Chapter 23 – Slipping Away

(Astria's POV)

At first, I didn't notice.

Or rather, I pretended not to notice.

Because it was easier that way.

Easier to ignore the way Morana suddenly stopped meeting my gaze in the hallways.

Easier to act like I didn't care when she no longer lingered near me when our paths crossed.

Easier to brush it off when I'd catch myself looking for her—only to realize she was already gone.

Morana was avoiding me.

And it was driving me insane.

"Are you okay?" Hael asked one afternoon, watching me as I poked at my lunch without eating a bite.

I scoffed. "Of course I'm okay."

Hael hummed in that obnoxiously knowing way of his. "Uh-huh. And this sudden, very obvious mood shift has nothing to do with Morana ignoring you?"

My hand twitched around my fork. "She's not ignoring me."

"Really?" He propped his chin on his hand, amused. "Because I was pretty sure she just walked in, took one look at you, and immediately turned the other way."

I stiffened.

I hadn't noticed.

I hadn't even seen her come in.

Hael smirked. "Ohhh, you hate that, don't you?"

I shoved my tray away and stood up. "Shut up."

"You used to be the one ignoring her, but now? She's doing it to you. And it's killing you."

"I said shut up."

But Hael wasn't done. "What are you gonna do about it?"

I faltered. "Do?"

He leaned forward. "You can't just let her slip away, can you?"

I opened my mouth. Then closed it.

Because… what was I supposed to do?

Morana was finally doing what I had wanted all along—leaving me alone.

So why did it feel like I was the one being left behind?

(Morana's POV)

Avoiding Astria was supposed to make things easier.

It was supposed to help me move on, to stop caring about her stupid perfect face, her stupid perfect life, and the way my stupid heart kept reacting to her.

But, instead, it just felt worse.

I wasn't free of her. If anything, I was more aware of her than ever.

Like now—she was across the quad, standing with Hael, and I could feel her looking at me even before I turned my head.

I met her gaze for exactly one second before turning away.

My chest felt tight.

"Morana?" Hael's voice cut through my thoughts. I didn't even realize he had walked up to me. "Come with me."

I frowned. "Why?"

"Because I said so." He grabbed my wrist, dragging me along before I could protest.

And then—suddenly—I was standing in front of her.

Astria crossed her arms, lips pressing into a thin line. Hael let go of me and stepped back, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

"Talk," he said simply, before striding off and leaving us alone.

I clenched my fists. "What the hell, Hael?"

Astria exhaled sharply. "You've been avoiding me."

"No, I haven't," I lied instantly.

She shot me a flat look. "Morana."

I turned away. "I don't have time for this."

She grabbed my wrist before I could walk off. "Then make time."

I froze.

My pulse betrayed me, picking up speed at her touch. Her grip wasn't forceful, but it was firm. Desperate.

I turned back to her, heart pounding. "Why do you care?"

Astria hesitated. She opened her mouth. Then, for once, she didn't have an answer.

She let go.

And without another word, I walked away.