XXXII

Danielle tried to ignore their teasing, but Lilianna and Brooklyn were relentless.

"So, are you gonna sit with them today?" Brooklyn asked, easily keeping pace with Danielle.

"I already told them I eat with you guys," Danielle said smoothly.

"Right," Lilianna drawled, exchanging a look with Brooklyn. "Except... you don't actually eat with us."

Danielle narrowed her eyes. "What's your point?"

Brooklyn shrugged, feigning innocence. "Oh, nothing. Just that you seem to be making a lot of excuses to avoid Maya lately. Almost like you actually do care."

Danielle scoffed, pushing open the doors to the courtyard where students were beginning to gather. "I don't. And even if I did—which I don't—it wouldn't matter. She's just... Maya."

Lilianna smirked. "You say that like it explains anything."

Danielle rolled her eyes, but before she could respond, William jogged over, slinging an arm around her shoulder.

"Hey, babe," he greeted, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. "You coming to lunch, or do I have to fight someone for your attention?"

Danielle smirked. "Relax, Edwards. You've got my attention."

Brooklyn and Lilianna shot each other amused looks but didn't say anything—at least, not while William was standing right there.

Danielle was grateful for the distraction, but even as she let William lead her toward their usual spot, she couldn't shake the feeling of two pairs of eyes watching her from across the courtyard.

She didn't have to look to know who they belonged to.

As William led her toward their usual spot, Danielle barely heard whatever he was saying. Her mind was elsewhere—on the fact that she needed to end whatever this thing between them was.

It wasn't like she didn't like William. He was good to her, easy to be around, and they had fun together. But that was just it—there was nothing beyond that. No spark, no real attachment. And she knew he felt the same way.

They'd still be friends. That wasn't the issue.

The issue was her reputation.

She had worked too hard to build her image at this school, and breaking things off with William—one of the most well-liked guys here—meant dealing with the inevitable speculation. People would talk.

They'd wonder why she ended it. And if she wasn't careful, they might figure out the real reason she'd been so distant lately.

The real reason she couldn't even look toward the other side of the courtyard right now.

Danielle exhaled quietly, schooling her features as they reached their table. Lilianna and Brooklyn were still smirking at her like they knew exactly what was going through her mind.

She ignored them.

One thing at a time.

Lilianna leaned in as Danielle took her seat, a teasing grin playing on her lips. "You've been a little distracted lately."

Brooklyn hummed in agreement, propping her chin on her hand. "Yeah, and it's not because of William."

Danielle shot them both a warning look as she reached for her water bottle. "Don't start."

"Oh, we've already started," Lilianna said, amusement dripping from her tone. "You're thinking about her."

Danielle took a slow sip of water before setting the bottle down with a pointed thud. "I don't know who you're talking about."

Brooklyn laughed. "Please. You've been weird ever since you started hanging around Riley again. And, oh, look who's always with Riley."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "I haven't been weird."

"You have," Lilianna confirmed, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Especially today. You practically ran in the other direction when you saw them in the hallway."

Danielle kept her expression neutral. "I had somewhere to be."

"Uh-huh." Brooklyn smirked. "And yet, you had no problem sitting in a car with her over the weekend."

Danielle's stomach twisted, but she didn't let it show. "Maya is just—"

"A thorn in your side?" Lilianna guessed.

"Exactly."

Brooklyn nudged her with her foot under the table. "Or maybe she's something else."

Danielle narrowed her eyes at her, but before she could fire back, William rejoined the table, effectively cutting the conversation short.

For now.

As William sat down next to her, Danielle plastered on a smile, slipping seamlessly back into her usual persona.

"Miss me?" he asked, draping an arm over the back of her chair.

"Always," she said smoothly, though her mind was elsewhere.

Lilianna and Brooklyn exchanged knowing looks but wisely didn't say anything.

Danielle barely touched her food, pushing things around on her plate with her fork. Across the cafeteria, she could see Maya laughing at something Riley said, looking completely unbothered.

And that was annoying.

Because Danielle wasn't unbothered.

She was still thinking about the way Maya had shown up at her house unannounced, the way she had looked around as if she was trying to figure Danielle out. She was still thinking about the way Maya had nudged her at Riley's dinner table, as if she knew—really knew—what Danielle wasn't saying.

Most of all, she was thinking about how none of this was supposed to matter.

But it did.

Too much.

And then there was William.

She glanced at him as he talked animatedly to one of the guys from the football team, his easy confidence matching hers. He was good to her. They had fun together. They understood the game they were playing—being the couple everyone talked about, the golden pair of their social circle.

And yet, it didn't feel like enough anymore.

The thought had been creeping in for weeks, and now it was solidifying in her mind.

She needed to break things off.

