Promises | ✔️

Chapter 23: Could Care Less

NAYA POV

It was Monday morning. I hated Mondays. And I was exhausted because I worked late Saturday and Sunday night at the bar. But, I had 2 more weeks of this program.

I got ready and checked my phone.

Damien: Outside

Wow. No good morning.

I walk outside and see Damien on his bike, looking at his phone.

"Hi Damien!" I jump off the last step of the stairs.

He looks up and just nods. Someone's not happy today.

We drove to the program, without making any conversation.

He also doesn't talk to me when he picks me up and just drops me off.

The next day he also acts all closed off

"Damien. Are you ok?" I ask while getting off his bike in front of my apartment.

"Yeah." He gives me the one-worded answer.

"Are you sure? You seem kinda...off." I say.

"I'm fine. I have to go." He doesn't let me say anything else and drives off.

Why is he acting like that? I thought everything was good with us after last week. And we had been spending some time together too. I had opened up to him and everything. Maybe it finally hit him. I'm just a girl who lost her family and he doesn't want to deal with me. I'm so stupid. I really thought he had changed.

Why do I feel this way? Why am I kind of hurt? You know what this feeling is, Naya. You can't ignore it.

I did know why I was hurt.

I like Damien.

I like getting lost in his mesmerizing green eyes. I like his genuine laugh. I like the way he cares for each and every one of his friends, even if he shows it in his weird way. Heck. I even like the way he makes my body feel when he touches it. I like how his deep voice gets me flustered. The way my heart beats around him.

But he could care less about me, and I had to accept that.

***

Wednesday morning, I struggled to get out of bed. I had texted Damien the night before that he didn't have to pick me up today. He just said 'ok.' I had expected him to argue, but I pushed the thought away. He's not my boyfriend or anything. He doesn't have to always be there for me.

I took an Uber to the college today.

Before I could leave, Chuck grabbed my hand. I turned around and pulled my hand away from him.

"What?" I tried to mask the annoyance in my voice, but it didn't work.

"Woah. Someone's moody." He put his arms in surrender.

"I'm sorry. Did you want anything?" I asked.

"Yeah. I was just wondering if you wanted to go out this weekend."

I had kind of hoped Chuck forgot about another date. And ever since Damien and I had started spending time more, I thought I would put some distance between Chuck and me. Not because Damien and I were dating, but....I don't know. It made more sense when I first thought of it. But now that Damien pushed me away, I guess hanging out with Chuck wouldn't hurt.

"Sure." I smiled at him.

"Great. There's this really nice outdoor spot."

***

On Friday, Violet asked me to come to the cage. Apparently, she had hacked into the cameras around the Black Wolves' spot so we could spy on them. I had told her I didn't really feel like coming, hiding the fact that Damien seemed to basically hate me now. I hadn't talked to him since Tuesday, but it was evident he was ignoring me. It still hurt a bit, but I had to come to terms with it.

"Naya. You're extra quiet today." Violet spoke up.

We were both sitting on the couch in the office since the rest of the gang was outside.

"I'm just tired, I guess." I lied. To keep the conversation from me, I changed the topic. "So, how are things with Jake and you?"

I saw a blush come on her cheeks. "Well. We have been talking every day." She leaned in and whispered. "I really like him, but Damien can't know. He'll be pissed."

I whispered. "My lips are sealed." I fake zipped my lips.

"So your date with Chuck is tomorrow?" And the conversation is back to me.

"Yeah. He said he's taking me to some outdoor spot." I explained.

"Ohh. Sounds fun."

The door to the office opened, and Damien and Rocco walked in. I made eye contact with Damien, but he quickly looked away.

"Violet. Get over here." Damien sat down in his chair.

She got up from the sofa and in a low voice said, "He's been grumpy all week. I don't know what's up with him."

I faltered a smile at the comment. So it wasn't only me he was being rude to? "Come on. Let me show you what I do here."

She gestured for me to get up. Violet walked over to the desk. "Get up." Damien glared at her and got up from the chair, making room for his sister.

The girl opened up a program and typed in some numbers and words. A window opened, displaying various videos. They were the different cameras that were set up and this was the live feed.

"Voilà." She showed us the computer.

"Wow," I said.

"Ok. Click the one at the front door." Damien directed her. Violet followed and did it.

"Looks like they're all coming in for some meeting," Rocco said.

"Zoom in on their faces," Damien told her.

Just when Violet did that, I noticed something. Or more like someone. "Wait. Stop. Go back."

The girl went back to the previous clip.

I bent down closer to the computer and gasped.

"Chuck?"

***

Naya realized too!! They're both so oblivious to the other's feelings. I'll be posting another chapter later today, so watch out for that!

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Next Chapter Teaser Line: "Oh? So now you care about me?"