𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔 | 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜

We finished the project earlier than I anticipated, and Navan surprisingly finished everything I asked of him ahead of time. I knew he had it in him still, the geekiness, but I didn't actually know he'd get smarter. We'd spent countless hours hunched over textbooks, debating theories, and perfecting our presentation.  Now, it was showtime.

The presentation went well, Navan was acting weird though. I don't know whether it's because he was being serious during the report, but he's been avoiding me since this morning. He didn't even tease me like he usually does, and it made me think of last night. Is he ignoring because of last night? He didn't even bother asking anything after that.

Finally, we reached the end of our presentation. A wave of relief washed over me as I took a deep breath.

"Excellent work, Navan and Melody," Mr. Miller commented after we presented our project. "You've both clearly put a lot of effort into this project. Congrats on the 30%."

A collective gasp rippled through the classroom. A perfect score. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride, not just for the achievement, but for the way Navan and I had worked together. I didn't even expect that we would finish this project, it seemed impossible to deal with him—almost impossible.

***

The cafeteria seems more hectic today since it's taco Wednesday, and it's almost the final semester's exam. The aroma of greasy fries and lukewarm pizza hung heavy in the air, most of the students are talking about the Cupid Campus. Nessa, was mid-bite of a chicken nugget, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"He's acting weird," I blurted, sounding a bit frustrated.  "I don't understand what's going on."

"He just... ignored you? Like, completely?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the din of chatters.

I sighed, pushing my pasta salad around my plate. "Yep. Not even a glance. Like I was invisible."

"That's so weird, Mels. You two were practically inseparable since the project you guys were working on. What happened?" I hesitated, then recounted the events of the previous night.

Nessa's eyes widened.  "Did you tell him about last night?"

I nodded, my cheeks burning.  "I had to. He was so... clueless. I didn't know what to do. He's the last option I could think of."

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. I reluctantly gathered my things, my mind still preoccupied with Navan.

***

As usual, Nessa and I headed to the football field to watch practice. We found our usual spot on the bleachers, my eyes scanning the field for Navan. He was there, of course, his tall frame easily recognizable among the other players. But he was focused on the game, his face serious, his gaze unwavering, he didn't even let out a laugh or teased Erick like he usually does every time he outdone him.

I watched him for a while, my heart sinking with each passing moment. He didn't even glance in my direction, as if I were invisible. Did I really mess that bad last night?

The practice ended, and the players began to go in their way.

"Your lover boy isn't here." Nessa squinted her eyes at the field, forgetting to wear her glasses.

"He's got afternoon classes every Wednesday." I sounded confident, it's not like I memorized his class schedule. I did.

Nessa looked at me in disbelief, "weirdo."

I waited until everyone else had left, "I'll be back." Then I made my way down to the locker room, where I knew Navan would be changing.

I found him standing by his locker, his back to me. He was still wearing his football uniform, his muscles defined beneath the sweat-soaked fabric.