The lecture hall was bustling with chatter as students settled into their seats. Chris slid into his usual spot beside Taylor, only to notice how rigid she was, her hands tightly gripping her notebook.
"Taylor…" he said softly, leaning slightly toward her. "You've been… different today. What's wrong?"
Taylor hesitated, her eyes darting to the professor. She took a deep breath and whispered, "Nothing… I just… maybe I should switch partners for this project."
Chris blinked, taken aback. "Switch partners? Why? Did I… do something?"
Taylor forced a small, polite smile, keeping her voice even. "No, it's not you. I just… think it might be better."
Chris frowned, his brows knitting together. "Better? Taylor… you're acting weird. Talk to me. Did someone say something to you?"
Taylor's fingers tightened around her pen. No, I can't… they'll think I'm paranoid. "I… I just want a fresh start with someone else," she said, her voice careful, hiding the swirl of doubt and fear inside.
Chris leaned back, frustration mixing with concern. "Taylor… you don't have to do that. If I did something to upset you, tell me. I can't fix it if you keep it inside."
Taylor looked down at her notebook, refusing to meet his eyes. She remembered the girls' whispers from the day before, the warning about Chris pretending to be nice and planning to destroy her. Maybe they're right… maybe I can't trust him.
Chris sighed, running a hand through his hair. He hated the distance growing between them. "Taylor… come on. You know me. I wouldn't—"
Before he could finish, the professor called the students' attention, and Taylor raised her hand. "Professor, is it possible to change partners for this project?" she asked, keeping her tone steady.
The professor glanced at her curiously. "Sure, if you have a reason. Why?"
Taylor shrugged lightly. "Just… personal preference."
Chris's jaw tightened. Personal preference? he thought, his heart sinking. He wanted to protest, to argue, to tell her she had nothing to worry about — but he didn't want to push her.
As the lecture began, the silence between them was heavier than ever. Chris tried to focus on the professor's words, but his eyes kept flicking to Taylor. She avoided looking at him, sitting rigidly, her expression guarded.
Taylor, meanwhile, kept her mind racing. Every laugh, every gesture from Chris over the past days, even his care while she was sick — suddenly, she doubted all of it. She couldn't shake the feeling that maybe he really had an ulterior motive, that the girls' words weren't just gossip.
Chris tried again during a small break, leaning slightly toward her. "Taylor… please. Talk to me. You're acting distant, and I don't know why."
Taylor's fingers tightened on her pen again. "I… I'm fine," she said softly, though her voice betrayed her tension.
Chris gave a frustrated sigh but didn't push further, sensing that she wasn't ready to open up yet. And as the lecture resumed, the gap between them — physical and emotional — felt wider than ever, leaving both of them trapped in misunderstanding and silence.