Don't You Dare

Chapter 8: Shared Spaces

November 25, 2015

Andrea glanced out the window, watching as they passed by the familiar sights of downtown Greenwich. The boutiques and cafés were bustling with activity, and holiday decorations were already adorning the streets, adding a festive feel to the crisp November air. She felt a bubble of excitement building inside her as Megan's car sped toward the high school. She couldn't wait to see Gabe play tonight, back on the field where he belonged.

"You know," Megan said, breaking through Andrea's thoughts, "you and Gabe have been pretty much inseparable since Homecoming." She shot Andrea a sideways glance, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "It's kind of sickening, really."

Andrea laughed, leaning back in her seat and turning to face her friend. "Jealous much?"

"Maybe a little," Megan admitted with a sigh, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. "I mean, look at you two. One dance, and suddenly you're like the new power couple of the school." She glanced at Andrea again, this time more seriously. "It's like you guys just clicked. I wish I had that kind of connection with Ryan."

Andrea's smile softened as she thought of Ryan. Unlike Andrea, Megan had known Ryan for a while, having been a regular at the high school parties since freshman year. She'd been crushing on him for just as long. They'd hooked up a few times at his parties, but he'd never made a move to turn it into anything more serious. Megan wanted something real, but Ryan seemed content keeping things casual, and it was starting to really hurt her.

"You and Ryan get along really well," Andrea said gently. "I've seen the way he looks at you when you're not paying attention."

"Yeah, but getting along isn't the same as... you know, whatever you and Gabe have." Megan sighed, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel in frustration. "It's like there's this invisible wall between us, and I don't know how to break through it."

Andrea frowned, thinking. "Maybe he just needs a little push. Have you tried talking to him about how you feel?"

Megan let out a short, humorless laugh. "Yeah, because that's gone so well in the past." She shook her head, her expression clouded with doubt. "Every time I try to get close, he pulls back. I don't want to push him away completely."

"I don't think you're doing anything wrong," Andrea said softly. "He's just... complicated, I guess."

Megan nodded, biting her lip. "I know. It's just... hard. I keep wondering what I'm doing wrong."

"You're not doing anything wrong," Andrea said firmly. "Maybe he just needs time to figure things out. You two have been friends for a while, right? He'll come around."

"Maybe," Megan murmured, though she didn't look entirely convinced. She sighed again and shot Andrea a small smile. "But enough about my depressing love life. How are things with you and Prince Charming?"

Andrea's cheeks warmed at the mention of Gabe. "Things are good. Really good, actually." She paused, smiling to herself as she thought about how they'd spent almost every day together since Homecoming—studying, talking, sneaking kisses when no one was looking. "It's like... he's different with me, you know? Not like the Gabe everyone else sees."

Megan glanced at her curiously. "How so?"

Andrea shrugged, searching for the right words. "He's more... I don't know, open? Vulnerable, maybe? He's still this confident, funny guy, but when it's just the two of us, he lets his guard down. It's like I get to see a side of him that no one else does."

"That's amazing, Andrea," Megan said softly, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks," Andrea murmured, feeling a flutter of warmth in her chest. "It's just—he's graduating soon, and I'm scared it's all going to change. I don't know what's going to happen to us."