I didn't expect to see Aiden again so soon.
He walked into the cafeteria like he always did—calm, familiar. And beside him was a girl I didn't recognize at first. She had soft curls and an easy smile, her hand resting comfortably on his arm.
Amira.
I knew her name before I even heard it. Some feelings just introduce themselves.
My chest tightened before I could stop it.
Calvin was mid-sentence when he noticed my silence. "Hey… you okay?"
I nodded too quickly. "Yeah. Just tired."
Aiden spotted me then. His steps slowed for a moment, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. He gave a small nod—polite, distant. Like we were just classmates now.
Amira leaned closer to him, whispering something that made him smile.
That smile hurt more than I expected.
It wasn't jealousy the way people described it—burning or angry. It was quieter. Like realizing a place you once belonged to had been replaced by someone else.
Xavier was sitting across the room, talking with a few classmates. I felt his eyes on me briefly, then turn away. He didn't stare. He never did. But somehow, that made it worse.
When Aiden and Amira passed our table, Amira glanced at me.
"So you're Hinata," she said warmly. "Aiden's mentioned you."
I forced a smile. "Only good things, I hope."
"Of course," she replied. "He said you helped him settle in."
Aiden said nothing.
They walked away together, fingers brushing, laughter soft between them.
I stared at my tray, appetite gone.
Calvin leaned closer. "You don't have to pretend, you know."
"I'm not," I said.
But my hands were shaking.