile quickly reappeared as she responded.
"Uhm . . . I've only invited a select few, Daniel, so it doesn't get too crowded at my house. We're, um, pretty full right now," she said, her tone overly sweet.
One of the other girls sneered, "Yeah, she's not exactly 'study material,' you know?"
I clenched my jaw but managed to keep my expression neutral. Sure, I wasn't the top of the class, but that didn't mean I was an idiot. Not that I'd ever wanted to join their little study session anyway.
Daniel's face lost its cordial look, his smile vanishing as he said, "Is that so? Then I'll also not go, so we don't overcrowd your place."
Lily's mouth dropped open. She clearly hadn't anticipated her own words backfiring like that. I almost felt sorry for her—
almost
.
It was painfully obvious Daniel had zero interest in her, and it reminded me of the time I'd relentlessly chased Cole.
The other girls immediately tried to salvage the situation, chiming in one after another.
"Oh, you should come, Daniel," one urged, her tone hopeful.
"Yeah! You're so smart, and you'd really help us out," Sophie added, leaning forward with a pleading look.
But Daniel's expression remained cool, his voice laced with a hint of dismissal. "It's not my responsibility to teach you all. If you're looking for extra help, I'd suggest asking the teacher. Maybe she'll join your group study, then."
An awkward silence fell over the group, and I had to bite back a laugh as the girls looked from Daniel to each other, scrambling to recover from the unintentional roast he'd delivered.
It was as if he'd tossed them a lifeline only to yank it back just as they reached for it.
If they hadn't figured out by now that Daniel was the wrong target for their charm, they were in for a long, painful realization, it seemed.