chapter 6

Diana's pov

Tuesday mornings were always hard. My alarm blared way too early, dragging me out of a dream I couldn't even remember, and I groaned as I rolled over to hit the snooze button. The thought of another long day at school, especially with Chemistry class lurking on my schedule, didn't exactly fill me with excitement.

I forced myself out of bed, shuffling to the window to pull back the curtains. The gray light of early morning spilled into the room, and the hum of the city was already alive outside. With a yawn, I grabbed my outfit from the back of my chair, pulled it on, and trudged toward the stairs.

The smell hit me before I even reached the bottom-bacon and eggs, with just a hint of coffee. My brain, still half-asleep, took a moment to register it. Dad was cooking?

Sure enough, when I stepped into the kitchen, there he was, standing at the stove in his plaid pajama pants and an old T-shirt, flipping bacon like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Morning, kiddo," he said without looking up, his voice warm and far too cheerful for this hour.

I blinked at him, still groggy. "What's going on? Did I miss something?"

He chuckled, glancing over his shoulder at me. "What, a dad can't make his kid breakfast every now and then?"

"You? Cooking?" I raised an eyebrow, sliding into one of the kitchen chairs. "Is this a reward for surviving Monday or a bribe to get me to go to school today?"

"Maybe a little of both." He grinned, turning back to the stove. "I figured you could use a decent breakfast after how hard you were working last night. Chemistry giving you that much trouble?"

"Don't even start," I groaned, letting my head drop onto the table dramatically. "That class is out to ruin me, I swear."

"Well, maybe a full stomach will give you the brainpower you need to take it on," he said, sliding a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast in front of me.

I stared at the plate for a moment, surprised by how perfect it looked-like something out of a diner. "You're full of surprises, Dad," I said, picking up a fork.

"I try." He leaned against the counter with his mug of coffee, watching me eat like he was making sure I finished every bite.

The food was warm and comforting, and for a few minutes, it almost made me forget how much I hated Chemistry or how much school was dragging me down lately.

"Thanks, Dad," I said as I finished the last of the toast.

"Anytime, kiddo," he replied, his smile softening. "Now, go conquer Tuesday."

I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, feeling just a little lighter as I stepped out into the crisp morning air. Tuesdays might not be so bad after all. Possibly.

The city was alive, even this early in the morning. The sun peeked over the tops of the buildings, casting long shadows down the sidewalks, while the chill in the air hinted that winter wasn't too far off. I tightened my grip on the straps of my backpack and started down the street, my footsteps blending into the rhythm of New York waking up.

Vendors were already setting up shop, carts lined with bagels and steaming cups of coffee. The smell of fresh bread and roasted beans lingered in the air, mixing with the faint tang of exhaust from passing cabs. A dog barked in the distance, its owner tugging it along as they joined the flow of people heading somewhere, everywhere.

I passed by a group of kids from my school, their laughter loud as they walked in a cluster ahead of me. I forgot my headphones home-so it was just me and the city. It was nice, in a way. Peaceful, even with all the noise.

A bus rumbled past, splashing through a puddle on the edge of the curb, and I stepped aside just in time to avoid getting sprayed. The driver didn't even glance my way, but I rolled my eyes and kept moving. This was New York, after all. You learned to keep walking, no matter what.

As I got closer to school, the streets grew busier, the sidewalks filling with students, businesspeople, and the occasional tourist clutching a map like their life depended on it. The school building came into view, its brick exterior towering over the block like it had been there forever.

I stopped for a moment, letting the stream of students flow around me as I looked up at it. Another day. Another round of classes, homework, and Ms. Collins' icy stare. I took a deep breath, adjusted my bag, and stepped through the gates, ready-or at least pretending to be-for whatever the day had in store.

The bell rang, and I walked into the math classroom with the usual mix of dread and indifference. It wasn't like I hated math, but after a long Monday and a night spent battling Chemistry, I just wasn't in the mood for numbers and formulas. The classroom smelled faintly of chalk and old textbooks, and the desks were arranged in neat rows, as if the world outside hadn't just been a blur of chaos.

I spotted Chloe and Nora at the back of the room, their heads bent together in quiet conversation, and as usual, I found myself gravitating toward them. Chloe looked up first, flashing me a smile that was a little too wide to be casual.

"Did you survive Ms. Collins' homework ?" she teased, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

I rolled my eyes. "Just barely. I'm pretty sure she's out to ruin my life."

"You're not the only one," Nora said, her voice dry as always in the morning, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. She was already scribbling something in her notebook, probably a list of reasons why she hated school or a random poem, knowing her.

