Chapter 3: Plain Milk and Bitter Realities

I didn’t even notice when Derek started getting close to her.

It just happened, suddenly. Mr. Lawson always told him to bring me strawberry milk every morning, but out of nowhere, he switched to plain milk.

“I hate plain milk the most, don’t you know that?”

I glared at the carton in my hand, feeling a sting of betrayal.

“Come on, isn’t it just because the strawberry milk box is pink? You’re not a kid anymore—drinking strawberry milk every day, what does that look like? From now on, drink plain milk. It’s healthier.”

Derek ruffled my hair.

Aubrey was holding her own carton of plain milk. She turned and gave a little smile, like she was embarrassed.

“Sorry, Pinky, I like plain milk, so I asked Derek to bring it.”

“But strawberry milk is so sweet—way too much. Do all girls like you drink that stuff?”

I set the milk down, frowning, and stared right at her.

“Do you like giving people nicknames?”

She blinked, feigning surprise. “Haha… why so serious? I was just joking. You’re too sensitive, oh my…”

“Is it me being sensitive, or do you just feel guilty? You know the answer.”

“All right, Natalie,”

Derek broke in, looking exasperated.

“Aubrey just says things without thinking. Don’t take it to heart.”

My eyes stung with anger. I shoved Derek and snapped at Aubrey, “If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all.”

Derek jumped, quickly wrapping his arms around my waist, blurting out,

“All right, all right, it’s my fault. Don’t be mad. I’ll bring you strawberry milk tomorrow, okay?”

Aubrey’s expression changed, her glare sharp as knives.

My fingers curled into fists, my heartbeat thumping so loud I could hear it in my ears. The cafeteria air smelled of bleach and plastic trays. I watched Aubrey’s glare and Derek’s nervous hands, and felt something important shift under my feet—a ground I’d counted on, now starting to give way.