Chapter 5 Pulling Away

Ella's POV

The worst part wasn't the insult.

It wasn't even the look of triumph on Abby's face after she threw it out, her friends laughing behind her like some twisted laugh track.

No, the worst part was that I wanted it to mean something. I wanted there to be some hidden reason behind her turning cold again, something deeper than just cruelty. Because if it didn't mean anything if that night at the café meant nothingthen I'd imagined it all. The softness in her voice. The shake in her hands. The way her eyes lingered just a second too long when she thought I wasn't watching.

I was stupid.

I should've known better.

"She's in your head," Lela said gently. "Like, full-on squatter situation."

"I'm aware." I flopped back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling like it had answers.

Kate walked in with a smoothie and handed it to me without a word. She always did thatshowed love in these tiny, practical ways that made me want to cry when I was low.

"You're being weird," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "And not your usual daydreaming-weirdo weird. Like, something's eating you up."

Lela dropped onto the beanbag beside the desk. "We're just trying to help, El. You've been spiralling since that café night. And the way Abby acted afterward?"

"Don't remind me."

Kate folded her arms. "So, tell us what happened. Like, really happened. Don't leave anything out."

I sat up slowly. "She kissed me. Almost. I don't even know. There was this... moment. She admitted she used to feel something for me in high school, and I believed her. And thenpoof. The next day, she called us names in front of everyone again like nothing happened."

"Damn," Kate muttered. "Emotional whiplash."

Lela frowned. "That's... actually kind of heartbreaking."

"I know I should hate her," I said, fingers tightening around the smoothie cup. "And part of me does. But the other part the traitorous, confused part wants to talk to her again. Wants to understand."

"That's the part of you that's too soft," Kate said. "That's the part we love but want to protect."

"She doesn't deserve your kindness," Lela added. "She never has."

They were right. Of course they were. Abby hadn't changed. Maybe I'd just projected too much onto her. Maybe that moment at the café was a fantasy wrapped in half-truths.

But maybe it wasn't.

And that maybe was what kept me up at night.

Abby's POV

I avoided the library now.

That used to be her spot. She'd sit by the window, headphones on, head bobbing as she scrolled through study notes. I used to scoff. Now I missed it missed the casual way she'd glance up and look through me like I wasn't even worth blinking at. Back then it annoyed me.

Now I craved it.

Because at least she was looking at me.

I saw her yesterday. She passed me by like I didn't exist. No reaction. No flicker of anger. No sarcasm. That hit harder than any insult.

She was done.

And I had no one to blame but myself.

"You're quiet," Julia said beside me, brushing lip gloss onto her bottom lip. "You're usually more fun before a party."

"Just tired," I mumbled.

She didn't press. No one really did. Not when you were the "fun" one. They didn't want your complicated truths. They wanted you to stay glossy and sharp, always ready to drag someone or down a shot. No one cared what was underneath.

Except maybe Ella.

And I'd ruined that

I kept thinking about the café. The way her fingers curled around her cup when I told her the truth. That wide-eyed surprise like no one had ever d...