𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭

four

Delphine

The campus courtyard is busy, full of students weaving around each other, voices overlapping in that usual midday chaos.

I spot Eliza sitting on one of the benches near a tree, looking perfectly in place with her bright smile and effortless ease. She waves me over, and I slip through the crowd, keeping my head down to avoid getting caught in anyone else's nonsense.

I drop down next to her, slinging my bag at my feet. "Why are we sitting out here?" I mutter, taking in the swarm of people. "It's loud, crowded, and smells like everyone's perfume and cologne mixing into some nightmare blend."

Eliza just laughs. "Because it's nice outside? You could use a little sunlight, Dels. I'm worried you're becoming one with the shadows."

I roll my eyes, but there's a twitch at the corner of my mouth. "Great. I'll be the next ghost sighting on campus."

Eliza laughs again, but it's softer this time, like she's looking at me and seeing through the armor I keep up. She sets her lunch down and unwraps a sandwich, glancing over at me as she starts to eat. "So, how was practice this morning?"

"Same as usual," I say with a shrug, brushing off the question. "Early, cold, just how I like it." I rummage through my bag, pulling out an apple, and take a bite.

We sit there for a few minutes in a comfortable silence, watching people pass by. Every now and then, someone waves to Eliza, and she waves back, all friendly and cheerful. They ignore me, and that's how I prefer it. 

"You know, you don't have to keep everyone at arm's length," Eliza says eventually, looking at me with that warm, concerned look that makes me squirm.

I roll my eyes, scoffing. "Please. Like I need half these people hanging around, pretending to care. They only see what they want to see. It's easier this way."

Eliza just sighs, a little sad but mostly understanding. She knows I'm not one for small talk or pretending to be someone I'm not. It's part of why we get along so well—she doesn't push me, even if she wishes I'd open up more.

"Anyway, how's Mr. Hockey going?" I ask, deflecting. "You're still with Ethan?"

She nods, a shy smile spreading across her face. "Yeah, he's... actually really sweet, you know? Not as cocky as you'd think. Well, okay, he is, but it's part of his charm." She laughs, and it's genuine, the kind of laugh you can't fake. 

I shake my head, half-amused, half-exasperated. "If you say so. He's still a hockey guy, Eliza. They're all the same." 

"Not all of them," she argues, nudging me with her shoulder. "They're not as bad as you think. Besides, they're just... confident."

"Confident, arrogant. Same thing," I shoot back, taking another bite of my apple.

We keep talking, or mostly she does, filling the air with her chatter about classes, her routines, and how she's thinking of trying out a new jump she's been working on. It's nice, in its own way.

I don't mind sitting here, letting her voice drown out the world around us, watching the blur of people go by.

At one point, she gives me that serious look again. "You know, Dels, you don't have to keep this wall up all the time. Not with everyone." 

I shrug, nonchalant. "Walls are there for a reason, Eliza." 

She shakes her head, but her eyes soften. "Just... don't let them close you off completely, alright?"

I don't answer, choosing instead to glance away, watching a couple of hockey players in the distance laughing about something. It's better to keep those walls up than to let them crumble for people who don't even look twice.