Unwritten Desires

Eleanor 

The other students in the room were either still studying or scrolling through their phones, the quiet hum of the classroom making it easy to relax. But just as I let my head fall back against the chair, Sofia suddenly turned towards me.

"Let's get snacks."

I turned my head to look at her. "Snacks?"

She nodded, already gathering her things. "Yeah, I need sugar if I'm going to survive this."

I exhaled through my nose, amused. "I thought you were too tired to even walk a few seconds ago?"

"I was tired of reading duh, not getting snacks." She slung her bag over her shoulder and stood up, giving me no choice but to follow. "That's such a ridiculous thing to ask." She smiled with an eye roll. 

With a shake of my head, I packed up as well, shoving my notebook into my bag before we slipped out of the classroom.

The hallway was quiet, mostly empty except for a few students walking past. The vending machines were down the hall, right near one of the more crowded parts of the building. As we walked, Sofia kept talking about how she was sure our professor was trying to kill us with all the work, and I was only half-listening, my thoughts somehow stuck on a certain guy with dark hair and a shitty personality.

Apparently I hadn't seen him in school today which was weird since he always found the stupidest reasons to be around Sofia and I…particularly me though. 

But then again…he did have things going on so maybe that was why he skipped school. 

It was a good thing for me though, at least now I didn't have to bother about that piercing gaze of his and him railing behind me or sitting near me in class. 

I'm surprised he even trusted me enough to leave me for a whole day. 

A small smile played on my lips. 

What a stupid guy. 

He's just lucky that I'm not the type to go back on my word if not….

"Ow…" I winced out when I felt my head collide with something hard. "Damn it." I cursed, looking up to see Naomi also holding onto her head with one of her eyes closed. 

Apparently I had been too lost in my thoughts to pay attention to where I was going and Sofia was too engrossed in her phone to prevent it from happening. 

Fate definitely had a twisted sense of humor for us to keep bumping into each other like cliche college novel. 

Oh wait…I forgot. 

This was a cliche college novel.

The bully, the shy girl, the pretty, quiet not-so-popular girl falling in love with the bad boy with a fucked up personality and a dark past. 

Definitely cliche. 

Ugh. I should've just died that day. 

Maybe I would've gotten the chance to meet my parents instead of going through all of this crap. 

As expected Naomi looked just as surprised to see me, but that surprise quickly faded, replaced with something more calculated. Her lips curled slightly and a glint flashed in her eyes as she crossed her arms.

"Well, well, well."

Sofia sighed beside me. "Oh, for fuck's sake."

I ignored her and adjusted my bag strap. "Are you lost?" I pressed my lips together, faking a smile. 

Naomi let out a short laugh, looking at me like she was sizing me up. "Funny. I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be off somewhere studying?"

My fingers twitched around the strap of my bag. One day I was gonna lose it and eventually snap and that day was near. 

I could feel it. 

But until then, I had to put up with all of this. Back in my previous life I was never known as a cool level-headed person, but here we are. 

I narrowed my eyes. A huge part of me wanted to ask why she hadn't spread any rumors about that day or why she hadn't done anything concerning our dramatic pool showdown but I decided not to say anything. "When we have our study session is none of your business Naomi."

"Hmm." She smiled, tilting her head. "If you say so." 

Just then some other girls emerged from a classroom and began scurrying down the hallway while yelling Naomi's name. It wasn't until they realized that she was with us that they kept their mouths shut. 

Sofia scoffed. "Now if you'll please excuse us we have other places to be."

Naomi ignored her, her eyes locked on mine as she took a step closer. "I've been thinking….you and Liam." Her voice was casual, but there was an edge to it. "What's the deal?"

Ah.

So this was why she was silent.

Interesting. 

I kept my expression blank. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on." Naomi rolled her eyes. "You expect me to believe that Liam suddenly has an interest in you? Out of nowhere?"

I shrugged, watching her carefully. "Believe whatever you want."

For a moment, she just stared at me, and I could tell she was trying to pick apart my reaction. Trying to find something to confirm whatever theory she had in that head of hers.

But I gave her nothing.

With an exasperated sigh, she clicked her tongue. "You're up to something."

I raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

Naomi's lips pressed together, her fingers twitching at her sides. "You might have everyone else fooled, but not me. I know there's something off about this whole thing. You and..."

Sofia groaned, cutting her off. "God, this is so stupid. Can we just go?"

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "Shut it. I'm talking to her, not you." Naomi glared pointing her finger at Sofia who glared back. 

"Look Naomi." My smile widened as I stepped closer. "It might hurt but what you saw was real. Liam and I…we're a thing and if you still plan on digging for information that is completely none of your business I'll advise you not to." I spoke calmly. 

"We all know Liam and you definitely know how he despises people meddling in his business. So if you still want to probe…go ahead. But don't say I didn't warn you." I smiled at her and with that, I turned on my heel and walked away with Sofia right beside me.

I also made a mental note to inform Liam about Naomi's suspicions then maybe he'd actually realize how ridiculous this fake dating plan was. 

We were just about rounding a corner, when I caught a glimpse of someone familiar and I turned.

And that's when I saw him.

Jake.

Standing a little ways down the hall with a look of betrayal on his face. 

And that made my chest tighten.

He had seen and heard everything.

And from the look on his face, he wasn't happy about it at all.