Chapter 3: Catfights and Confessions

I really got close with Charlotte after Jason humiliated her in public.

There’s something about shared pain that brings people together. Misery loves company, I guess. We started hanging out more, grabbing coffee after class, talking about everything and nothing.

Like in every old-school romance, the guy cares deep down but won’t admit it because of his pride.

Jason’s the same. He’s thrilled inside that his crush likes him back, but acts annoyed at Charlotte for being clingy and loud.

It’s textbook self-sabotage. He just can’t help himself. He pushes her away, then wonders why she’s not there when he needs her. Some guys never learn.

Charlotte’s disappointed and has been taking time off to avoid him.

She’s been skipping classes, hiding out in the art room or the library. I check in on her, bringing snacks and silly memes to cheer her up.

A classmate jokes, "Jason, where’s your little shadow, Charlotte?"

The joke lands with a thud, but Jason just shrugs, pretending not to care. Yeah, sure, buddy. I catch the flicker of worry in his eyes, though.

Now Jason’s cleared up the misunderstanding, and he’s anxious and full of regret inside.

He wants to apologize, but every time he sees her, he just makes things worse.

It’s like he’s stuck in a loop—say the wrong thing, regret it, try again, mess up even more. Some guys never learn. Watching him flounder is almost painful.

Charlotte’s health is always shaky, and someone’s always looking out for her.

She’s got a whole squad of friends who hover like mother hens. I’m just one more in the flock. I join the rotation, making sure she eats, drinks water, and gets some rest.

Jason can’t help but get jealous.

He’s not subtle about it, either. Not even a little. Every time he sees me with Charlotte, his jaw tightens, and he shoots me daggers from across the cafeteria.

"Geez, Charlotte, why are you so delicate? Even the art school beauty queen can’t compete with you."

Charlotte’s smile freezes.

It’s a low blow, and everyone knows it. Seriously, dude? I see her shrink back, biting her lip. The room goes quiet for a beat, tension thick as molasses.

Comments: "Ugh, the male lead is such a nerd. Why bring up another girl now? He literally waited three hours this morning to buy Charlotte’s favorite donut to say sorry."

"He always says the opposite of what he means. The guy’s so jealous, what a disaster."

"Keep it up, male lead. The guy who secretly smells the heroine’s hair when checking test scores, who’s madly in love but can’t say it, always ends up chasing her all the way to the ends of the earth."

Charlotte ignores him.

She turns away, focusing on her notebook. Her silence is louder than any words she could say. That’s when you know it’s bad.

Jason gets desperate and keeps making it worse.

He fidgets, voice rising. “Why aren’t you talking? Where’s the clingy little thing who used to chase after me?” Wow, way to dig your own grave.

"You promised to always like me. What, you’re tired of me already?"

Finally, he bites his lip, looking lost.

"Is it fun to mess with me?"

"People like you, always above it all, never really know how to love someone."

Charlotte can’t hold back anymore and throws her book at his head.

It smacks him square in the forehead. He yelps, rubbing the spot, but she doesn’t care. Tears spill down her cheeks, raw and unfiltered. That’s when the dam breaks.

"Jason, you jerk! Have some decency!"

Her voice shakes, but it’s full of fire. The whole cafeteria turns to watch, some kids whispering, others staring wide-eyed.

Jason gets the worst of it, his face turning cold.

He crosses his arms, trying to look tough. “Everyone, look! Charlotte’s just a spoiled rich kid. I’m not comforting her this time.”

You can’t argue with someone who has no shame.

It’s the kind of line you’d expect from a soap opera villain. Classic. I roll my eyes, biting back a retort.

I finally can’t take it and kick Jason behind the knee.

He stumbles, almost falling. I lean in, voice low but fierce. Not sorry. “Why are you acting so aloof? She’s just a kitten showing her claws—who’d actually get mad at that?”

"You eat Charlotte’s food, drink her coffee, use her stuff—if you can’t even say she’s the best thing in your world, you still want it all. Do you think you’re some kind of king?"

The words hang in the air, sharp as a slap. Jason looks stunned, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Didn’t see that coming, did you?

Comments: "Anyone else getting redemption vibes? I love seeing Riley show up—what is going on."

"The male lead really went too far this time. How can he bully the heroine like that? Go Riley!"

"Everyone, grab your phones and hype up Riley. Everything they say is just so right."

I stand up for Charlotte.

She’s grateful and often drags me out to eat.

We hit up diners, taco trucks, and the little bakery on Main Street. Pretty soon, we’re regulars. She tells me stories about her childhood, and I listen, happy to be her sounding board.

We get closer every day.

Inside jokes pile up, and soon we’re finishing each other’s sentences. People start noticing, whispering when we walk by.

People even start shipping us as a couple on the campus forum.

Someone makes a meme of us, and it goes semi-viral. The internet works fast. Charlotte laughs when she sees it, cheeks turning pink. I just shake my head, secretly flattered.