Chapter 25
Sadie's POV
Jake's gaze never landed on her.
He glanced at the pink envelope, silent for a few seconds. Then he looked back at the notice board.
When he spoke, his voice was low and steady. Every word clear.
"Then you'd better prove you're better than a dog."
A pause.
"More loyal? More obedient?"
He finally turned his head, his pale blue eyes sweeping over her coldly. His mouth curved up slightly—but it wasn't a smile.
"Or... better at reading the room?"
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
Liam was already doubled over, slapping Jake's back. Cole and Tyler turned away, forcing themselves not to laugh.
The girl's face drained of color. She bit her lip hard, the envelope crumpling in her hand.
Jake's gaze had already moved away from her. Like she'd never been worth looking at in the first place.
He said, calm as ever, "Don't waste your time."
Then he turned and walked away.
The girl stood there for a few seconds. Then she crushed the envelope into a ball and ran off, pushing through the crowd.
Laughter and murmurs mixed together. People were already recording, ready to upload to Lion's Den.
Inside the cafeteria, Brooklyn let out a low "Ohhh..." like she was feeling secondhand pain. "That was brutal."
"She chose to do it," Maya said objectively. "She knew he had a rumored girlfriend and still went ahead. Rejection was statistically inevitable."
"I know, but still. That was harsh..." Brooklyn trailed off, shaking her head.
Zoe took a sip of water and said nothing.
I stayed quiet.
I watched Jake turn away, watched him pull out that Zippo and pocket it again, standing there like nothing had happened.
I didn't know what I was feeling.
That annoyed feeling was still there. But it had... loosened. Just a little.
And then I felt ashamed for feeling relieved.
What are you happy about, Sadie? Who he rejects has nothing to do with you.
I looked down and took a long drink of orange juice.
---
Jake, Liam, Cole, and Tyler turned toward the parking lot.
Liam was still talking, gesturing with his hands. Cole responded. Tyler just walked.
The crowd was already scattering. This whole thing would probably be trending on Lion's Den in ten minutes.
I watched them through the glass.
I was about to look away—tell myself okay, it's over, eat your lunch—
But then Jake stopped.
He stopped walking. Slowly, he turned around.
Our eyes met across the crowd, across the glass, across the noise of the entire lunch period.
For one second, everything else went quiet.
My heart slammed against my ribs. The fork slipped from my hand and clattered onto the tray.
Jake's pale blue eyes locked onto mine. We were so far apart, with so many people between us, but that look landed on me with perfect precision. Like a pin. Straight into my chest.
I turned my head away.
Fast.
My back went stiff. My face burned. I sat frozen in my seat, my mind spinning.
Did he... did he see me?
No. Impossible. We're too far. There are too many people. He couldn't have noticed you staring—he just turned around randomly. He wasn't looking at you. He wasn't—
"Sadie."
Brooklyn's voice pulled me back.
"Huh? What?" I looked down quickly, picking up my fork and pretending to focus on my food.
"...Your face is red." Brooklyn's tone was way too calm. Too knowing.
"It's hot in here." I said it fast.
"The AC's been running this whole time." Maya.
"Air circulation varies by individual body temperature response—"
"Sadie." Zoe said my name softly, a hint of amusement in her voice.
I stopped. Looked down. Stayed quiet for three seconds.
The noise of the cafeteria came rushing back.
"...Let's just eat. We have class after this." My voice came out steadier than I expected. That made me feel slightly better.
Brooklyn and Maya exchanged a glance but didn't push.
Zoe looked down and kept eating, the corner of her mouth tilted up just slightly. I saw it.
I took another long sip of orange juice, forcing down the aftershock of that look.
Even if he saw you, so what? He just turned around. Just... just...
I closed my eyes for a second.
Starting tomorrow, I'm sitting with my back to the window.