Book_Bound_Writer

Based on the first chapter: 

The story follows Morana Graves, a college student who's considered an outcast due to rumors and exaggerated stories about her past. She's a talented artist who finds solace in her sketchbook and the Ravenwood Café. However, her peaceful existence is disrupted when Astria Beaumont, the college's "golden girl," sits down at her table.

As they interact, Morana's defenses are slowly broken down, and she begins to experience unexpected feelings for Astria. Meanwhile, Aurelle, Astria's friend and potential love interest, seems to dislike Morana and spreads rumors about her.

The story appears to be a slow-burn romance with themes of self-discovery, societal pressure, and personal fear.

small town secret

I should have let Aurelle's ridiculous assumptions slide off me like water off a duck's back.

I should have ignored Hael's barely-contained laughter, Morana's confused gaze, and Aurelle's ever-growing smirk that screamed, I know something you don't want to admit.

I should have done a lot of things.

But instead, I crossed my arms and doubled down. "For the last time, I don't care what Morana does."

Aurelle leaned forward, her expression somewhere between smug and intrigued. "Really? Then why are you still here?"

Morana shifted uncomfortably, like she wasn't sure if she wanted to be part of this conversation anymore. Same, Morana. Same.

I cleared my throat. "I'm just making sure you don't get the wrong idea."

Aurelle hummed. "So you're here… to convince me that you don't care about Morana?"

Aurelle tilted her head, looking far too entertained. "You're putting in a lot of effort to convince me that you don't care, but not her. If you really didn't care, wouldn't you just… I don't know, ignore the whole situation?"

"Is it?" she asked, her voice carrying that infuriatingly knowing tone again.

Morana, still watching this exchange like an unfortunate bystander, sighed. "I don't know why I'm even part of this conversation."

"Because you're the reason we're having it," Aurelle said smoothly. "And because Astria seems to have a very hard time admitting how she feels about you."

"I don't have feelings for her," I snapped. "Not even a little bit."

Aurelle smirked. "Not even a little bit?"

She leaned in closer. "Not even, say… one percent?"

"Not even a teeny, tiny, microscopic fraction?"

Aurelle let out a thoughtful hum. "Interesting."

She grinned. "You're very defensive for someone who supposedly doesn't care."

Hael, who had been watching like an audience member at a soap opera, let out a low whistle. "She's got you there."

I turned my glare on him. "Shut up."

Morana, who had been eerily silent this whole time, finally spoke up. "…Are you two done?"

Aurelle shrugged. "I don't know. Are *you* convinced?"

"That Astria doesn't care," Aurelle clarified. "Because, personally? I'm not buying it."

Morana's eyes flickered to me, expression unreadable. "I don't really see how it matters."

But something about the flatness in her voice made my stomach twist in a way I wasn't prepared to deal with.

"I-It doesn't," I said quickly, before anyone could read too much into my reaction. "Because, again, I don't care."

Even Hael, who usually had the emotional intelligence of a brick, was looking at me like he knew things.

Time for Plan B— get the hell out of here.

I straightened my posture, forced my best unbothered look, and said, "Well, this has been fun, but I have better things to do."

Aurelle grinned. "Like staring longingly at Morana from a distance?"

I almost tripped over my own feet.

Hael wheezed. Morana blinked. Aurelle looked far too pleased with herself.

I turned on my heel and walked away, ignoring Hael's choked laughter behind me.

Even as I stormed off, even as I told myself that this was fine, that nothing was wrong, that Aurelle was just being annoying, one thought lingered in my head, refusing to be ignored:

Why does Morana not care if I care?

Chapter 22 – A Battle of Wits (That Astria Loses)