Chapter Eight

The atmosphere in the marriage practical units had shifted. A tangible undercurrent of curiosity and speculation followed Jamie and Sandra as they navigated their newly formed partnership. For Jamie, being with Sandra felt like stepping back into a comfortable, familiar rhythm. They shared inside jokes, reminisced about old times, and worked together with an almost effortless understanding.

Yet, a subtle unease lingered beneath the surface of Jamie's contentment. He couldn't shake the memory of Annabella's unreadable expression when Principal Thompson had announced the swap. He found himself glancing towards Unit 7 more often than he cared to admit, wondering how she was coping with being… alone?

He didn't have to wonder for long. The next challenge was a 'couples' cooking competition, and despite the temporary reassignment, Principal Thompson decreed that all pairings, even the newly formed ones, would participate.

As Jamie and Sandra stood at their assigned cooking station, a flurry of controlled chaos surrounding them, Annabella walked in with Cathy. She wasn't alone. Greg, Jamie's goofy best friend, was by her side, a nervous but excited grin plastered on his face. Apparently, the temporary void in pairings had led to a reshuffling, and Greg, much to his delight, had been paired with Annabella.

Annabella's usual vibrant energy seemed… muted. She offered Jamie a small, almost hesitant smile as she and Greg set up their station across from them. Greg, however, was his usual boisterous self, cracking jokes and trying to engage Jamie in conversation.

"Dude, crazy turn of events, huh?" Greg said, expertly chopping an onion while simultaneously trying to flirt with Cathy, who was calmly organizing their ingredients. "So, you and Sandra! Full circle, man! And me and Annie here are gonna whip up a culinary masterpiece!"

Annabella just offered a weak smile and focused on her own ingredients, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. Jamie couldn't help but notice that she seemed… distant.

Working with Sandra in the cooking competition was surprisingly enjoyable. Their shared history translated into an intuitive understanding in the kitchen. They moved in sync, anticipating each other's needs, and their final dish – a nostalgic recreation of a meal their families used to share – was met with positive feedback from the judges.

But Jamie's attention kept drifting towards Annabella's station. She and Greg were a study in contrasts. Greg's enthusiastic but occasionally clumsy approach clashed with Annabella's quiet precision. He saw Greg try to initiate a high-five, only to be met with Annabella's absentminded air five.

During a brief lull in the cooking, Jamie found himself making eye contact with Annabella. Her gaze was direct, almost piercing, and for a fleeting moment, he saw a flicker of something in her eyes that he couldn't quite decipher – a hint of… longing? Confusion? He wasn't sure. Then, Greg said something that made her offer a polite smile, and the moment was gone.

Later that evening, the 'couples' were tasked with a 'romantic stroll' through the school gardens, another opportunity to earn points for displaying affection. Jamie walked beside Sandra, their conversation comfortable and easy, their hands occasionally brushing in a familiar way. Yet, the forced romanticism of the task felt… slightly off.

He saw Annabella and Greg a short distance away. Greg was animatedly gesturing and talking, while Annabella walked beside him, her gaze often drifting towards the flowerbeds, her expression pensive. There was a noticeable lack of the playful teasing and vibrant energy he had come to associate with her.

As their paths briefly intersected near a rose bush, Annabella's eyes met Jamie's again. This time, there was a definite sadness in their depths, a vulnerability that Jamie hadn't seen before. It was a look that tugged at something within him, a feeling he couldn't quite name.

He offered her a small, questioning smile. Annabella offered a weak one in return before turning her attention back to Greg.

That night, as Jamie lay in the unfamiliar bed in Unit 8, his thoughts were a tangled mess. He was finally with Sandra, the girl he had longed for. And yet… he couldn't shake the image of Annabella's sad eyes. The unexpected connection they had forged in their brief, accidental 'marriage' seemed to have left a residue, a lingering awareness that complicated his long-held desires.

Across the way in Unit 7, Annabella stared out the window at the dimly lit school grounds. The initial sting of being separated from Jamie had given way to a confusing mix of emotions. Seeing him with Sandra should have been what she wanted for him, what she was working towards. But instead, it stirred a strange sense of… loss. And Greg, while sweet and funny, wasn't Jamie. Not at all.

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