REJECTED BY MY FIRST LOVE, CHASED BY THE CAMPUS KING

could be comforting. That morning,

she was nervous. She had barely spoken to me since I told her I needed time. Every now and then, I caught her look

hree years, the same three years I had spent imagining what it would be like if he ever looked at me the w

I was too broke to buy lunch, and listened to me talk about Darian until she could probably recite my

ass?" she asked quie

bag, not looking at her. "I

li

I'm not angry in the way you think I am. I just... I don't know how

almost reached for her. But I couldn't take it back. I wasn't ready

left the room, the door

s shelves, no expectations that I should smile, and no one who needed me to explain why my heart f

lf that studying was working. Then I read the same parag

a kept a secret. That hurt too, but you don't have to decide what your friendship will become today.

book again

You're actua

le with a textbook pressed against her chest, her hair perfectly arran

smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I

s studied h

. Of c

mething in me snapped. I

ia

ugh she didn't t

for days you've barely spoken to me. Yesterday, you saw me in the hallway

ffened. "What mak

have a problem, say it. Do

g across her expression. "Do I have to explain ev

ve said hello. Tha

her gaze sharpened. "Who was the man

ompletely th

The one Bella and I saw dropping

nything. "I don't know. I didn't ask for his name. It was

a short, disbelieving laugh. "

ara's endless conversations about the handsome engineering geni

was Lucien? The Lucien

e to believe you just... got into h

looking for a lie, and that

rain. I could barely see properly. I didn't chase him. I didn't arrange t

or you in the first

sed to know? As

jaw tight. "I never s

"I came here to study, Kiara. If you have a problem with me, ju

e walked away, her footsteps s

mbling slightly. Whatever was happening between us, I

n Gi

attention at first. The library was filled with students,

ain, closer and more d

and ther

from t

I remembered beneath the umbrella. His dark hair was neat, his clothes immaculate, and his exp

m, my breath c

lightly. "Glad to see you rememb

before I could stop myself. "You

, almost imperceptibly

books. Someone at a nearby table whispered his name. Two girls exchanged a look that suggested they we

ooking for y

"Why? You've fou

sit, his hands resting lightly on its back. "Be

y damaged my ability to understand ordinary English.

... are you asking

as if he were stating a fact.

the room, Kiara had stopped walking, her face strangely pale, and near the library en

ying to keep my voice even.

ere the girl in the rain. And I know you didn't as

sking me for something?" I said. "That's a conversation we

"I don't. That's why I'm askin

walked into the library, interrupted my morning, called me Rain Girl, and aske

Cross, I think you've mistaken me for someone who has nothing better t

I have classes, assignments, and an entire life that doesn't revolve ar

ed me, quieter now, "Think about it, Rain Gi

enough to see him. "I'll think about why you believe you can walk u

ehind me, the library erupted into whisper

quiet morning was the last quiet morn