The words that was left unsaid

Chapter 4

The bell rang, signaling the start of second period. Rue slid into her seat at the back of the classroom, her eyes wandering as the other students filed in. Cara was already sitting beside her, as usual, flipping through a notebook and humming under her breath. Rue settled into her chair, pulling out her own notebook, but her thoughts kept drifting back to their conversation earlier.

The way Cara had smiled when Rue mentioned hanging out after school, the way her eyes had held a spark of something... she didn't want to overthink it, but the possibility, the hope, kept making her pulse race.

But then, the door to the classroom swung open, and Rue's thoughts were interrupted.

A new student walked in. He was tall, with messy brown hair and a confident stride. His eyes scanned the room for a moment before landing on the teacher, who gave him a quick, welcoming smile.

"Class, we have a new student joining us today," Mrs. Roberts announced, looking over at him with a nod. "Everyone, this is Jacob. He's just moved here from out of state. Let's all make him feel welcome."

Rue barely heard the rest of the introduction. Her attention was fixed on the new boy—Jacob. He had that typical new kid aura, like he knew everyone was watching him, but was too cool to care. His smile was easy, his eyes sparkling with an energy that instantly drew attention.

He was one of those people who walked into a room and immediately seemed to own it, and Rue could already feel the shift in the classroom atmosphere as everyone's attention subtly shifted to him.

But it wasn't just his presence that caught her attention. It was Cara's reaction.

Rue glanced sideways, her stomach tightening as she saw Cara's face. Cara's lips had parted slightly, her eyes wide with something that could only be described as curiosity—or maybe it was interest.

Rue's heart sank, a cold knot forming in her chest as she watched Cara sit up straighter in her seat, her full attention on the new boy as he made his way to an empty desk in the front of the room.

Why does she look like that?

Rue bit down hard on her bottom lip, fighting the sting of jealousy that flared up inside her. Cara had always been friendly, always warm and open to everyone, but there was something about the way she was looking at Jacob that made Rue feel exposed, like her own feelings—so carefully hidden—were suddenly laid bare for Cara to see.

Cara's gaze lingered on Jacob for a moment too long, and Rue couldn't help but notice how her lips curved slightly in the faintest of smiles. It wasn't just the friendly, casual smile Cara reserved for everyone. It was something different. Something... flirtatious.

Rue turned her head quickly, her eyes narrowing, trying to focus on the notebook in front of her. She felt her breath quicken. Why should it bother me? Rue thought, trying to push the feeling away. Cara allowed to be interested in him. She's allowed to talk to him. We're just friends.

But her thoughts felt twisted, as though her chest had tightened around a heavy weight she couldn't shake off. Her fingers gripped the edge of her desk, her knuckles turning white.

Cara was the center of attention everywhere she went, and Rue had always been okay with that. After all, they were best friends. But seeing her like this—eyes sparkling, that subtle excitement in her voice—it suddenly felt different.

The new kid, Jacob, shifted in his seat, his eyes flicking across the room. Cara, still watching him, didn't notice when their gazes briefly met. Rue, on the other hand, caught it—Jacob's eyes landing on Cara for a moment before moving quickly back to the front. The shift was so small, so subtle, but it felt like a crack had appeared in the delicate balance of Rue's world.

Did he notice her? Rue thought, the thought making her stomach churn. Of course he did. Who wouldn't?

Rue glanced at Cara again. She was still watching Jacob, her chin resting lightly on her hand, a soft smile playing on her lips. Rue could almost see the wheels turning in Cara's head, could almost hear her thinking about the conversation she'd have with him later, the way she'd make him laugh, the way she'd make him feel at ease. And it made Rue want to sink into the ground.

"Hey, Rue?"

Cara's voice broke through the haze of jealousy swirling in Rue's head. She blinked, realizing she'd been staring, her vision a little blurry as she snapped back to reality. Cara was looking at her, a faint wrinkle between her brows.

"You okay?" Cara asked, her voice soft, full of concern. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Rue shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Yeah, I'm fine."

But the words felt hollow, like they weren't her own. Cara didn't seem to notice, though. Her attention was already back on the front of the room, where Jacob was taking out his books, settling in for the lesson.

Rue bit her lip again, looking at her desk, trying to ignore the ache building in her chest. Why is this bothering me so much? she thought. It's just a new guy. He'll be gone in a few weeks, just like all the others. Why should I care?

But Cara... Cara had never looked at anyone like that. Not the way she was looking at him now. And Rue wasn't sure she could handle it.