CHAPTER 12

ARIENNE CALLOWAY

I sighed, resting my chin on my hand as I watched Fay practically vibrate with excitement. She was standing beside me, bouncing on her heels while her eyes stayed locked on the track.

Blair sat on the other side, comfortably leaning against her boyfriend, who had his arm lazily draped around her shoulders. She looked relaxed—probably because she wasn't being forced into this mess.

I, on the other hand, had no idea why I let Fay drag me into this.

"I still don't get why I'm here," I mumbled, tapping my fingers against my knee.

Fay shot me a look like I had just asked why the sky was blue. "Because it's fun! And also, you owe me for that time I helped you sneak past my mom last month."

I groaned. "That was one time."

"And it was a big time," she countered, flipping her hair. "Besides, now that you're actually here, you don't have to do anything. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view."

I followed her gaze to the track, where the runners were getting into position. Specifically, to Cole, who was stretching his arms.

"Uh-huh," I said, smirking. "By 'view,' you mean Cole?"

Fay huffed but didn't deny it. "He is fast, okay? He's totally winning this race."

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue. Instead, I leaned back, trying to make myself as comfortable as possible in the plastic chair.

Then, for whatever reason, my gaze flickered to the side of the field—right near the railing.

And I froze.

Zayn was standing there.

His varsity jacket was unzipped, hands stuffed in his pockets, posture relaxed but watching.

At me.

My breath caught for a split second. His expression wasn't cold, exactly, but it wasn't warm either. It was unreadable—like he wasn't expecting to see me here.

Which was fair, because I wasn't expecting to be here.

I quickly turned away, pretending to be busy looking at my nails, but the damage was already done. My heart had definitely skipped a beat, and I definitely wasn't okay with that.

Fay nudged me. "Hey, is it just me, or was Zayn totally staring at you?"

I scoffed. "You're imagining things."

She squinted at me, unconvinced. "Huh. Weird."

"Not weird," I corrected. "Completely normal. Nothing to see here."

"Uh-huh."

Fay didn't push it, but she did glance between me and the railing a few more times before the race started.

I shook my head, determined to ignore whatever that weird moment was.

I was just here to sit through this sports meet, pay off my debt to Fay, and leave.

That was it.

Nothing more.