As I dropped into the seat next to them, I felt someone's eyes on me. A moment later, Abby slid into the empty chair across from me, her usual confident smirk plastered on her face.

"Hey, troublemaker," she said, leaning in just a little too close, her gaze never leaving mine. "Didn't see you in the hallway this morning. Were you avoiding me?"

I raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at my lips. "Avoiding you? You wish."

She laughed, the sound louder than it probably should have been for such an early hour. "Uh-huh. You always say that, but I'm starting to think you're secretly afraid of me."

"Afraid of you?" I scoffed, though something in the way she looked at me-unapologetically bold, like she wasn't afraid of anything-made me pause. "Please. I just know better than to get into a staring contest with you. I'm not that stupid."

Abby's smirk widened, and she leaned in a little more, her voice dropping lower, teasing in a way that made the air around us feel just a little thicker. "You sure? Because I'm pretty sure you wouldn't win."

I shook my head, trying to ignore the heat that was creeping up my neck. Abby always had a way of making things feel... different. Every time she talked to me like that, like she knew something I didn't, it made my stomach flip in a way I wasn't sure how to deal with.

Chloe and Nora exchanged a look, clearly trying to hide their smiles, and I rolled my eyes at them.

"God, you two are terrible," I muttered, but I couldn't help the small smile that curled at the corner of my lips.

Abby's grin softened, almost imperceptibly, but I caught it. "What? I'm just being friendly," she said, as if that was the most normal thing in the world.

The teacher walked in then, ending the moment, and everyone settled into their seats. But I couldn't shake the feeling that Abby's attention was still on me, like I was the only person in the room. The thought stayed with me through the lesson, nagging at the back of my mind, even as the teacher droned on about algebraic equations.

Abby wasn't shy. And somehow, that made everything feel just a little bit more complicated.

Next, PE. Not so bad.

The gym smelled like sweat and rubber, the air thick with the sharp scent of exhaustion. I walked in, looking around for the familiar faces of Chloe and Nora, but instead, I found myself standing in an almost empty room. The others had different classes this period-leaving me with a group of classmates I barely knew, and of course, Abby.

She was already tying her sneakers, her gaze flickering over to me with a half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She looked... different today. More intense, like she was ready for a challenge.

"Guess it's just you and me now," I said, forcing a casual tone.

"Guess so," Abby replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She stood up, stretching her arms over her head. "Don't think I'm going easy on you just because we're partners today."

I raised an eyebrow, the challenge in her voice obvious. "Oh, trust me. I wouldn't expect you to."

The coach blew the whistle, calling us to gather in the middle of the gym. As we all lined up, Abby stayed close, her presence almost electric beside me. It was clear she wasn't here just to play; she was here to win, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of it. The competitive energy between us was palpable.

The game started with a rush. Some of the other students were barely paying attention, but Abby? She was locked in, her eyes following every move like a hawk. I didn't know what it was about today, but something about the way she looked at me, the way she moved, made everything feel sharper, more focused.

I ran across the court, dodging a stray ball, only to see Abby cutting through the crowd with a sudden burst of speed. Before I could react, she was there, effortlessly blocking my path, her body brushing close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off her.

"Not getting past me," she said, her voice low but challenging.

I grinned, adrenaline kicking in. "We'll see about that."

I feinted left, then darted right, but Abby was right on me, her movements fluid and confident. We locked eyes for a split second, and there it was again-the tension, the way everything around us seemed to fade as we focused only on each other.

Finally, I found my opening. I swerved past her, the ball in my hands, and managed to make a clean shot. The ball swished through the net just as the whistle blew, signaling the end of the round.

Abby stood there for a moment, her expression unreadable, before a grin tugged at the corner of her lips. "Nice shot. But don't think I'm letting you win that easily next time."

I couldn't help but laugh, my chest heaving from the exertion and the intensity of the game. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

The rest of the class went by in a blur, but the entire time, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything between us had shifted. There was something about the way Abby played-something about the way she challenged me-that made the game feel like more than just PE. It felt like we were both testing something, pushing boundaries, seeing how far we could go.

And when the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, I wasn't sure if I was relieved or disappointed. Because somehow, even though we were just playing a game, the heat between us felt like it had only just begun.

I grabbed my water bottle, trying to catch my breath, but I couldn't shake the adrenaline coursing through me. Abby had been relentless today, more competitive than usual, and honestly, it'd been hard to keep up. I wasn't sure if it was the game or something else, but my body felt... off. A little too aware.

