𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐧𝐞

Chapter 6

Avoiding Lance had its perks, but it also left a strange emptiness in my days. He'd been such a constant part of my life that his absence was almost like an itch I couldn't scratch.

I'd keep expecting to see him around, and then, just as I'd started to forget him for a moment, something would remind me of him.

Then, there was Aaron. He showed up every now and then—too often, if I were being honest.

The guy had this habit of just appearing when I least wanted company, and every time, he wore that same laid-back smile that somehow managed to be both inviting and irritating.

"Hey, stranger." His voice caught me off guard as I left my biohistory class. He was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed and a grin on his face.

"Do you have a class nearby, or are you just stalking me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Stalking you?" He laughed as he fell into step beside me. "I just thought you might want some coffee. Consider it my good deed of the day."

I almost rolled my eyes but stopped myself. "What makes you think I need coffee?"

"Well, you're in college, right? Coffee is practically a survival tool."

I shrugged, pretending to be indifferent. "Fine. But I'm paying for my own."

Despite my reluctance, we ended up at the café together. Part of me wanted to just ditch him, but the other part—maybe the curious part—stayed.

There was something odd about him that I couldn't put my finger on. I told myself I was just being polite, but honestly, I couldn't shake the feeling he wanted something from me. I just didn't know what. Because I had nothing to give.

As we sat down with our drinks, Aaron gave me a look that was both friendly and probing, like he was trying to figure me out without actually asking too many questions.

"So...what's new in Ruby's world?" he asked, taking a sip of his coffee. He said it so casually, but I could tell he was fishing for something, and I didn't like it.

"Not much," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "Just...classes, homework, the usual." I felt weirdly self-conscious, as though he could see right through me, which was ridiculous. I barely knew this guy, yet he acted like he had some insight into my life.

"Uh-huh. And...Lance?" His gaze sharpened just slightly, like he was testing the waters.

My jaw tightened at the mention of Lance. I didn't owe Aaron an explanation, and honestly, it felt intrusive for him to bring it up. "What about him?"

"Nothing, just wondering if you two are still close." He shrugged, as though it was no big deal, but I could tell he was watching for my reaction.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around my coffee cup. "Things are complicated right mow." I regretted saying it the moment the words left my mouth.

Why did I feel the need to give him anything? He didn't need to know about my issues with Lance. And how did he remember names so easily?

Aaron just nodded, acting like he understood, but I didn't buy it. "Yeah, friendships can be tough sometimes. People change, or they show sides you didn't see before."

There was something unsettling about how he said it, like he was speaking from experience, yet it felt calculated. His words seemed almost too smooth, like he knew exactly what he was trying to get out of me.

I took a sip of my coffee, breaking eye contact. "I don't know if it's that simple. People aren't...one-sided. Sometimes they're just...I don't know." I stopped myself, annoyed that I'd said even that much.