Chapter 13: Two Can Play This Game

1.1K 38 2
                                    


It had been a full week since the internship announcement, and Estelle had thrown herself into her work, determined to forget everything that had happened between her and Celeste. She had stayed up late every night, working on cases, studying, and distracting herself from the gnawing sense of disappointment that still lingered.

In class, Estelle had taken a different approach. She refused to let her mind wander to Celeste or the tension that still simmered between them. If Celeste wanted to play the avoidance game, then two could play that way. Estelle didn't glance at her once, didn't engage with the cool looks or lingering glances that she could sometimes feel from the front of the room. Instead, she focused on the work—on what really mattered.

She had to, if she was going to move forward.

"Pierce isn't gonna last a week," Mia declared as they walked toward the café on campus. "Mark my words. The guy barely managed to keep his cool during the mock trial. You think he's going to survive working under Celeste Thorne in her actual law firm? No way."

Estelle let out a tired laugh, shaking her head. "Well, he got the internship, so I guess we'll see."

Mia snorted. "He only got it because you and Thorne have that whole... thing going on. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stood a chance. Seriously, he's going to be a nervous wreck after one meeting with her. You should've seen him sweating during class today. Poor guy can't handle the pressure."

Estelle knew Mia was probably right. Alexander Pierce, though sharp, had crumbled under pressure during their class trials. It had surprised a lot of people when his name was announced for the internship, but Estelle had her suspicions about why she hadn't been chosen. And it wasn't because she wasn't good enough.

The thought of it still left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Yeah, well, it's not my problem," Estelle said, her voice more dismissive than she meant it to be. "I'm just focusing on my own work. He can deal with Celeste's high standards on his own."

Mia gave her a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow. "Right. You've been working nonstop. I've barely seen you all week outside of class. And don't think I haven't noticed you're avoiding her."

Estelle sighed, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "I'm not avoiding her. I'm just... done with all of this. I'm not going to let whatever happened between us get in the way of my goals. I'm focusing on me."

Mia smirked. "Good for you. But don't think she hasn't noticed. I saw the way she looked at you in class today when you didn't even glance in her direction. She's not used to being ignored."

"Good," Estelle muttered, a small, defiant fire sparking inside her. "Two can play that game."

Mia let out a laugh, shaking her head in amusement. "Oh, this is going to get interesting. But seriously, Estelle, you're doing the right thing. Focus on your work. You don't need her approval. You're already kicking ass."

They reached the café and found a quiet table near the window, the sunlight filtering through the glass as students milled around outside. Estelle stared at her coffee for a moment, feeling the weight of Mia's words sink in. She knew she was doing the right thing by focusing on herself, by not letting Celeste's influence cloud her judgment. But a part of her—deep down—missed the intensity of those charged moments between them. The unresolved tension, the way Celeste looked at her like she was the only person in the room.

But she wasn't going to let that pull her back in. Not this time.

As if sensing her thoughts, Mia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand with a sly smile. "So, what's the next step, then? You keep ignoring Thorne, focus on your work... then what? You just move on?"

Estelle shrugged, though the question hung heavy in the air. "I guess so. I mean, what else is there to do? She made her choice. She didn't pick me, so now I focus on what's next."

Mia studied her for a moment, her teasing smile fading slightly. "But it's not just about the internship, is it?"

Estelle didn't answer right away. She wasn't sure how to respond. Yes, the internship was part of it—losing the position to Pierce stung, especially knowing that she had earned it. But it was more than that. It was the way Celeste had pushed her away, the way she had claimed that their connection was too complicated, too much for her to handle. And now, Celeste acted like none of it had ever happened.

It hurt more than Estelle wanted to admit.

"I don't know," Estelle said finally, her voice quiet. "But I'm done playing this game. If she wants to pretend nothing happened, fine. I'm done with it too."

Mia gave her a small nod, though there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "Just don't close yourself off too much, okay? I get it, she's been a total ice queen lately, but... I've seen the way you look when you talk about her. You care. And that's okay. Just don't let her take that from you."

Estelle smiled softly, appreciating Mia's words, even if she wasn't sure how to process them. "Thanks, Mia. I just... need a little space from it all, you know?"

"Totally get it," Mia said, leaning back in her chair. "And hey, maybe once Pierce inevitably implodes under Thorne's pressure, you'll get your shot after all."

Estelle let out a small laugh, though the thought lingered in the back of her mind. She wasn't counting on anything—especially not getting another chance with Celeste, professionally or otherwise.

The following days passed much the same as the week before. Estelle focused on her work, avoided eye contact with Celeste during lectures, and kept her head down. It was easier this way—avoiding the complicated mess that had become their relationship. Celeste, for her part, didn't reach out. She didn't make any more efforts to speak with Estelle, and the silence between them stretched on, becoming colder with each passing day.

But there were moments, brief and fleeting, when Estelle felt Celeste's eyes on her. In class, she could feel the weight of her professor's gaze, but she refused to acknowledge it. She refused to let herself fall back into that pattern, where every glance between them felt like a promise of something more.

Two could play this game.

One afternoon, Estelle walked into class a little earlier than usual, finding the lecture hall mostly empty except for a few scattered students. She took her usual seat, flipping open her notebook and preparing for the lecture. She hadn't even glanced toward the front of the room when she heard the sound of sharp, deliberate footsteps approaching.

"Miss Brooks," a voice said, cool and commanding.

Estelle's heart skipped a beat at the familiar tone. Slowly, she looked up and found herself face to face with Celeste Thorne. Her professor's expression was unreadable, her gaze steady but intense.

"I'll need to see you in my office after class," Celeste said, her voice calm, though there was an edge of something sharper beneath it.

Estelle blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, sure. Of course."

Celeste nodded curtly, her eyes lingering on Estelle for a moment longer than necessary before she turned and walked back toward the front of the room. Estelle watched her go, her mind racing.

Whatever was coming, it felt like the game was about to change.

Bound by law Where stories live. Discover now