What The Heck is Wrong With Love?!

CHAPTER 5

You know that feeling when you can't quite put your finger on why your chest feels tight and your stomach is all twisted? It's like there's this little storm brewing inside you, and it's so annoying because you can't even explain why it's happening. Well, I was definitely feeling that today.

And it all started when I saw Lauren talking to her.

Her being Belle McCain. The petite, long-haired, effortlessly charming girl who had every guy in school wrapped around her finger. And Lauren? Well, he was no exception.

I was walking down the hallway, minding my own business, when I spotted them. Lauren was leaning against a locker, his arms crossed, smiling that easy smile of his, while Belle stood a little too close, laughing at whatever he said.

I swear, it was like the air around them turned... charged. Belle's long hair cascaded over her shoulders as she tossed it back, and I could practically hear the "da-da-da-da!" music playing in the background as she flashed that perfect smile.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

What is this?

Lauren laughed at something Belle said, and I felt this strange tug in my chest. Was it jealousy? No. Couldn't be. I barely knew Belle. We weren't even friends. But there was something about the way she looked at him, the way she casually touched his arm, that made me feel... off.

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that she was so perfect-petite, with that innocent charm-or if it was because Lauren didn't seem to mind it. But I did not like the way my stomach churned every time she leaned in a little too close.

"Marie, are you okay?" Mae's voice broke through my mental chaos, and I jumped, not realizing I was practically glaring at Lauren and Belle.

"Yeah," I said quickly, trying to act casual. "Just... a little tired."

Mae didn't buy it. Of course, she didn't. "Sure, sure. Tired from watching Belle flirt with your crush?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

I nearly choked on my own breath. "What? I'm not... I'm not jealous, Mae!"

Mae gave me that look. The look that said You're lying, but she didn't push. Yet.

But I couldn't shake the feeling. My eyes kept darting back to them. Belle was practically staring up at Lauren with those wide eyes, and Lauren? He was laughing. He was always so friendly and easygoing-but I couldn't help feeling like there was something... off about it. Why was it so easy for him to get along with everyone else, yet when I wanted to have a conversation with him, I turned into a stuttering mess?

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Lauren suddenly turned and waved at me, the smile he gave me way too casual. "Hey, Marie! What's up?"

I felt my heart drop. "Oh, um, hey!" I said, way too loud and enthusiastic, trying to act like I wasn't dying inside. "Just, uh... surviving another day of school."

Lauren chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, that nervous habit of his. "Same here. But hey, Belle's been trying to drag me to a party this weekend."

What.

My head spun. A party? With Belle? Was he seriously asking me? Now?

"I don't know," I said, trying to sound cool about it, like I wasn't about to implode from the thought of Lauren partying with Belle. "I've got a test to study for."

Lauren shrugged, the smile still there. "Yeah, I get that. We all need to focus sometimes. But hey, if you're free after, we could hang out?"

I blinked. "Hang out?"

"Yeah. You know," Lauren said, casually glancing back at Belle, who was still standing there, watching us with a little too much interest. "We could grab some food or something. We don't have to study all weekend."

I opened my mouth, unsure whether to say something or just nod. "Yeah... sure. That sounds nice."

Lauren waved and walked back to Belle, who, I swear, was still watching me. And it was then that I realized something:

Lauren had no idea.

He was completely clueless.

Clueless that Belle was probably flirting with him. Clueless that I had been standing there, dying of jealousy as she smiled and batted her lashes. And clueless that I had feelings for him.

I sighed and glanced at Mae, who had been watching the whole thing unfold. "He's so dense," I muttered.

Mae couldn't contain her grin. "What do you mean? He asked you to hang out after the weekend. He's obviously interested."

I groaned. "He's just being nice."

Mae smirked. "Sure, sure. He's just being nice. But is that what you're telling yourself right now?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I just stared at Lauren as he walked away, Belle still trailing behind him, as if they were some sort of cute couple.

"I swear, Marie, you're so obvious," Mae said, patting me on the back. "You like him. And he's as clueless as a brick wall."

I huffed. "It's fine. I'll just keep pretending I'm not losing my mind every time he smiles."

But as I watched Lauren and Belle disappear into the crowd, I couldn't help but wonder: Did Lauren seriously not see it? Was he really that dense?

Maybe I'd never know. But I did know one thing for sure: I wasn't going to make it easy on him.

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