Lunch Break
The cafeteria was louder than usual.
Monday rumors had turned into Tuesday conversations. People weren't whispering anymore. Now they were openly discussing things like they were talking about a TV show.
Andrea hated it.
She sat with Teresa and Diana at their usual table, pushing food around her plate more than actually eating it.
Teresa leaned closer.
"People are staring again."
Andrea sighed.
"They've been staring for three days."
Diana glanced across the cafeteria.
"Well… that doesn't help."
Andrea followed her gaze.
Samuel was sitting with his friends near the windows, leaning back in his chair while someone told a story.
But he wasn't fully paying attention.
He was looking at Andrea.
The moment their eyes met, Samuel raised his cup slightly like a silent greeting.
Andrea rolled her eyes and looked back down.
Teresa noticed.
"Oh my god."
Andrea groaned.
"What."
"You two have tension."
Diana nodded dramatically.
"Extreme tension."
Andrea grabbed her fork.
"We do not."
Teresa smirked.
"You absolutely do."
Andrea opened her mouth to argue—
"Paisley."
Andrea froze.
That voice.
Matthew.
He stood beside the table now, one hand resting awkwardly on the back of a chair.
Teresa and Diana both looked like they had just witnessed a celebrity walking up to them.
"Hi," Teresa said quickly.
Matthew nodded politely.
"Hey."
Then he looked at Andrea.
"Can we talk?"
Andrea stared at him for a second.
Teresa kicked her lightly under the table.
Andrea sighed and stood up.
"Fine."
The Hallway
The hallway outside the cafeteria was quieter.
Andrea crossed her arms.
"What."
Matthew rubbed the back of his neck.
"You always start conversations like that?"
"Yes."
Matthew sighed.
"Okay… fair."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Matthew said quietly,
"You've been avoiding me."
Andrea laughed.
"You told me the kiss meant nothing."
Matthew frowned.
"That's not what I said."
"That's exactly what you said."
Matthew looked frustrated.
"You were drunk."
Andrea stared at him.
"So what?"
Matthew hesitated.
Andrea shook her head.
"You know what, never mind."
"Andrea—"
"No," she interrupted. "You made your point."
Matthew stepped closer.
"I just didn't want things to get complicated."
Andrea laughed again.
"Too late."
Matthew ran a hand through his hair.
"I didn't mean to hurt you."
Andrea looked at him.
Something about his expression made her chest tighten again.
But she forced her voice to stay calm.
"You didn't hurt me."
Matthew studied her face.
"You're lying."
Andrea shrugged.
"Maybe."
Before Matthew could say anything else—
A voice behind them said casually,
"Am I interrupting something emotional?"
Samuel.
Of course.
Andrea turned.
Samuel leaned against the locker behind them, watching the scene like it was entertainment.
Matthew's expression hardened slightly.
Samuel noticed immediately.
"Relax," he said. "I was just passing by."
Andrea sighed.
"Can you two not do this right now?"
Samuel smirked.
"I didn't start anything."
Matthew crossed his arms.
"You usually do."
Samuel raised his eyebrows.
"Oh?"
Andrea pinched the bridge of her nose.
"This is exhausting."
Samuel glanced between them.
Then he looked at Matthew.
"You wanted to talk to her, right?"
Matthew didn't answer.
Samuel shrugged.
"Then talk."
Andrea looked at Samuel.
"Why are you helping?"
Samuel smirked.
"I'm not."
Then he pushed himself off the locker.
"But lunch is ending, so hurry."
And he walked away.
Later That Day
School ended quietly.
Andrea walked outside alone, her backpack hanging from one shoulder.
Her head felt full.
Matthew's words.
Samuel defending her earlier.
Everything felt tangled.
She walked toward the bus stop slowly.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Samuel again.
Andrea didn't even turn around.
"You follow people a lot."
Samuel walked beside her.
"I live this way too."
Andrea glanced at him.
"That's unfortunate."
Samuel chuckled.
They walked for a moment in silence.
Then Samuel said suddenly,
"You didn't answer him."
Andrea frowned.
"Answer what?"
Samuel shrugged.
"Whatever he wanted."
Andrea kicked a small stone on the sidewalk.
"I didn't feel like it."
Samuel nodded slowly.
"Good."
Andrea looked at him.
"Why?"
Samuel smirked slightly.
"Because Neyman looks confused."
Andrea laughed despite herself.
"You're evil."
Samuel shrugged.
"I'm honest."
They reached the corner where their paths separated.
Samuel stopped walking.
Andrea continued a few steps before turning back.
Samuel was watching her again.
"Try not to start a fight tomorrow," he said.
Andrea smiled slightly.
"No promises."
Samuel nodded once.
Then he walked away.
Andrea stood there for a moment longer.
Her life used to feel simple.
Lonely.
Predictable.
Now everything felt different.
Messier.
But strangely…
More alive.