William would take it well. They'd still be friends. But her reputation? That was another story.

Danielle could already hear the whispers. Already imagine the questions. If she wasn't with William, who would she be with?

She exhaled slowly, forcing herself back into the conversation at the table.

Lilianna nudged her under the table, snapping Danielle out of her thoughts.

"You're thinking too hard again," Lilianna murmured, just low enough for only her to hear.

Danielle shot her a look. "I don't think hard about anything."

Brooklyn snorted. "Yeah, except maybe a certain blonde artist."

Danielle didn't react, just casually took a sip of her drink, maintaining her indifferent expression. "No idea what you're talking about."

Lilianna smirked, leaning in slightly. "Come on, Elle. You think we don't notice how you get all tense when she's around?"

"I don't get tense," Danielle said flatly. "It's Danielle or Dani."

Brooklyn grinned. "Right. And you totally didn't spend the first ten minutes of lunch glaring at her table."

"I was zoning out."

"Sure," Lilianna said. "And ignoring your boyfriend is part of zoning out?"

That made Danielle falter for half a second before she recovered. "I can multitask."

Lilianna and Brooklyn shared a look before Brooklyn shrugged. "Fine. Deny all you want. But you're playing a dangerous game, Dani."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "It's not a game."

Lilianna arched a brow. "Then what is it?"

Danielle didn't answer. She didn't have one.

Instead, she shifted her attention to William, who was still deep in conversation with the guys.

Brooklyn followed her gaze. "You gonna break it off soon?"

Danielle sighed, tilting her head back slightly. "I don't know."

Lilianna poked at her food. "You're not happy with him. And you don't need him to keep your rep, you know that, right?"

Danielle didn't say anything. She did know that. But that wasn't what was stopping her.

It was the fact that breaking things off meant people would pay even more attention to who she spent time with. To who she looked at for too long.

To Maya.

She shook that thought away, forcing a smirk. "You two worry too much."

Brooklyn gave her a pointed look. "And you don't worry enough."

Danielle just smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Maybe they were both right.

The rest of lunch passed in a blur, filled with meaningless chatter and forced laughter. Danielle played her part well—smirking, teasing, acting like she didn't have a single real thought in her head. It was easier that way.

But the moment the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, she felt the weight settle back onto her shoulders.

As students started clearing out of the cafeteria, Lilianna and Brooklyn walked ahead, caught up in a conversation about weekend plans. Danielle trailed behind, only half-listening.

Then, as she stepped into the hallway, her eyes landed on Maya.

She wasn't even looking at Danielle—just standing at her locker, talking to Riley. But something about the casual ease in her stance, the way she twirled a pencil between her fingers, made something twist in Danielle's chest.

She was an idiot.

Before she could overthink it, she turned on her heel, heading in the opposite direction. She needed to shake this off. To get her head back in the game.

Danielle pulled out her phone as she turned a corner, pressing Izzy's contact without hesitation. The phone barely rang twice before her aunt picked up.

"Danielle?" Izzy's voice was sharp, but not unkind. "Calling me in the middle of the school day? Should I be worried?"

Danielle sighed, leaning against the lockers where no one could hear. "Relax. Just needed a break from the chaos."

Izzy hummed, unconvinced. "You mean the chaos you willingly surround yourself with?"

Danielle rolled her eyes, even though her aunt couldn't see. "Not the point."

"Alright, so what is the point?" Izzy asked. "You don't usually call me unless you need something—or unless something's bothering you."

Danielle hesitated, gripping her phone tighter. "I think I'm gonna end things with William."

There was a pause. Then, Izzy exhaled like she'd been expecting this. "You sure?"

"Yeah," Danielle muttered, rubbing a hand down her face. "I mean, he'll be fine. We're better as friends anyway."

"And your reputation?" Izzy pressed, her voice laced with something unreadable.

Danielle let out a bitter laugh. "Exactly. That's the only thing making me hesitate. It's not about him. It's about how people will see me after."

Izzy was quiet for a moment before she said, "If you're that worried about what people think, maybe you should ask yourself why."

Danielle scowled. "Great. Love the therapy session, Iz."

Her aunt chuckled. "Just saying. If you don't want to be with him, don't be. Screw what people think."

Danielle knew Izzy was right. It was just easier said than done.

"I'll figure it out," she mumbled, pushing herself off the lockers. "Just needed to say it out loud, I guess."

"Well, you know I've got your back," Izzy said, softer now. "Just don't drag it out longer than you need to, okay?"

"Yeah. I won't."

"Good. Now go, I don't need you blaming me when you're late to class."

Danielle smirked, rolling her eyes again. "Later, Iz."

She hung up and exhaled slowly, shoving her phone back in her pocket.

Now she just had to figure out when.

