Part Ten

•••

The weight of the pile of assignments pressing down on me is almost suffocating. I glance at my watch-nearly six o'clock. My stomach twists in frustration as I realize I'm only halfway through the mountain of work.

I lift my head and scan the library. The once-bustling space is nearly deserted now, with only the librarian remaining. Her glasses are slipping down her nose as she gets lost in the pages of her book, oblivious to the quiet ticking of the clock.

The silence wraps around me like a heavy blanket, broken only by the faint rustle of pages turning or the distant hum of the air conditioning. It's almost too much-too still, too empty.

I reach for the green apple on the table, its skin a deep, vibrant shade of green. I take a bite, the sharp, acidic tang cutting through my exhaustion.

The flavor is like a jolt to my system, forcing my senses to sharpen even as the weight of the assignments threatens to drag me under. I wince at the tartness, but it's enough to clear the fog in my mind for a moment.

Just as I settle into the rhythm of my work again, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I freeze. Chad's name lights up the screen. My chest tightens.

The decision feels heavier than it should. Should I answer? Or should I ignore it, let the conversation slide like the last one? The thought of explaining myself again-of dealing with Drew's name cropping up in our discussions-makes me hesitate.

With a frustrated sigh, I shove the phone back into my bag without responding. I bury myself in the assignments once more, fingers flying across the keyboard.

The hours slip by, lost to the quiet hum of my concentration. The clock ticks closer to closing time, and I'm only just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Burning the midnight oil?" Judith asks as I gather my things and head toward the door. Her voice breaks the silence, and her warm, knowing smile contrasts with the lines of age and concern etched into her face. "You should take a break. Your brain needs a rest."

I force a smile, trying to mask the exhaustion. "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm planning to do now." I offer a brief, half-hearted laugh.

Judith's eyes soften, and she peers at me over the tops of her glasses, her gaze sharper than I expect. "Why don't we head over to Dory's Diner? A little food might help you relax."

Her offer surprises me-too much, actually. For a moment, it feels almost like she's asking me out. The sudden awkwardness makes my throat tighten.

I scratch the back of my neck, a nervous laugh bubbling up. "Thanks, Judith, but I've still got some work to finish up. I need to clear my head."

She nods, but I catch the brief flicker of disappointment in her eyes, quickly hidden behind a mask of professionalism. "Take care of yourself, Dayton," she says, her tone tinged with a hint of concern.

I nod, my footsteps quickening as I make my way out of the library, eager to escape the uncomfortable moment.

The cool evening air greets me the second I step outside, sharp and fresh against my skin. I breathe it in, letting the crispness fill my lungs and push away the stale feeling of the library. But the brief relief doesn't last long.

I freeze when I spot someone leaning against my bike, casually waiting for me. Panic crawls up my spine as I recognize the silhouette. It's Chad.

My heart skips a beat, but it's not excitement I feel. It's something darker, more tangled-dread. I instinctively take a step back, my fingers tightening around the straps of my bag as I consider walking away.

But there's nowhere to hide, no way to avoid this.

The sound of footsteps echoes behind me, growing louder and more purposeful. I quicken my pace, but before I can make much ground, Chad's shadow falls across my path.

He steps in front of me, blocking my way with a smirk that's edged with something darker-irritation, frustration, and a touch of bitterness.

"Really, Dayton? Running away?" His voice is smooth but tight, like he's trying to play it cool but can't hide the undercurrent of emotion. He leans in, casually pressing my bike against the fence, his presence forcing me to stop. "I was just making sure you got home safe," he says, his grin widening as he rakes a hand through his disheveled blonde hair, the motion more for show than necessity. "I tried calling, but I guess you're avoiding me."

I step to the side, intending to slip past him, but Chad moves faster, cutting me off. "Is it because of Drew? The guy you're with now?"

His words strike me like a blow to the gut. I stop, trying to steady my breath as the tension tightens in my chest. "I can't help how I feel, Chad. I love him."

Chad's smile falters, his brown eyes darkening with something I can't quite place-hurt, maybe, or resentment. "Come on, Day," he says, voice low and a little rough. "You and I both know you're not as happy as you're pretending to be."

I feel my pulse quicken, frustration bubbling up, mixing with something else-guilt? Regret? I shake my head, my voice sharper than I intended. "Don't tell me how I should feel."

"I'm not trying to," Chad says, stepping closer, lowering his voice into a low, almost coaxing murmur. "But don't lie to yourself. We were good together. Hell, we were better than you and Drew could ever be. You know that."

The words land heavy, pushing through the walls I've carefully built. I fight to stay composed, but his proximity, his insistence, makes the air feel suffocating.

I swallow hard. "You cheated on me, Chad. It wasn't serious, just a fling. What we had-it's over. Drew... Drew makes me feel alive."

Chad's expression softens, a flicker of genuine regret crossing his face. "I know I messed up," he says quietly. "But people change, Day. I've changed. I just want a chance to prove it."

I feel a pang of something deep inside-a thread of old familiarity-but I keep my voice steady. "Chad, it's not that simple. What we had... it's in the past. I'm with Drew now, and that's where I want to be."

His eyes lock onto mine, searching, pleading. "Are you sure, Day? Or are you just scared to try again with me?"

The weight of his gaze presses on me, but I don't falter. I take a deep breath, steadying myself, the cool evening air filling my lungs. "I love him. It's not about fear. It's about moving forward."

Chad exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair, the motion agitated. "I just want you to be happy, Day. Even if it's not with me."

The words hang in the air between us, heavy and unresolved. The distant hum of the city fills the silence, the streetlights flickering on, casting long shadows across the pavement.

I glance away, feeling the weight of everything-the past, the present, the choices we've made.

"I know," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the murmur of the city around us. "But I have to follow my heart."

Chad nods slowly, as if coming to terms with something he's known all along but didn't want to face.

A trace of hope lingers in his expression, but it's mixed with resignation. "I get it, Day. I just hope you find what you're looking for."

He steps back, giving me the space I need, but I can't stop the ache that stirs inside me as I watch him walk away. The echoes of our past seem to follow him, lingering in the cool twilight air. But I know this is the right choice.

"I hope so too," I murmur, more to myself than to him.

Chad glances back one last time, offering a faint, sad smile. "Take care of yourself, Dayton."

"I will," I reply softly, my voice steady despite the weight of the moment. As he disappears into the growing darkness, I stand there for a moment longer, the cool evening pressing in around me, before turning toward home.

The night feels different now-colder, perhaps-but clearer. There are no more questions left, just the quiet certainty of the road ahead.

•••