small town secret

(Morana's POV)

I wasn't avoiding Astria.

Nope. Definitely not.

I just happened to take different routes to class. I just happened to leave the coffee shop the second I saw that perfect blonde head walk in. I just happened to skip lunch in the courtyard, where she always seemed to materialize next to me like an annoying ghost.

It wasn't avoiding. It was strategic distance.

…Right?

"You're being weird," Hael said, slurping their smoothie obnoxiously as they sprawled across my bed.

I shot them a glare. "I'm always weird."

"Yeah, but this is different," they said, jabbing a finger at me. "This is 'I made an enemy, but now my heart is acting stupid' weird."

I froze mid-page flip in my sketchbook.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Hael smirked. "Oh, you know. A certain golden-haired pain in the ass that you've been avoiding all week."

I scowled. "I am not avoiding her."

"Really?" They raised a brow. "Then why did you literally dive behind a bookshelf when she walked into the library yesterday?"

I clenched my jaw. "That was tactical maneuvering."

Hael snorted. "Yeah, okay, soldier. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

I hated them.

But also… I hated that they weren't exactly wrong.

---

Later – Campus Courtyard

The universe was a cruel bitch.

Because, despite my best efforts, here she was.

Astria stood by the fountain, chatting with some of her perfect, polished friends. Her laugh rang through the air, effortless as always, but I caught something off in her smile.

Like it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Like maybe she was putting on a show.

And before I could stop myself, before I could turn away and escape, her gaze landed on me.

Her entire face lit up.

Like she was actually happy to see me.

And then—because she was the absolute worst—she raised a hand and waved.

At me.

In front of everyone.

Oh, hell no.

I spun on my heel and walked the other way.

"Morana!"

I gritted my teeth. Keep walking. Ignore her.

But, of course, she didn't let me.

A second later, she fell into step beside me, matching my pace like we did this all the time.

"You're avoiding me," she said, sounding amused.

I scoffed. "Wow, you're delusional."

She smirked. "I prefer 'observant.'"

"Well, you're wrong," I muttered. "I just have better things to do than entertain Little Miss Perfect all day."

Astria hummed. "That's funny. Because last week, you seemed to enjoy my company a lot."

I clenched my jaw. "I was tolerating you."

"Uh-huh." She shot me a knowing look. "And what about my hoodie? Still holding onto that?"

I stopped walking.

She grinned. "Gotcha."

I turned to her, crossing my arms. "Do you enjoy annoying me?"

"Immensely," she said without hesitation.

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "You're exhausting."

"And you're still here, talking to me," she pointed out, tilting her head. "Makes you wonder… who's really avoiding who?"

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

Because I had no good answer.

And that realization pissed me off more than anything.