Danielle pushed herself off the lockers, straightening her posture as if the conversation with Izzy hadn't just shaken something loose inside her. Breaking up with William was the logical next step, but actually doing it? That was another story.

She wasn't avoiding him—at least, that's what she told herself. But as she made her way through the halls, she found herself taking the long way to class, eyes scanning the crowd without really looking for him.

Her mind was restless, but she knew she had to pull it together. So when she spotted Lilianna and Brooklyn at their usual spot near the stairwell, she forced herself back into her usual confidence.

"Hey," she greeted, slipping into place beside them.

Brooklyn raised an eyebrow at her. "Where have you been? Thought you'd gotten lost or something."

Danielle smirked. "Please. As if I could ever get lost here."

Lilianna studied her for a second, then narrowed her eyes. "You look like you're thinking too much. That's never good."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "You two are dramatic."

"Mm-hmm," Brooklyn hummed, unconvinced. "Is this about a certain football player?"

Danielle sighed, tilting her head back against the wall. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only because we know you," Lilianna said, shrugging. "You've been distant with him. Not that he's noticed."

Brooklyn scoffed. "Please. William's too busy existing in his own little world to see the signs."

Danielle smirked at that. "That's not fair. He's not stupid."

"No, but he is oblivious," Lilianna pointed out. "So? What's the plan?"

Danielle exhaled slowly. "I just... I don't know. I know we'll still be friends, but—"

"But the reputation thing," Brooklyn finished for her, nodding knowingly. "Yeah. That's the only thing that matters to everyone else."

Danielle clenched her jaw, hating that it was true.

"Listen," Lilianna said, nudging her shoulder. "You do what you gotta do. People will talk, sure, but when don't they?"

Brooklyn grinned. "And besides, I doubt you'll be single for long."

Danielle gave her a deadpan look. "Wow, thanks."

Lilianna smirked. "Just saying. Some people might be waiting for their chance."

Danielle scoffed, shaking her head, but before she could say anything, the bell rang.

"Ugh, history," Brooklyn groaned. "Matthews better be in a good mood today."

Danielle's smirk lingered. "Guess we'll find out."

As they walked toward class, she felt a little steadier. The breakup was inevitable, but at least she didn't have to figure it out alone.

Danielle made it through history without thinking too much about William—or at least, she pretended she did. Instead, she focused on Matthews' lecture, nodding along at the right moments, even throwing in a few comments to make sure she looked engaged. But her mind was elsewhere.

She'd have to talk to him soon. The longer she waited, the worse it would be.

After class, she said a quick goodbye to Lilianna and Brooklyn and made her way toward her locker. She was twisting in her combination when a familiar voice spoke up behind her.

"You're hard to find today."

Danielle didn't even flinch. She knew it was William before she turned around. He was standing there, looking as casual as ever, hands in his pockets, his usual easygoing grin on his face.

"Am I?" she said, raising an eyebrow as she grabbed a book from her locker. "Maybe you're just bad at looking."

William chuckled, leaning against the lockers beside her. "Or maybe you're avoiding me."

Danielle shut her locker and looked up at him. He wasn't wrong.

She hesitated for a second, then exhaled. "We should talk."

His smile faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "That sounds serious."

She crossed her arms. "It kinda is."

He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Hit me with it."

Danielle glanced around, realizing the hallway wasn't exactly private. She motioned toward the nearest empty classroom. "Come on."

William followed her inside, shutting the door behind them. She took a deep breath before turning to face him.

"Look," she started, choosing her words carefully. "We both knew this wasn't... forever, right?"

William's expression didn't change, but she could tell he knew where this was going.

"I care about you," she continued. "But this whole thing—it's just not working for me anymore."

He was quiet for a second, then sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... I kinda figured."

Danielle blinked. "You did?"

William smirked, but there was something softer about it. "Danielle, come on. You've been distant. And don't get me wrong, I like spending time with you, but..." He shrugged. "I think we both know this was more about reputation than anything else."

Danielle searched his face, trying to gauge if he was actually okay with this. "So... you're not mad?"

He shook his head. "Nah. If anything, I'm relieved you finally said it first."

That caught her off guard. "Wait—were you planning on breaking up with me?"

William laughed. "Maybe eventually. But hey, you beat me to it."

Danielle scoffed, shaking her head. "Wow. Guess I should've done this sooner."

He grinned. "Maybe. But no hard feelings, right?"

She relaxed slightly, nodding. "No hard feelings."

"Good," he said. "But now we've got a problem."

Danielle narrowed her eyes. "What problem?"

William smirked. "Everyone's gonna freak out when they find out we broke up."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Let them."

He chuckled. "Guess you're right. But just so you know, I'm still sitting with you at lunch."

She smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."