Shattered Asylum

Chapter 4

It's Friday, the last day of school for the week and the night of the first football game of the season. Grayson had been on my case all week about coming, bugging me every chance he got, until I finally gave in. I asked Kristina if I could third-wheel with her and Ethan, and she happily agreed.

The three of us are waiting in line for lunch, surrounded by the buzz of students hyped for the game. "I'm so excited for tonight!"Nora exclaims, bouncing on her toes. "I can't wait to see the guys in their football pants."

I give her a look, smirking. "You're such a creep."

"Please," she says, flipping her hair dramatically. "Like you won't be staring, too." I roll my eyes. "I can confidently say I will not be staring at anyone."

"Liar," she sings. "We all know whose ass you'll be checking out." I shake my head. "No clue what you're talking about." Kristina perks up, clearly intrigued. "Wait, what? Who?" She leans closer, poking my arm like it'll get me to spill.

"No one," I insist, batting her hand away. Nora smirks knowingly. "She thinks Grayson is hot."

"Okay, first of all," I snap, "I never said that. You said that. All I did was agree when you wouldn't shut up about it over the summer."

"So, you do think he's hot." Nora grins triumphantly.

"Fine," I admit with a huff. "He's good-looking. Happy?"

Kristina gasps like I just confessed to a murder. "Oh, my gosh. You like him."

"Absolutely not," I correct her immediately. "He's the most annoying guy i've ever met. He doesn't take anything seriously, and he's a total showoff."

"But you think he's hot," Nora chimes, smug. I groan. "That doesn't mean anything! You can think someone's attractive and still find them insufferable. Case in point: Grayson."

"You guys would be so cute together though! I see the way he looks at you," Kristina says with an excited grin. Nora nods in agreement, a mischievous glint in her eyes. I groan, shaking my head. "He doesn't look at me in any way. I barely even know him," I say firmly, shutting down whatever idea they're cooking up.

"He so does," Kristina insists, narrowing her eyes at me. "He just broke up with his girlfriend a month ago," I counter. "I'm sure the last thing he's thinking about is getting involved with anyone right now."

They exchange a look, silently calling my bluff, but thankfully let it go.

After grabbing our trays, we head to our usual table. I plop down next to Nora, taking a bite of my chicken sandwich. "I still can't believe all three of us made the soccer team," I say between bites.

"Right?" Nora chimes in, practically beaming. "It's going to be so much fun. Honestly, with you two on the team, I bet we'll actually start winning games this year." I laugh softly, shaking my head. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As the conversation shifts, I focus on finishing my food while listening to everyone else talk about tonight's game. The cafeteria is buzzing with excitement, but I can't shake the feeling of someone watching me.

I glance around casually but don't see anyone obvious, so I turn my attention to my phone, swiping through random apps. Whoever it is, they'll get bored eventually.

When the bell finally rings, I exhale a quiet sigh of relief and follow Kristina to our next class. "What's it like dating someone famous?" I ask Kristina as we settle into our usual pace.

She glances at me with a small smile. "It has its ups and downs," she admits. "I'm happy he's so successful already, especially for only being seventeen, but.." She pauses, her expression turning a little darker.