The walk to school felt longer than usual, like her feet were dragging her through mud. Every step felt like a reminder of the tangled mess of emotions inside her. When she reached the school gates, she saw Zayden talking to a group of friends near the front steps. He was laughing, easy and confident, just like he always was. But when his eyes met hers from across the courtyard, something shifted. He didn't smile, but there was a softness in his gaze that made Riley's heart flutter.
She wasn't sure what to make of the way he looked at her these days. It was as if he saw right through her walls, and that made her feel exposed.
She pushed the feeling aside and headed toward her locker, hoping she could shake off the heaviness in her chest. As she grabbed her books, she heard footsteps behind her.
"Riley."
She turned to see Zayden standing there, his expression serious. "Can we talk for a minute?"
She felt a lump form in her throat. The last thing she wanted was to have another conversation about them—not today. But she nodded, stepping aside so he could walk with her.
"Are you avoiding me?" Zayden asked quietly, his voice almost too soft for her to hear. "You've been distant lately, and I get it, but I need to know if you're pushing me away or if you're just… confused."
Riley's breath hitched. He always managed to put her on the spot like this, making her feel like her emotions were written on her face. She tried to brush it off with a casual shrug.
"I'm not avoiding you, Zayden," she said, keeping her tone light. "I've just been busy, you know? With school and everything."
Zayden didn't buy it. "You're a terrible liar, Riley."
She could hear the hint of a smile in his voice, but she didn't return it. "I'm not lying."
"Yes, you are," he pressed. "You've been keeping your distance. I can tell when something's off. What's going on?"
Riley sighed, her patience running thin. She wasn't ready for this conversation, but he wasn't going to let it go. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to find the right words.
"I'm just… I don't know what to do about this. About us," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "You keep saying that you're here for me, but I don't know if I can give you what you want. I'm not like the other girls you date. I don't have all the answers. And I'm scared that if I let you in, I'll just end up getting hurt."
Zayden's expression softened, and for a moment, it was like he could see right through her. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"Riley, I'm not asking for anything from you that you're not ready to give. I just want to be here for you. No pressure. But I'm not going anywhere, okay?"
She swallowed hard, his words settling into her chest like a weight. She had no idea if she could trust him—or if she even trusted herself enough to take that leap. But one thing was certain: Zayden wasn't going to give up. And as much as that scared her, it also made her heart flutter in a way she couldn't ignore.