When I got back to my room that night, I felt off. Elijah and I weren't okay. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and opened our conversation. He hadn't texted at all and it had been over an hour.

My mind kept replaying our conversation in the car instead of the magical kiss we had shared. What should have been a wonderful end to the night turned into a humiliating one. Why would he suggest that if he knew he didn't have any feelings?

My thumbs hovered over the keyboard. I had to say something.

Hey, I hope you got home safely—backspace.

Thanks for tonight—backspace.

My phone shook in my hands as I wracked my brain for anything that could fix this.

Sorry I got carried away—backspace.

We can pretend this never—backspace.

If I made you uncomfortable—backspace.

Tears ran down my cheeks as my heart raced.

Sorry to burden you—backspace.

I never meant to make you feel—backspace.

I like you and I thought—backspace.

I'm sorry I bothered you—backspace.

I couldn't breathe.

Are we okay? I know you said we're fine but are we? I have this feeling that we're not and—backspace.

I clicked my phone off and clutched it to my chest. I stumbled over to my bed buried my face in my pillows.

I wanted to cease my existence every time that moment in the car replayed in my mind. He thinks you're so desperate. I sobbed quietly until my mind stopped and everything went black.

Breakfast was awkward the next morning.

I dragged myself out of bed around 11 to make sure I could make it to the dining hall before they stopped serving breakfast. My mind was covered in a fog I couldn't lift and it weighed down the rest of my body.

"Aye yo Rona!" I heard my name being called as I stabbed some pancakes onto my plate. I jumped as Michael slung his arm across my shoulders, pulling me closer for a side hug. "What's up girl?"

"Nothing much." I mumbled as I continued my merciless assault on innocent food. "You?"

"Chillin'" He hummed happily as he released me. "You good, though?"

My fork hovered in the air as I stared at my full plate. Snippets of the previous night flashed through my mind. Instantly, my cheeks tingled with embarrassment.

"Just hungry," My lips curved upwards, forcing a smile. "See you later."

Michael's hand reached out to grab my shoulder as I turned away from him. "Woah slow down there, bucko." He put on a voice that was clearly meant to mock me. "I know you not about to leave with that big ass plate."

"Oh no, I'm just going to my usual spot in the corner." I turned back to look at him as he grasped my shoulders.

"Or," Michael emphasized his words as he bent over by my ear. "You could sit with us and not be fake."

Fake? Am I being fake?

"Oh, well, I didn't mean for it to come off like that—" I stumbled through my weak apology as my heart raced. "I just didn't want to assume—"

"Relax girl, I'm messing with you." He nudged me along to a booth where he was seated with Marcus. I mumbled a meek hello. Marcus shook his head at me with a smirk.

"Oh, perfect." Just as Michael pushed me onto a seat I caught a glimpse of familiar coils. As the Michael and I settled in our seats, the previous night flitted through my mind.

My cheeks burned at the thought of Elijah and last night. I'm not ready to talk. "Yo," He called from the breakfast buffet.

My appetite vanished, yet my eyes remained glued to my plate. My vocal chords uncomfortably rubbed together as I uttered something barely comparable to words. My mind began playing elevator music and my heart decided it was the best time to take up percussion as a hobby.

I hope that my ass doesn't take up brass.

Elijah took his time gathering his food. I had time to think before he would join us.

"Move down." He muttered to Marcus. Fuck.

"You good? I thought you were hungry." Michael poked my ribs as he gestured to my food.

Eyes wide, I quickly nodded before stuffing my face with pancakes and eggs.

"What happened to you last night?" Michael asked as he started eating. "Had poor Eli driving all over the town looking for you." I looked up to see Marcus and and Michael staring at me. Eli was engrossed by his plate.

Marcus hadn't touched his food, but his gaze was expectant.

"Why you so damn nosy?" Eli groaned with a mouth full of bacon. "Ignore them, Verona." His eyes narrowed at me. My name sounds weird coming from his mouth.