We both made our way to the locker rooms, the echo of our footsteps the only sound as we walked through the hallway. Abby was a few steps ahead, her hair looking a little too good, her body moving with the kind of confidence I couldn't help but notice.

When we entered the changing room, the noise of students coming and going filled the space, but it was strangely silent between us. I tossed my gym bag into an empty cubby, my hands suddenly feeling clammy as I started to unbutton my shirt. It wasn't anything unusual-just the usual routine after PE-but today it felt like something else. The air in the locker room felt warmer than usual, and as I pulled off my sweaty T-shirt, I realized my skin was flushed.

Abby was at the bench, pulling off her sneakers with a casual ease, not noticing the shift in my mood. But as I glanced at her, my breath caught in my throat. The way the dim lights hit her skin, the curve of her back as she stretched... it was hard not to notice how close she was.

I quickly turned away, focusing on my clothes, but the heat in my chest wouldn't go away. My mind was racing, not from the workout, but from the way she made everything feel charged. It wasn't like I hadn't noticed Abby before, but today, it felt different. She felt different.

Suddenly, I felt way too warm, the air pressing down on me. It wasn't the typical post-exercise flush. No, this was something else. My heartbeat was a little too fast, my skin a little too sensitive, and every time I moved, it felt like I was hyper-aware of Abby's presence just a few feet away.

I pulled my sweatshirt over my head, but it didn't help. I could feel my neck starting to burn. The lights in the room seemed to flicker slightly, and for a moment, I was conscious of every small detail-the way Abby's laughter rang out from across the room, how she slipped into a fresh pair of socks, the way her shoulders shifted as she spoke to someone nearby.

I tried to ignore the sensation, but it was impossible. My mind was drawn back to Abby again and again, like a magnet pulling at my thoughts. I didn't know why it felt like this-why just being in the same room as her made everything feel heightened, more intense. But I couldn't deny it anymore. Something between us was shifting, and I wasn't sure how to deal with it.

The locker room was buzzing with chatter now, but it felt like I was in a bubble. My eyes kept darting to Abby, but every time she caught me looking, she'd flash that bold, knowing grin. It was like she knew something I didn't.

I turned quickly, hoping to hide the warmth creeping up my neck, but it wasn't enough. I felt her eyes on me. "You alright?" Abby asked, her voice light, but there was a hint of something else in it. Maybe it was curiosity-or maybe it was something more.

"Yeah," I replied, a little too quickly, tugging at my sleeve. "Just... tired, I guess."

"Uh-huh," she said, not buying it. I could hear the playful challenge in her tone. "You sure you're not just avoiding me?"

I looked at her, then, my heart pounding harder in my chest. She wasn't shy. She never had been. But today, something about the way she said it made me wonder if maybe she was waiting for me to answer in a way I wasn't sure I could.

I quickly grabbed my things, standing up straighter than I needed to, hoping the heat in my face would go away. "I'm not avoiding you," I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrayed me, a little too shaky, a little too unsure.

She raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Good," Abby said with a smirk, throwing her bag over her shoulder. "Because I was thinking we could grab lunch together today. My treat."

I nodded, trying to push down whatever the hell this was that had gotten under my skin. "Yeah, sure. Sounds good."

But as I left the locker room and walked beside her, every part of me was acutely aware of her closeness, of how she made everything feel just a little more intense than it should. And for the first time, I wasn't sure if I was ready for whatever this was between us..

The cafeteria was buzzing as usual, a mix of laughter, clattering trays, and the occasional shout. I grabbed my lunch tray and scanned the room for an empty seat. When I spotted Abby waving at me from across the room, her grin too wide to be anything but mischievous, I felt a strange flutter in my stomach.

I made my way over to her, trying to push aside the nagging feeling that something about this lunch was going to be... different. Abby had a way of making everything feel charged, like there was an electric current running between us, even when she was just being her usual confident, bold self.

"Hey," I said, sliding into the seat opposite her. "Thanks for the lunch offer. I guess I'll take you up on it."

Abby's smile was practically glowing, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and something else-something I couldn't quite put my finger on. "I'm glad you finally agreed," she said, her voice playful, like she was in on a secret I didn't know yet. "I was starting to think you were avoiding me."

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep things casual. "Avoiding you? Please. I'm just not used to people offering me lunch without some hidden agenda."

"Oh, there's no agenda," she said, leaning forward just a little too much. "I just thought it'd be nice to spend some time with you. You know, outside of PE, when you're not so... distracted by me."

I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden boldness. It was a little too much, even for Abby, and yet, she said it with such ease, like it was just a fact of life.

I laughed, trying to cover the discomfort building in my chest. "Distracted by you? Hardly."

