Beneath the bet

Chapter 4 - Charlotte

The next morning, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Ever since Zach had started texting me the night before, I'd felt this weird mixture of excitement and confusion. I mean, I wasn't used to someone like him giving me attention—especially someone from Noah's group. It didn't add up. Why would Zach, of all people, want to talk to me? It didn't make sense, but I couldn't deny that it felt... nice. It was a break from the constant dread I usually felt at school, and that was rare enough for me to embrace it.

Still, I couldn't help but feel a little skeptical. People in Noah's group didn't do anything without a reason, and if there was one thing I'd learned from the last few years of high school, it was that trust was dangerous. People like Noah could smell weakness, and they exploited it. But Zach seemed different—or at least, he was acting different. I didn't know what to think anymore.

I'd just stepped out of the house, pulling my jacket tighter around me against the cool morning air, when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and saw Zach's name pop up.

Zach: Morning, Charlotte. You ready for another day of hell?

I couldn't help but smile a little. He had a way of making everything seem less serious, like maybe I didn't have to be on edge all the time. Maybe I could let my guard down, just a little.

Me: Barely. You?

He replied almost instantly.

Zach: Surviving. I'll save you a seat at lunch again?

That made me pause. Yesterday had been strange enough—Zach sitting with me, acting like we were friends. If he did it again today, people were definitely going to talk. I didn't know if I was ready for that kind of attention.

Me: Are you sure? People are going to think it's weird...

I waited for his response, my fingers hovering over the screen. A part of me was half-expecting him to back out, like maybe yesterday had just been a fluke and he didn't actually want to hang out with me again. But his reply came quickly.

Zach: Let them think what they want. Who cares?

That settled something inside me. He didn't seem to be playing some cruel game, at least not on the surface. And maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe not everyone was like Noah and his friends. I needed to stop being so paranoid, or I'd end up pushing away the first person in a long time who didn't treat me like a complete outsider.

I walked to school feeling a little lighter than usual, even if there was still a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me to be careful.

By the time lunch rolled around, I found myself hesitating outside the cafeteria doors, my stomach twisting in nervous knots. I spotted Daniel heading in ahead of me, and for a second, I considered joining him like usual. But then I remembered Zach's text, and before I could second-guess myself any more, I walked in and scanned the room.

Sure enough, Zach was sitting at the same table as yesterday, leaning back in his chair with that same easygoing smile. He caught my eye and waved me over, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Hey," he greeted me as I sat down, trying to ignore the stares from nearby tables. "Told you I'd save you a seat."

I smiled, a little shyly. "Yeah, thanks."

We started talking, and just like yesterday, it was surprisingly easy. He cracked jokes, made me laugh, and for the first time in a while, I didn't feel like I had to watch every word I said or guard myself against some hidden insult. It was... nice.

But it didn't take long before the stares became whispers. I could feel people's eyes on us, watching, trying to figure out what was going on. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Noah sitting with his crew a few tables away, leaning back in his chair, watching us. His gaze was sharp, intense, like he was sizing me up, trying to understand what Zach was doing. I quickly looked away, pretending not to notice, but the knot in my stomach tightened.