Cara Playing Cupid

Chapter 2 - Cupid

"There she is!" Sophia exclaimed, her voice slicing through the cafeteria noise as she spotted me rushing towards our table.

Daphne looked up from her nearly untouched tray. "Where have you been?"

I took a moment to catch my breath, my heart racing not just from the sprint but from the news I was about to drop.

"You won't believe what I just heard." I gasped, trying to steady my voice.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "This better be good. I sacrificed my chicken wraps for this." She gestured towards the counter, where students were jostling for the last of the coveted chicken wraps.

"Oh, it's way juicier than those wraps." I let the suspense build as I took a seat, my eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Spill it already!" Sophia demanded, clearly impatient.

I glanced at Daphne, then back to Sophia, and let the bombshell drop. "Elijah and Lydia broke up."

Daphne's jaw dropped. "What?"

"I don't buy it," Sophia snorted.

"But it's true!" I insisted.

"Are you sure you've not missed some screws in calculus?" Sophia rolled her eyes. "Elijah and Lydia were like the couple of the century. They were always the center of attention and totally in their little world. Have you forgotten the times we've seen them sucking each other's souls in the hallways..." I gave a blank look at her exaggeration but she ignored me and continued. "They were always attached at the hip since they got together two years ago."

"Who told you?" Daphne asked, and I told them about my bladder struggle in calculus to the restroom overhearing, omitting the Blake part.

Sophia folded her arms, still doubtful. "That sounds like a rumor. You know how things get twisted around here."

"Then tell me why she's sitting at the cheerleader's table," I pointed discreetly behind me. "And not clinging to her boyfriend's lap on the basketball team's table like she used to?"

Sophia's eyes followed my gesture, her expression shifting from disbelief to intrigue. "Okay, that's interesting, but it still might just be a fight. They could make up by tomorrow."

"I think it's true-"

Sophia flicked her eyes towards Daphne. "Don't get her hopes up based on a random conversation."

"Fine." I raised my hands in surrender. "We'll keep an eye on them and see if they're done or if this is just a bump in the road."

"And then what?" Sophia arched an eyebrow.

Daphne leaned in. "What are you planning?"

I gave her a knowing look, letting my smirk widen. "Then we make the most of it. Let's just say I've got a feeling this could lead to some very interesting developments."

Sophia and Daphne exchanged glances, their curiosity now fully piqued. The cafeteria buzzed around us, but at our table, the drama of the high school romance had just begun.

➽─────────❥

"I'm home!" I called out as I stepped through the front door, my backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Welcome home, Cara!" My mom's voice, usually bright and upbeat, had a sharp edge today. She emerged from the kitchen with a look that could cut glass. "How was your first day at school?"

"Uh..." I glanced at her warily. "It was okay."

Mom's attention shifted to Cody, who was sprawled on the couch, deeply immersed in his video game.