The days seemed to blur together as Ere'ana and Jack began seeing more of each other. It started innocently enough: catching each other in the halls, sitting together at lunch, and walking to classes when their schedules lined up. By the end of the week, their new routine felt natural, almost like they'd known each other forever.
Avarina noticed immediately.
"You're glowing," she teased as she lounged on her bed, tossing popcorn into her mouth. "Glowing, Ere. Like you've got a whole-ass neon sign on your forehead that says 'I'm falling for a boy.'"
Ere'ana, perched at her desk pretending to do homework, shot her a glare. "I am not glowing. And I'm definitely not falling for anyone."
"Right," Avarina said with a smirk. "That's why you've been ditching me at lunch all week. What do you two even talk about for hours?"
Ere'ana hesitated. It wasn't like she was keeping Jack a secret—she just didn't know how to explain the weird pull she felt toward him. "We just… talk," she said finally. "He's funny. And easy to be around."
"And hot," Avarina added with a wicked grin. "Don't forget hot."
Ere'ana groaned, throwing a pen at her. "Will you stop?"
"Nope," Avarina said, ducking the pen effortlessly. "I need to know if this guy is worth my best friend's time. And since you're being all secretive, I might have to take matters into my own hands."
Ere'ana froze. "What does that mean?"
Avarina only smiled mysteriously and went back to her popcorn.
On the other side of campus, Jack was having a similar conversation with Ira.
"Okay, dude, I need answers," Ira said, lounging on Jack's bed and tossing a basketball in the air. "Who is she? Where'd you find her? And how the hell are you already so into her?"
Jack rolled his eyes, leaning back in his desk chair. "First of all, we're not 'into' each other. We're just hanging out."
"Uh-huh. And you've been texting her nonstop for months because… what? She's got good memes?"
Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, man. She's just… different. Talking to her feels easy, you know? Like she actually gets me."
"Sounds like a crush," Ira said, smirking. "Or worse—feelings."
"Shut up."
Ira laughed, sitting up. "Well, if you're not going to spill the details, I guess I'll have to investigate myself."
Jack frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see," Ira said with a wink, grabbing his basketball and heading out the door.
By the following week, Avarina and Ira were in full espionage mode. Neither had shared their plans, but they both had the same idea: figure out what was going on between their friends.
Avarina was subtle about it—or at least she thought she was. She'd "accidentally" bump into Ere'ana and Jack in the halls, claiming she needed to borrow a pen or remind Ere'ana of a group project. She'd linger nearby during lunch, pretending to scroll through her phone while eavesdropping on their conversations.
Ira, on the other hand, had no shame. He'd openly walk past Jack and Ere'ana, whistling innocently as he "happened" to catch snippets of their conversations. Once, he even sat down at their lunch table uninvited, grinning as he asked, "So, what are we talking about today?"
Jack shot him a glare. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"
"Nope," Ira said cheerfully, biting into an apple. "Carry on."
Ere'ana chuckled, finding Ira's antics amusing. Jack, however, looked like he wanted to strangle him.
One afternoon, Avarina and Ira crossed paths in the cafeteria.
"So," Avarina said, raising an eyebrow. "You've been spying too?"
"Spying?" Ira feigned innocence. "I'm just looking out for my boy."
Avarina smirked. "Sure you are. And I'm just a concerned roommate."
They stood there for a moment, sizing each other up. Then Avarina leaned in conspiratorially. "Okay, what have you got?"
Ira grinned. "Nothing concrete. They talk a lot, laugh a lot, and somehow don't seem to realize they're clearly into each other. You?"
"Same," Avarina admitted. "But I'm working on it. If Ere'ana won't tell me what's going on, I'll just have to push her a little harder."
"Good luck with that," Ira said. "Jack's stubborn as hell. He won't admit anything unless he's forced to."
Avarina's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Sounds like we've got a challenge, then."
Meanwhile, Ere'ana and Jack had no idea they were being watched. They'd fallen into a routine of meeting at the same spot near the cafeteria windows every day, talking about anything and everything.
"So, you survived Mr. Bragg again?" Jack asked one afternoon, leaning back in his chair.
"Barely," Ere'ana said, rolling her eyes. "I swear, he has this personal vendetta against me. Every time I answer a question, he finds a way to criticize it."
"Maybe he's just jealous of your wit," Jack teased, smirking.
"Ha, ha. Very funny," Ere'ana said, though she couldn't stop herself from smiling. "What about you? Any new adventures in the world of senior-year hell?"
Jack groaned. "Don't get me started. I had gym today, and the coach made us run laps for what felt like an hour. Pretty sure I'm dying."
Ere'ana laughed, imagining him struggling through the workout. "Poor baby. Maybe next time, you should fake a sprained ankle."
"Trust me, I considered it," Jack said, chuckling.
They talked for so long that they didn't notice Avarina and Ira watching them from across the room.
"They're so obvious," Avarina whispered, shaking her head.
"I know, right?" Ira agreed. "It's almost painful to watch."
"So, what's the plan?"
Ira grinned. "We wait. They'll figure it out eventually."
Avarina nodded, though she wasn't so sure. She had a feeling this was going to take more than just waiting.
As the days went on, Ere'ana and Jack grew closer, completely unaware of their friends' meddling. But the past has a funny way of catching up, even when you think you've left it behind.