Page 20 of Only When It Breaks

“Sports have never really been my thing,” I admit. “Too much energy.”

He grins, “I probably wouldn’t play so much if Dad hadn’t have wanted it.”

“If he loves it so much, why doesn’t he play?”

“He did. For a while. Almost made it professional and then Mum had me and then he . . .” he trails off. “Never mind. Anyway, he thought it would be good for me, yah know, if I was struggling academically.”

Kai pulls into the college car park and slides into a spot like he owns the place. Which, he does,sociallyspeaking.

I’m halfway out the door when I hear it. “Kaaaai!” Bella’s voice. High-pitched, sugary, and laced with venom.

I freeze, but it’s too late. She’s already spotted us. She and Luna are strutting over like they’re on a runway. Bella’s eyes flick from Kai to me, narrowing just slightly before she plasters on a wide smile. “Well,thisis unexpected,” she says, tossing her shiny blonde hair over one shoulder. “Morning, Kai.”

“Hey,” he says, cool and casual, like he hasn’t just delivered me to the gates of social hell.

Luna snickers behind her hand. I pretend not to notice. Bella turns her smile on me, and it feels like staring directly into the sun, blinding and probably dangerous. “Hi, Emmie,” she says sweetly. “Didn’t know you and Kai were . . . friends.”

“We’re not,” I mutter, adjusting my bag strap.

“She needed a ride,” Kai says simply. “Ava’s sick.”

Bella’s eyes flash. “Ohhh. That makes sense.” She gives a little laugh, like everything's fallen neatly into place in her head. “So generous of you, Kai. Honestly, not many people would go out of their way for . . .” She trails off, smiling at me again. “Well. Anyway.” I bite my tongue so hard I taste blood. “So,” Bella continues, linking her arm with Kai’s, “we’re thinking of going to that new bubble tea place after school. You should totally come. Both of you.” Her eyes flick back to me, clearly hoping I’ll say no.

“I can’t,” I say flatly. “I have actual plans.”

Bella blinks, caught off guard. Probably unable to understand why I’d turn down her golden gift of hanging out with her for an hour.

Kai glances at me, amused. “Yeah, and I’ve got training.”

“Oh,” Bella says, her voice a little too tight. “Shame.” She lets her arm slide off his. “Well, maybe next time.” Then, with one final sugar-coated smile, she adds, “I’ll stop by practise before we go. I haven’t watched you play for ages.”

He grins, “You saw me last Thursday.”

She laughs. “Exactly, ages.” The, she turns on her heel, and Luna follows like a shadow.

I release a long breath. Kai lifts an eyebrow. “You okay?”

I shrug. “Imagine being that obsessed with yourself.”

He grins. “You’re kind of savage. I like it.”

I roll my eyes, but my cheeks are warm. I tell myself it’s from the walk to class. Definitely not from the way he saidI like it.

Kai

At lunchtime, I scan the cafeteria automatically, and that’s when I see her.Emmie.

She’s sitting alone near the window, picking at a sandwich like it personally offended her. Her book lies open, and her back is curled in that invisible-don’t-talk-to-me way. I hesitate. But we’re good now, I’m certain she won’t mind me joining her. I head over, trying not to over think it, when I’m stopped in my tracks.

“Kai.” Bella appears out of nowhere, voice sweet enough to rot teeth. She grabs my arm like we’re starring in some teen rom-com and beams at me. “There you are,” she says. “Come sit with us. We saved you a seat.”

Luna’s behind her, tray in her hand, eyes flicking between me and Emmie like she already knows what’s going on and plans to report back in detail.

I glance past Bella. Emmie’s still looking down, pulling the crust off her sandwich like she’s dissecting it. Her shoulders are stiff. She knows I saw her. Knows I stopped. I hate that I’m standing still. “Come on,” Bella says, tugging my sleeve. “We’re talking about Friday’s party. Youhaveto be there.”

She bats her lashes. It’s a performance, she’s not even subtle. And I should probably care more. About the party. About what she thinks. About the fact that half the room’s probably watching this interaction right now.

But all I can think about is that second,that moment, when I saw Emmie alone, and she saw me notice her. And then I didn’t walk over. “Yeah,” I say, forcing a smile. “Sure.” Bella squeals like she’s won a prize and practically drags me toward her table.

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