"I went to a party last night with Elaine." I shrugged, focusing on my plate. "Actually, did she text you Elijah?"

He stiffened at the sound of his name. "Yeah."

"What was I interrupting?" I tore my gaze away from my plate to address the table.

"We didn't even get to finish rolling up before Eli kicked us out of his place." Michael sucked his teeth.

"We?" Marcus chimed in. "I was so close to finally beating him at Mario Kart—"

"You weren't going to win anyway." Eli interrupted, laughing lowly. "I had a shell waiting for you right before the finish line." Michael joined in, his own chuckles confirming his agreement with Eli.

I looked over at Marcus, who gave each of the boys a nasty look. "You had the lead for the entire game and then he wins out of nowhere?" I already knew the answer. "I swear he's cheating somehow." I shook my head as I laughed sympathetically.

"Where was I for that match?" Marcus asked pointedly.

Michael sat back in his seat and placed his arm on top of the booth. He bit back a grin as he got ready to hear whatever I was going to say.

"Not there." I glanced at him before innocently stabbing at my food.

Michael snorted loudly as Marcus narrowed his eyes. "Oh, you a comedian now?"

"It sounds like Rona don't kiss and tell." Michael said, barely above a whisper.

Elijah eyed him suspiciously from across the table. I turned to face Michael, only to find his face much closer than I originally anticipated. A small but devious smile was plastered on his face.

"There's nothing to tell." I shrugged, scooting further into the booth.

"She said your stroke game trash, Eli." Marcus happily instigated. "You gonna let her talk about you like that?"

"You guys are ridiculous," Eli muttered as he gathered his plate and utensils for disposal. "Nothing happened." He said bitterly as he walked away.

"Now that baby strokes is gone," Marcus pushed aside his plate to lean on the table. "Did y'all fuck or nah?"

"Damn Marcus, you're on Eli's dick more than I ever was." I furrowed my eyebrows at his persistence. "Which was never!" I added quickly as Michael almost spit out his drink.

"I'm wrong if I kick her ass?" Marcus pointed at me as he addressed Michael.

"Nah she got it." Michael held his stomach.

Eli returned with a scowl on his face. "We out?" He gestured to the table.

They nodded silently and began to gather their belongings.

As they walked away, I gathered enough courage to talk to Eli. "Where are y'all heading?" I asked as I quickly scarfed down the remainder of my food.

"We're gonna play ball with Alex at the gym for a few hours." He said flatly as he stared at his phone.

"Do you mind if I join you?" We hadn't spoken since last night and that had me on edge. Our friendship was in jeopardy and his lack of eye contact only confirmed my fears.

"Nah, you'd be bored." His half-assed attempt at a smile made my heart sink.

"I can just use the gym." I offered hopefully, but my attempt was futile.

Elijah bent down and pointed at my footwear. "In slippers?"

My face grew hot. "Well if you guys don't mind waiting then I can run back to my room—"

"We can't, we made a reservation." Eli said curtly.

"Oh," My voice deflated. "Sorry I pressed you." I mumbled as I gazed at his phone in his hands. The thing had taken up all of his attention.

"It's cool, you didn't know."

"Hey," I started, slightly scared of his response. "Are we—?"

Just as I had mustered the courage to ask the burning question that had been on my mind since last night, his friends returned.

"You guys scheduling your next fuck session?" Marcus quipped from behind.

"Shut the hell up," Eli groaned as he began to walk away.

"You gotta get off his dick first." I hollered after them. Michael laughed as he waved goodbye. Marcus scowled at me, but his eyes revealed his secret amusement.

As I watched Elijah's retreating figure, my face clouded. Judging by his lack of eye contact and vehement denial of every accusation, I could safely assume that he was upset. Lamenting over the fact that he was taking it out on our friendship, I couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal.

Why am I being punished for his actions?

I sighed as I gathered my things. It would have to be just another day at the library.