"Oh, come on," Abby teased, tilting her head as she took a bite of her sandwich. "You're definitely distracted. I see the way you look at me in class, trying not to get caught, but you can't help it. It's cute."

I froze, the food in my mouth suddenly feeling like lead. My brain was spinning, trying to process her words. Was she seriously calling me out like that? The idea that Abby might be reading me so easily, that she might know something I wasn't ready to admit to myself, made me squirm.

I forced a smile, pretending to shrug it off. "I don't know what you're talking about."

But Abby wasn't backing down. She leaned even closer, her eyes darkening slightly as she placed her hand on the edge of the table, her fingers brushing against mine in the most casual way possible. "You're cute when you act all tough, but I can tell you're just as intrigued as I am," she said, her voice low and playful.

I felt my heart race, a strange mixture of heat and nerves swirling in my stomach. Abby's touch was deliberate, her confidence unwavering. I was starting to realize that lunch with her wasn't just a casual meal-it was a game, one she was clearly winning.

"Okay, fine," I muttered, pulling my hand away, suddenly feeling like I needed some space. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I am a little distracted. But that's your fault, not mine."

Abby's grin widened at that, clearly satisfied with my response. She took another bite of her sandwich, as if she'd just scored some unspoken victory. "I knew it," she said, her eyes twinkling. "I knew I'd get you to admit it."

I shook my head, half laughing, half exasperated. "You're impossible."

"Impossible? Maybe," she said, her voice almost a whisper now, her gaze lingering just a little too long. "But you can't resist me, can you?"

I felt my breath catch, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. The air between us thickened, and despite the noise of the cafeteria around us, it felt like it was just me and Abby in the world. She was leaning in now, her face inches from mine, her breath warm against my skin.

"I-" I started to say, but my words got stuck in my throat. What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to deal with this?

Abby smirked, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on me. "Don't worry," she said, her voice soft and teasing, "I won't bite. Unless you want me to."

I quickly looked away, my cheeks burning. "You're unbelievable," I muttered, trying to regain some control of the situation.

Abby only laughed, sitting back in her seat with a smug grin, clearly enjoying every second of my discomfort. She picked up her drink, taking a slow sip as if nothing had happened, but the underlying tension was still there, like a thread connecting us, just waiting to snap.

"Relax, Diana," she said with a wink. "It's just lunch. You don't have to be so serious."

But I wasn't sure I could relax. Not with Abby looking at me like that, not with the words hanging between us. It wasn't just lunch anymore. It felt like something more. Something I wasn't sure how to handle.

I sat back in my chair, trying to steady my breathing after the awkward lunch with Abby. The cafeteria felt unusually loud, the chatter around us blending into a dull hum as my thoughts continued to swirl. Abby was sitting across from me, a satisfied smirk still tugging at her lips as she casually finished her drink. The tension that had built between us lingered like smoke in the air-thick, unspoken, and impossible to ignore.

Just as I was about to ask her what she thought of the chemistry assignment we'd gotten, I heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching our table.

Chloe and Nora appeared in front of us, looking at us with surprise written all over their faces.

"You two... are close," Chloe said slowly, her eyes bouncing between Abby and me, her expression a mix of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite place.

Abby raised an eyebrow, not even flinching at the sudden attention. "What's the matter, Chloe? You jealous or something?"

Nora snorted beside her, crossing her arms. "We're just a little surprised. Usually, Diana's not the one to get... so comfortable with anyone."

I could feel my face heat up instantly. I opened my mouth to say something, but the words caught in my throat. What was I supposed to say? That Abby was just being Abby? That I wasn't sure what was going on between us, but it felt way too complicated to explain?

Abby, on the other hand, didn't seem fazed in the slightest. She was always confident, always in control. "What can I say?" she said, leaning back in her seat and giving Chloe a playful look. "Diana's finally starting to realize what she's been missing."

"Abby," I hissed, trying to ignore the heat in my cheeks. I shot her a look, but she was too busy enjoying the moment.

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "You two? I mean, I knew you were friends, but... this is different."

"It's not what you think," I blurted, wanting to clear the air, but I knew how it sounded. It's not what you think was exactly what people said when something definitely was what you thought.

Nora raised an eyebrow, her expression not quite teasing but definitely amused. "I'm not sure what I think yet, but I'm waiting for the drama to unfold. I'm just saying, if you two are really about to be a thing, don't do it in front of me. I'm still trying to get through Algebra."

Chloe laughed, her usual sarcastic smile appearing. "Don't worry, we're just messing with you."

