Chapter 8
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Chapter 8: Unavoidable Encounters
Leah prided herself on being level-headed, but ever since Jackson’s arrival, she felt like her composure was slipping away, one stolen glance at a time.
The nagging sense of familiarity she felt whenever their eyes met wasn’t just unnerving—it was infuriating. She didn’t want to think about him, let alone feel her chest tighten every time his gaze lingered on her a moment too long.
To avoid the unsettling feelings he stirred in her, Leah made it her mission to steer clear of Jackson entirely.
Her avoidance began subtly. She chose seats on the far side of the classroom, ensuring a wall of other students separated them. In the hallways, she darted into side corridors or pretended to tie her shoelaces if she spotted him approaching. Even in the cafeteria, she kept her head low, eyes fixed on her tray as she hurried to a corner table.
But Jackson seemed to be everywhere. It didn’t matter if she was in the bustling hallways, the sunlit courtyard, or the crowded cafeteria—he was always there, his presence as constant as the hum of chatter around her. And every time she caught sight of him, her heart betrayed her, thudding against her ribs in a rhythm she couldn’t control.
One morning, as Leah and Sylvia strolled toward their classroom, the corridors buzzed with the usual chaos of students rushing to their next classes. Lockers slammed shut, voices echoed, and the faint smell of floor polish mixed with the aroma of coffee from the teacher’s lounge.
“You’re acting weird,” Sylvia said, breaking the noise with her sharp observation.
Leah tightened her grip on her books, her knuckles whitening. “I am not.”
“Oh, you are,” Sylvia countered, her tone dripping with amusement. She sidestepped a group of students and turned to face Leah with a knowing smirk. “You’ve been avoiding Jackson like he’s contagious. What’s going on?”
Leah’s jaw clenched. “Nothing’s going on.”
Sylvia arched an eyebrow, her grin widening. “Oh, really? Then why did you practically sprint out of the cafeteria yesterday when he walked in?”
“That was a coincidence,” Leah mumbled, her voice barely audible over the chatter around them.
Sylvia stopped abruptly, forcing Leah to halt too. She planted one hand on her hip, tilting her head as she scrutinized her friend. “And I suppose it’s also a coincidence that you’ve stopped sitting near the windows in class because that’s where he usually sits?”
Leah shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting to the polished tiles beneath their feet. “I just like my new seat better,” she muttered.
Sylvia’s smirk turned devilish. “You like him, don’t you?”
Leah’s head snapped up, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. “What? No!”
“Oh, come on,” Sylvia teased, stepping closer and nudging Leah’s arm with her elbow. “You’re all flustered, you’re avoiding him, and—”
“I don’t like him!” Leah interrupted, her voice louder than intended. Several students turned to look, and Leah wished the ground would swallow her whole. Lowering her voice, she added, “He’s just... annoying.”
Sylvia’s grin widened. “Annoying? Have you even talked to him?”
Leah opened her mouth to argue but stopped. Apart from the infirmary incident, she hadn’t exchanged more than a few words with Jackson.
“That’s what I thought,” Sylvia said triumphantly, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she continued walking.
Leah sighed and followed, her cheeks still burning.
When they reached the classroom, Leah slipped into her usual seat near the back, the worn wood of the desk cool beneath her palms. The hum of chatter filled the room, blending with the faint rustle of papers and the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock.
She let out a quiet breath of relief when she saw Jackson wasn’t there yet. Maybe she could get through the day without any awkward encounters.
Her hopes were short-lived.
“All right, class,” the teacher called, clapping her hands to silence the room. “We’re starting a group project today.”
A collective groan rose from the students, but Leah stayed silent, dread pooling in her stomach