Love Her, Not Me

Chapter 4: "Cracks in the Facade"

Note:
"I had an idea, my break was extended so I had some time to make chapter 4, Thanks for reading this!! I appreciate
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Chapter 4: "Cracks in the Facade"

The days after the mentorship session were difficult for Ray. He tried to bury himself in his usual routine-studying, sitting with Matthew during lunch, and avoiding attention as much as possible. But no matter how much he tried, thoughts of Skyler and the unspoken tension between them lingered. It wasn't that they'd argued directly, but their avoidance of each other spoke volumes.

Matthew wasn't blind to Ray's change in behavior.

"Something's off with you," Matthew said as they walked to their next class.

Ray glanced at him but quickly looked away. "I'm fine."

Matthew stopped walking, grabbing Ray by the arm to make him stop too. "No, you're not. I can tell. What's going on?"

Ray hesitated. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say them. Not when everything about Skyler had to stay hidden. "It's just... stuff," he mumbled, brushing Matthew off.

"Stuff," Matthew repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That's all I'm getting?"

Ray sighed, his gaze fixed on the floor. "It's complicated."

Matthew opened his mouth to press further, but the bell rang, cutting the conversation short. Ray was relieved, but the weight of his secret remained heavy.

---

Things came to a head during lunch the next day. Ray and Matthew were seated at their usual table when a group of seniors walked past, laughing and chatting loudly. Skyler was among them, his presence as commanding as ever.

"Hey, Skyler," one of his friends said, nudging him. "What's with that freshman over there? He's always so quiet. Kinda weird, right?"

Ray felt his heart sink as the senior gestured vaguely in his direction.

Skyler glanced over, his face unreadable. "Freshman are all weird," he said casually, earning laughs from the group. "I don't really keep track."

Ray looked away quickly, his chest tightening. He wasn't sure if Skyler had meant to hurt him, but the words stung regardless.

Matthew, who had been watching the exchange, frowned. "Did you hear that? He just brushed you off like you're nothing."

Ray shook his head, trying to play it cool. "It's whatever. I don't care."

"You should care," Matthew said, his voice firm. "That guy acts like he owns the school. Who does he think he is?"

"Just drop it," Ray muttered, focusing on his lunch even though he'd lost his appetite.

---

That afternoon, Ray found himself lingering near the track field after school. He wasn't sure why he'd wandered there, but part of him hoped to confront Skyler. He didn't have to wait long.

"Ray," Skyler called out, jogging over as his teammates finished practice. He looked confused but concerned. "What are you doing here?"

Ray crossed his arms, his expression tense. "Just walking. Not like I came here to see you."

Skyler frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Ray said sharply, "that I heard what you said at lunch."

Skyler stiffened, his expression faltering. "Ray-"

"You acted like you didn't even know me," Ray interrupted, his voice rising. "Like I'm just some random nobody to you."

Skyler sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're overreacting. I didn't say anything bad, did I?"

Ray's fists clenched at his sides. "That's not the point. You could've stood up for me, but instead, you brushed me off. Like always."

Skyler's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet. "You think I don't care? I'm doing this for you, Ray. If people find out we're related, they'll start comparing us, judging you based on me. I'm trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" Ray scoffed, his voice filled with disbelief. "By pretending I don't exist? Some protection."

Skyler looked away, guilt flashing across his face. "I didn't mean for it to feel like that. I just... I don't want you to deal with the crap I had to deal with."

Ray stared at him, his anger slowly giving way to something else. "Maybe I don't care about all that. Maybe I just want you to treat me like I matter."

Skyler's shoulders slumped, and for the first time, he looked truly unsure of himself. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't realize how much it was hurting you."

Ray didn't respond immediately. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say, or even if there was anything to say. But as he turned to leave, he paused, glancing back at Skyler.

"Just... think about it," he said. "That's all I'm asking."

Skyler nodded, his expression somber. "I will."

---

The walk home was quiet, but Ray's mind was anything but. He didn't know what the future held for him and Skyler, but for the first time, he felt like there was a chance they could find some common ground.

For now, that was enough.