Chapter Three — Almost Friends (But Not Really)
The next morning hits harder than my alarm.
And that's saying something, because my alarm is basically a dying cat remix.
I stare at my reflection — messy bun, tired eyes, a hoodie that's been through emotional damage. Yeah. Perfect representation of my soul.
Yesterday was… weird. Not the usual "Watson ruins my day" kind of weird. More like… "Why did he notice my socks?" weird.
Who does that? Who pays that much attention?
I shake the thought out of my head and shove my math book into my bag. Aries is already in the kitchen, sipping his coffee like a man who's got life figured out.
"Morning, math genius," he teases.
"Don't start," I warn, grabbing an apple.
"Still mad about the sock incident?"
I glare at him. "It wasn't an incident."
He grins. "Keifer thinks otherwise."
"Keifer can think whatever he wants," I snap. "Preferably nothing."
He laughs, and Mom gives me the don't-bite-your-brother look. I sigh and head out before I say something I'll regret.
At school, the air feels different. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's me overthinking again. Maya waves from near our lockers, holding two coffees.
"My savior," I say, taking one.
"Of course," she smiles. "You looked like you needed caffeine and therapy."
"I'll take both."
We laugh, and it almost feels like a normal day — until he walks in.
Keifer. Hoodie, backpack slung carelessly, that same smug aura like he owns the hallway.
He spots me instantly. Great.
"Morning, Mariano," he says, strolling over.
"Watson." I nod curtly, pretending my heart isn't suddenly confused about its rhythm.
He raises an eyebrow. "No witty insult today? You sick or something?"
"Just saving my energy for people who matter."
"Ouch," he says with a smirk, pressing a hand to his chest. "You wound me."
"Not enough."
He chuckles, backing away. "Try harder next time."
Maya leans toward me the second he's gone. "You guys are impossible."
"He's impossible," I correct.
"You're both impossible together," she says, and the way she says it makes my stomach flip. I ignore it.
First period drags, second period worse. By the time lunch rolls around, I'm done with school, humanity, and Keifer's face.
Except guess who ends up at our lunch table because the cafeteria's "packed"?
You guessed it. The human headache himself.
Maya gives me a warning look, but it's too late.
"Don't tell me you're sitting here," I say, stabbing my salad like it personally wronged me.
"Relax, Mariano. It's a free table," Keifer says, sitting across from me like this isn't a personal attack. "Besides, I like the company."
I snort. "You like torturing me."
"Same thing," he says, grinning.
Maya chokes on her juice. "You two seriously need therapy."
We bicker through half of lunch — about music, grades, literally the shape of chicken nuggets. It's ridiculous. But there's something different in the air this time. He's teasing, but not cruel. I'm irritated, but not furious.
When he laughs — really laughs, not his usual sarcastic one — I almost forget to hate him.
Almost.
The bell rings, and we all stand. He grabs his tray, pauses, then looks at me.
"Nice hoodie, Mariano," he says.
I blink. "Why?"
He smirks. "It's not mismatched like your socks."
I groan as he walks off, laughing to himself.
Maya nudges me. "You know he likes you, right?"
I scoff. "Please. He likes annoying me."
"Maybe both," she says, smiling like she knows something I don't.
I roll my eyes, but the truth is — the moment he smiled, something in my chest did skip.
And I hate that I noticed.
That night, as I lie in bed scrolling through nothing, I catch myself thinking about his stupid grin again. His voice. His laugh.
I toss my phone aside and bury my face in my pillow.
"Nope," I whisper to the dark. "Not happening. I still hate him."
But maybe — just maybe — I'm starting to hate him a little less.
Chapter written by Ayesha.