"Can you believe it?" Medina said, shaking her head. "Ann broke up with James because of Adrian."
Lola's eyes widened. "That fast?"
"And now Anne and Adrian are already going out," Medina continued. "Like nothing happened."
Blue sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through her phone, only half-listening.
"That's messy," Lola said. "James didn't even see it coming."
Medina sighed dramatically. "Men never do."
Blue didn't react. She simply locked her phone and stood. "I'm going outside for some air."
No questions followed her. They were too caught up in the story.
Outside, the evening was cooler. Blue leaned against the railing, staring out at the quiet surrounding. She wasn't upset—just tired. Tired of how quickly people replaced each other. Tired of how easily names became stories.
Good thing it's not my problem, she told herself.
When school resumed, everything felt… different.
James was different.
He started talking to her more—casually at first. A comment during class. A joke in the hallway. By the second day, it felt natural.
"Morning," he said one morning, stopping by her desk before class.
Blue looked up, surprised. "You're early."
"Couldn't sleep," he shrugged. "Mind if I sit?"
She didn't.
During breaks, he'd find her again—leaning against a desk nearby, walking with her part of the way down the corridor. He was easy to talk to, lighter than she expected. Funny in an understated way.
"You two got close fast," Elise whispered one afternoon.
Blue frowned slightly. "Did we?"
Asha nodded. "He's always around you."
"He's just… talking," Blue replied. "That's allowed."
Still, people noticed.
And Ann noticed the most.
The whispers started quietly.
"She's trying to replace her."
"She's always near James now."
Blue heard about it third-hand, the words delivered carefully, like fragile glass.
"She's saying you're after him," Elise told her quietly. "Ann, I mean."
Blue stared ahead. "That's not true."
"I know," Elise said. "But she's spreading it."
The reason surfaced soon enough.
Someone from the boys' group let it slip.
During one of their casual chats, Adrian had said it—carelessly, without weight. That Blue was pretty. That she seemed Calm. Different.
Ann heard everything but the tone.
And turned it into something else entirely.
By the end of the week, the rumor had grown teeth.
Blue didn't confront Ann. She didn't deny it publicly. She didn't defend herself louder than necessary.
She simply stayed where she was.
**************
That evening, her phone buzzed.
Roger: "Hey. How was your day?"
She replied politely. Briefly.
They exchanged a few messages—nothing deep, nothing revealing. Then, without planning it, Blue pressed the call button.
He answered on the second ring.
"Hey," Roger said, surprised but pleased. "What's up?"
Blue exhaled slowly. "I don't think this is working."
Silence.
"What do you mean?" he asked carefully.
"I mean exactly that," she said, her voice calm. "I don't want to continue this."
There was a pause—longer this time.
"Did I do something?" he asked.
Blue didn't raise her voice. She didn't accuse. She chose her words with precision.
"I've noticed patterns," she said. "And I don't stay where I have to question my place."
"That's not fair," Roger replied quickly. "You don't know the whole story."
"I don't need the whole story," Blue said evenly. "I need consistency. And I don't see it."
He sighed. "Is this about rumors?"
"It's about behavior," she corrected. "And the way things repeat themselves when no one thinks you're watching."
Another pause.
Then, softer, "You couldn't have picked another day?"
Blue frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"It's my birthday," he said quietly.
The words landed heavier than she expected.
She closed her eyes for a moment, guilt pressing lightly against her chest—not enough to change her mind, but enough to acknowledge.
"I didn't know," she said. "And I'm sorry for that."
He didn't respond immediately.
"Why today?" he asked again. "Why now?"
"Because waiting wouldn't make it kinder," Blue replied. "And pretending wouldn't make it honest."
Her voice remained steady, but firm.
"I've been here before," she continued. "I ignored my instincts once. I paid for it. I won't do that again—not for anyone."
"I never betrayed you," Roger said.
Blue nodded even though he couldn't see it. "Maybe not intentionally. But intention doesn't erase impact."
Silence stretched between them.
"I hope you have a good birthday," she added finally. "I really do."
"Blue—"
"I'm done," she said gently, but decisively. "This is me choosing myself."
She ended the call before the conversation could unravel into explanations or apologies that would change nothing.
She set her phone down and leaned back against her bed, staring at the ceiling. She didn't cry. She didn't feel dramatic . Just solid resolve.
Yes, she felt bad about the timing.
But not bad enough to betray herself again.
And that mattered more than any date on the calendar.
They were coming back from the small shops outside the school grounds, paper bags crinkling in their hands, laughter spilling easily between them. Blue walked a step behind the others, adjusting the strap of her bag as they passed the balcony that overlooked the courtyard.
"Blue."
She stopped.
Her friends took two more steps before realizing she wasn't with them anymore. Blue turned toward the voice.
Adrian was seated on the balcony railing, one leg bent, the other dangling lazily. Beside him sat another boy she hadn't seen before—a bit shorter, quieter, watching everything with mild curiosity.
"Hey," Adrian said, flashing that easy smile of his. "Come here a sec."
Blue hesitated, then stepped closer. "Hi."
"This is my best friend," Adrian said, nodding toward the boy beside him. "Drake. He transferred with me."
Drake stood up properly, offering a small, polite smile. "Nice to finally meet you. Adrian talks."
Blue raised an eyebrow. "Does he now?"
"Too much," Drake added lightly.
She laughed despite herself. "I'm Blue."
"I know," Drake said, then caught himself. "I mean—yeah. From… around."
Something about the way he said it made her pause. His tone wasn't teasing like Adrian's. It was calmer. Intent.
"Your friends look like they're plotting to kidnap you," Adrian said, glancing past her.
Blue looked back. Asha was openly staring. Elise was whispering something animatedly.
"I should go," Blue said. "Before they assume the worst."
"Fair," Adrian replied. "See you around?"
She nodded. "Yeah. See you."
As she turned to leave, Drake spoke again. "Nice glasses."
She glanced back at him. He wasn't smiling now—just sincere.
"Thanks," she said softly, then walked back to her friends.
The moment she was out of earshot, Adrian leaned back against the railing.
"So?" he asked.
Drake didn't answer immediately. His eyes followed Blue until she disappeared down the stairs.
"She's interesting," he said finally.
Adrian smirked. "Interesting how?"
Drake shrugged. " Doesn't force anything. You don't see that much."
"You interested?" Adrian asked, amused.
Drake glanced at him. "Maybe."
Adrian laughed. "Good luck. She doesn't make it easy."
Drake didn't look bothered. If anything, there was the faintest spark of challenge in his expression.
"I noticed," he said.