But as I looked at Abby across the table, I noticed something in her gaze-a quiet, almost challenging look-as though she were daring me to do something about the way we were sitting so close. I wasn't sure if it was a dare or something else entirely, but it made me shift uncomfortably in my seat.

"So," Abby said, completely unfazed by the awkwardness in the air, "are we going to Chemistry now or what?" She tossed her empty drink cup into the trash, her gaze never leaving mine.

I nodded, standing up and quickly grabbing my bag, wanting to get away from the tension at the table. "Yeah, let's just get to class, Ms.Collins hates us being late." I said, my voice a little too sharp for my liking.

As we walked to Chemistry, I felt the stares from Chloe and Nora burning into my back, and I could practically hear the whispers they were exchanging, trying to figure out exactly what had happened between me and Abby. But it didn't matter. All that mattered was the weird, electric current buzzing between me and Abby, making everything feel so much more complicated than it should have been.

And by the time we reached the Chemistry lab, I wasn't sure if I was ready to face whatever came next. But Abby was already beside me, her presence as bold and undeniable as ever, and I couldn't shake the feeling that class wasn't going to be any easier than it had been the last time.

The classroom was quieter than usual as we filed into Chemistry, the air thick with the hum of murmurs and the faint smell of chemicals. I felt a strange sense of unease settle in my stomach as I slid into my seat next to Abby, who was already grinning, her eyes mischievous as usual. We had barely exchanged a word during the walk to class, but now, sitting beside her, it was impossible to ignore the way the tension between us still felt so charged.

"I swear, if you try to distract me again during this lesson, I'll never let you live it down," Abby whispered, glancing over at me with that same teasing glint in her eyes.

"Who, me?" I whispered back, pretending to be innocent, but I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Abby's grin widened, and she let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling as she reached over to nudge me. The sound of her laugh, light and effortless, caught my attention. It was... magnetic, the way it drew people in, and despite myself, I couldn't help but chuckle along with her.

But the moment I looked up, I saw it.

Ms. Collins, standing at the front of the class, was glaring at us-at me and Abby-her expression sharp and stern as ever, but there was something else in her gaze that I hadn't seen before. Something that looked like... jealousy?

I froze, my laughter dying on my lips as I tried to piece together what I had just seen. It couldn't be. Why would Ms. Collins-our strict, no-nonsense teacher-care about what Abby and I were laughing about? Why would she be jealous of us having fun in class?

"Diana," Ms. Collins' voice cut through the silence, like a blade. "If you and Abby are finished with your... conversation, perhaps you'd like to focus on the lesson?"

I flinched, and Abby immediately sat up straighter, her playful attitude slipping as Ms. Collins' sharp eyes landed on her as well. The class seemed to hold its breath, the sudden shift in atmosphere palpable.

"Sorry, Ms. Collins," I mumbled, trying to salvage whatever dignity I had left. I straightened in my seat, avoiding her gaze. But even as I said it, I couldn't shake the strange feeling gnawing at me. Was she really jealous?

Abby, not one to back down, raised an eyebrow and leaned in a little closer. "You sure you're alright, Ms. Collins? You look a little... upset."

Ms. Collins' eyes narrowed at the remark, but she didn't respond. Instead, she turned back to the board, picking up a piece of chalk and drawing a formula on the board with far too much force. The sound of the chalk scraping against the surface was almost as harsh as her silence.

I tried to focus on the lesson, but I couldn't. My mind kept drifting back to that brief moment when I caught Ms. Collins' eyes. What was that look she had? It didn't make sense. Why would she care if Abby and I were laughing?

I stole a glance at Abby, but she was already looking at me, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "She's been acting weird lately," Abby muttered under her breath, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

I frowned, not sure what she meant. "What do you mean?"

Abby shrugged casually, but there was a strange glint in her eyes. "I don't know. Just the way she looks at us sometimes... It's like she's got something against you."

I was about to ask what she meant when Ms. Collins turned sharply around, her eyes narrowing as if she could sense our whispered conversation.

"Abby," she snapped, her voice clipped. "You too. If you don't want to be here, perhaps you'd like to leave."

Abby raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin only widening. "No need to kick me out, Ms. Collins. I'm just here for the chemistry."

The entire class shifted uncomfortably at the exchange, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of Ms. Collins' gaze on me again. This wasn't the usual strictness she displayed. No, it was something more... possessive, almost. Something that felt off.

I leaned back in my chair, still trying to make sense of it all. Why would Ms. Collins-of all people-be jealous of me and Abby? What did we have to do with her? I didn't know the answer, but one thing was clear: things between us were about to get even more complicated than I could have ever anticipated.