Wednesday morning, I wake up to seventeen texts.
Most are from followers asking about my "mystery man." Apparently someone spotted me leaving campus late last night. Posted about it on a UCLA gossip forum.
avery lane seen leaving campus past midnight. where was she going? 👀
No photos. Just speculation.
Still enough to make my stomach drop.
I ignore those messages. Scroll to the ones that matter.
Ethan: Good morning. How did you sleep?
Sent at 6:47 AM.
Me: barely. you?
Ethan: Same. Keep thinking about last night.
Me: me too
Ethan: We should talk. But not via text. Too risky.
Me: when?
Ethan: I don't know. The dean's watching. Madison's watching. Everyone's watching.
Me: so we just pretend?
Ethan: For now. Until we figure out how to do this safely.
I stare at the message.
Safely. Like there's any way to do this safely.
Riley's already up. Getting ready for her 9 AM class.
"You okay?" she asks.
"Define okay."
"Fair point." She grabs her bag. "You seeing him today?"
