Two weeks had passed since Lyric and Mara's last long conversation about Dax. College was winding down, assignments piling up, and Lyric had been keeping herself busy with work and small errands to avoid thinking too much about the boy who had a way of sneaking into her thoughts.
It was a quiet Saturday morning, the kind where sunlight spilled lazily across her bed. Lyric had her laptop open and notes scattered around, pretending to revise, but every few seconds her eyes flicked to her phone. Her thumb hovered over the screen as if expecting a message to appear.
Her phone buzzed. Mara.
Mara: Morning, Lyric. I swear you've been quieter than usual. What's happening?
Lyric smiled faintly, trying to seem casual.
Lyric: Nothing much.
Mara: Nothing much? Uh-huh. That "nothing" usually comes with a grin. You've been smiling at your phone. Something happening, or just imagining things?
Lyric: I'm not smiling.
Mara: Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that.
Lyric let out a soft groan, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Lyric: It's just… random messages. Don't mean anything.
Mara: Random? And these "random" messages make you grin like a fool? That's what you're calling nothing?
Lyric hesitated, feeling heat creeping up her cheeks.
Lyric: I… maybe. But it's not serious.
Mara: I don't buy it. You're way too easy to read. And whoever is sending these messages? They're enjoying it.
Lyric shook her head, trying to push the thought aside.
Lyric: I'm not thinking about it that much.
Mara: Uh-huh. Sure. You've got that little glow in your messages that gives you away every time.
Lyric rolled her eyes, hugging a pillow to her chest.
Lyric: You're imagining things.
Mara: Nope. Facts. And if I'm right, you're going to realize how much before you even notice it.
Lyric snorted, but a small smile tugged at her lips.
Lyric: You're ridiculous.
Mara: Not ridiculous. Observant. And mark my words, Lyric, it's going to be entertaining watching you figure yourself out.
Lyric glanced at her phone again, heart flipping at the thought of another message. She told herself she wasn't thinking about him, but even as she tried to focus on her notes, a tiny part of her hoped her phone would buzz again.
Mara: And remember….if you start thinking about him too much, don't blame me.
Lyric set the pillow aside and let out a soft laugh.
Lyric: I won't.
-
A knock came at the door a few minutes later. Lyric groaned softly but didn't move immediately.
"Come in!" she called, hoping Mara wouldn't make a scene.
Mara pushed the door open without waiting, grinning.
"Lyric! You've been hiding. I need details. What's going on?"
"I'm not hiding," Lyric said, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to her chest.
"Oh really? You're glowing while pretending to work. That's not hiding?" Mara teased, dropping onto the floor beside the bed.
Lyric rolled her eyes.
"You're ridiculous."
Mara leaned back on her hands, studying her friend.
"I saw you yesterday when he texted you. That smile—you can't hide it. You're so easy to read."
Lyric felt heat rising in her cheeks and looked down at her notes.
"It's nothing," she mumbled.
"Nothing, huh?" Mara raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You laugh, you lean in, you grin. You're basically handing him your reactions on a silver platter."
"I'm not leaning in," Lyric said, trying to sound casual.
Mara laughed.
"Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that. I'll still notice every little thing."
From the hallway, Dax's voice floated past:
"Hey Mara! Don't trap her too much."
Lyric's stomach did a small flip. She gave a polite nod and smile as he walked by. Mara elbowed her lightly.
"See?" Mara whispered, grinning. "Caught you reacting."
"I'm not reacting," Lyric said quickly, trying to hide the flutter in her chest.
"You are," Mara said softly. "And you're going to be in for a lot more if you're not careful."
Lyric shook her head, laughing nervously.
"I can handle it. He's just Dax."
Mara smirked.
"Dax. Dangerous. Remember that."
Lyric's phone buzzed again, but when she looked, it wasn't from him. She let out a small sigh, trying to focus on her notes, but her fingers twitched, wanting to check again. Mara noticed but didn't comment, just gave her a knowing smile before standing.
"Keep pretending, Lyric. But I'm telling you, he's already messing with your head," Mara said, heading to the door.
Lyric set her phone down, trying to concentrate. She wasn't thinking about him—at least, not too much.