Insatiable (UNDERGOING REWRITES)

Chapter 24 : Nolan Daniels

It's been three days, and I haven't heard anything from Julian. I've been sending texts, calling, going up to him before and after classes. Even trying to catch him in the hallways or in his office. But he's always making up excuses or darting in the other direction. He's even completely ignored me once when I went up to his desk during class. I had been so close to just exposing our relationship then and there, about to plead or yell or just stand there until he explained himself.

But nothing.

He acts like I don't exist. And I've been trying to backtrack all that's happened the last few weeks, mostly the last few days to see what I could have done, but I can't come up with anything. But I'm sure I did or said something offhanded and had no idea it would piss Julian off.

I felt like before we kinda started dating when I was just the stupid student pursuing his professor.

Romance sucks.

"Lolan? Hey, are you sure you're okay?"

I looked over at Caleb, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, his hand hovering over my arm. I frowned down at it before Caleb quickly retracted his hand, folding both in his lap.

And I couldn't forget how strange Caleb has been acting. Today has been a better day. He's been a little more animated and actually conversing with me. But I still knew there was something he wasn't telling me. I couldn't pinpoint if it was something at home or another of his lows, or if it was something completely different. I didn't want to push him, but I also couldn't stand not helping him. I feel almost useless when he doesn't talk to me. I don't know what to do otherwise.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I told Caleb, giving him a smile.

He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment, but gave a shake of his head and looked away. "Well, come on, we're gonna be late for our next class."

And I finally noticed that half of the students in our creative writing class were already gone, the rest lingering and talking amongst themselves. I looked towards the front of the room where Julian was in the doorway to his office, talking to Mr. Cortez.

I waited to feel the bubbling of anger in my gut, but nothing came. Just a sour taste in my mouth and an oncoming sadness. But I quickly pushed that aside cause I was not about to feel sad about the guy that might be my boyfriend talking to a hot and older guy.

I followed Caleb out of the room, not looking at Julian as I went. We started walking down the hall when Caleb suddenly stopped, looked behind him and then at me.

"Sorry. You go ahead, I forgot my phone."

"I can wait––"

"No, no, it's fine. I'll catch up with you later."

And then Caleb was gone, rushing back into the classroom and I was left alone. I debated still waiting for him, but decided just to head to class. I'd see him before the game tonight I'm sure—he's always there to wish me good luck before all of my games.

Now it was just the rest of the day to go, by myself.

———

"What's the scheme today?" Daphne asked from where she hung halfway off the bed upside down. All her hair cascaded onto the floor, but she didn't seem bothered by it. Kyle sat across from her (legs at least), , his guitar in his lap like usual. He was strumming random cords together, occasionally shaking his head and starting a new tune.

"Just red and green."

"Our school colors? Boring."

"Hey, think of it as Christmas colors instead," Kyle said with a light slap on Daphne's leg. She tried to lift her head to look at her boyfriend but failed and flopped back down. In doing so, she slowly started to sink off the bed and onto the floor where she stayed in a heap. Kyle just laughed at her.