Page 31 of A Pretty Fixation

Time seems to slow down as Caleb reaches us.

I stall, my heart pounding erratically.

He spares me a quick and uninterested glance as hewalks past. Meanwhile, my whole body is on fire, needy for his attention.

That fucker.

“Breathe,” Scarlett teases with a nudge at my arm.

I huff and roll my eyes at her. “Whatever.”

“Do you want to catch up to him?” she checks.

“No.” I tilt my chin and stand firm. “He’s finallyleaving me alone. That’s good.”

She sighs. “You don’t seem okay with it.”

“I’m fine. It’s better this way. I doubt I’m hischildhood crush, and it’s too risky for me to tread those waters.” I pull thetowel from around my neck. “I can’t.”

I walk ahead to the dorm with Scarlett followingbehind. After showering, we chill in the room.

The hours tick by, and I can’t focus on anything.That gnawing sensation won’t simmer.

I shut the book I’m reading and sit up in bed,opening the laptop to search for those reels Nichole mentioned.

Opening the college’s website, I find the sectiondedicated to the soccer team and click on Caleb’s photo in the line-up.

He has four highlight videos. Except for his highschool reel, the others mainly focus on moments where he’s celebrating after avictory and exchanging jerseys to the annoying screams of girls whenever hereveals his upper body.

I must admit, he looks damn fit. The thought oftracing every muscle crosses my mind. That flips away at the stupid screams.

Fuck those girls, and fuck the cocky grin on hisface.

I slam the laptop shut and reach for the book,only to toss it aside again.

My mind is stuck on Caleb. I’m craving hispursuit.

I hate how he walked past me without a word as ifI no longer existed in his world. It was so easy for him.

“That jerk,” I fume and spring from the bed,pacing around the room.

Scarlett stops what she’s doing on her laptop.“Okay. What’s with you?”

“He could have at least said hi,” I seethe.

“Oh, it’s about Caleb,” she remarks with a knowingsarcastic tinge.

“I mean, there’s nothing wrong with acknowledgingeach other. That was fucking rude.”

“Well, you said it’s better if you kept yourdistance,” she points out. “Caleb is doing what you want.”

I throw my hands up and pause at her bed. “I knowwhat he’s doing, Scar. It’s just….”

She frowns. “What?”

Shifting from one leg to the other, I lower myhead and chip at my nail polish. “I can’t stop thinking about him. Calebstirred something inside me on Monday, and I can’t get rid of it.” I blow asharp breath. “Part of me is scared, and another side is yearning for him badly.Wejustmet. These emotions are confusing.”

Scarlett gives me a sympathetic look when I liftmy gaze from the carpet. “Maybe because you knew each other.”

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