Torn Between Rivals

11.

I walk into English class, still half awake, and slide into my usual seat near the window. The sun's light streams in, making it hard to concentrate. I feel the warmth on my face and start daydreaming, but the teacher's voice cuts through.

"Alright, today we're diving into Romeo and Juliet."

Great, more old English I can barely understand. I pull out my book, pretending to follow along, but my mind drifts to something else. What would Oakley think about all this romantic tragedy nonsense? I smirk, imagining him rolling his eyes. He'd probably say something sarcastic about how Shakespeare should've made them talk it out like normal people. I make a mental note to ask him later.

The bell rings, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I hurry out of the room, clutching my books to my chest. Next up: Math. My least favorite.

In Math, the equations on the board might as well be in a foreign language. I glance at the clock-still 40 minutes left. Ugh. I doodle on the corner of my notebook, trying to make it look like I'm solving problems. Numbers and symbols blur together until the teacher calls on me to solve one. Panic flashes through me. I shoot a quick look at my friend, hoping for some help, but the teacher's glare says it all. No help allowed.

I stand up, pretending to know what I'm doing as I slowly approach the board. Okay, Aurora, you've got this. I attempt the equation. It's wrong, of course. The teacher corrects me, and I sit back down, relieved to blend back into the class.

Finally, science. At least this subject is bearable. We're learning about ecosystems today. I like the way science makes sense of things, like a puzzle. It feels like there's an answer if you look closely enough. The teacher talks about food chains, and I think about how everything is connected. Kind of like Oakley, Ben, and me. We're all part of our own little system, even if it's a weird one.

The lunch bell rings, and I make my way through the bustling crowd of students, holding my drink awkwardly. I spot cj waiting near the door of the cafeteria, leaning against the wall like he's been standing there forever. His dark hoodie is pulled up, and he gives me a nod when he sees me coming.

"Hey," I say as I approach, trying to act casual, but my voice sounds a little too eager. cj just smirks and nods toward the hallway.

"Come on," he says, his voice low. "I found a better spot."

Better than the usual hideaway by the lockers? I raise an eyebrow but follow him without hesitation. cj always seems to know where to go, like he has the entire school mapped out in his head. We weave through the crowd until he leads me down an unfamiliar corridor, one that looks like it's barely used.

The hallway is dimly lit, with peeling paint on the walls and old posters from last year's events still hanging around. It's quiet, way too quiet compared to the chaos of the cafeteria. cj stops in front of a door I've never noticed before. It's slightly ajar, leading to a narrow space that looks like some kind of storage room-or maybe a forgotten corner of the school.

"Here," he says, pushing the door open a little wider.

I step inside, and it feels like a completely different world. The sound of distant chatter fades, replaced by the soft hum of the school's ancient ventilation system. There's nothing in here except an old bench and some abandoned school supplies. I sit down on the bench, setting my tray beside me.

cj leans against the wall, crossing his arms, his usual cool expression in place. I can't tell if he's bored or just...cj.

"Why this place?" I ask, eyeing the room curiously.

He shrugs. "No one comes here. It's quiet."

I nod, picking at the corner of my sandwich, feeling a strange mix of relief and curiosity. There's something about this spot, about being away from the noise, that feels oddly comfortable. I glance at cj. He's staring out at the hallway, lost in his thoughts, or maybe just avoiding eye contact. I can never tell with him.