Brandon's POV
I stood there for a full five seconds after she walked away. Five seconds, staring at the empty space she had just occupied. Five seconds trying to convince myself that what had just happened was normal. It wasn't.
The hedge rustled softly in the wind, and students' voices drifted in and out from the courtyard. Everything looked fine—calm and ordinary. But nothing felt ordinary anymore.
"Can we not act like we're together outside?" The words replayed in my head like a broken record.
I ran a hand through my hair and exhaled slowly. Okay, she was overwhelmed. Festival pressure, the car, the feeling of being watched—it made sense. But it didn't sit right.
I turned and headed back inside, forcing my steps to remain measured. No rushing, no chasing, no drama. If she wanted distance in public, she'd get it.
