I had changed. Moving on didn't feel like a struggle anymore… it just happened.
I was less of the emotional type girl and more go-with-the-flow. I became more outdoorsy. I went to school at night with Ella sometimes just to meet up with her friends because I didn't really have any. She was my only friend.
A few days later, I went over to Ella's place again.
I first noticed him when I got there. They were all sitting together, laughing about something I didn't really pay attention to. I just greeted them and sat down like usual.
He didn't say much at first. Just a small "hi" when our eyes met, then went back to listening to the others.
But I noticed he kept looking up once in a while. Not in a weird way… just brief glances, like he was trying to figure me out without making it obvious.
I didn't think much of it. I wasn't even in the mood to think about anything like that. Not after everything with Cole.
Ella later nudged me a bit during the conversation.
"That's him," she whispered slightly, nodding towards him.
Then Nelly's voice cut through the conversation.
"Who wants to play truth or dare?"
There was a short pause before everyone started reacting.
"I'm in," someone said.
"Same," another added.
I glanced around for a second, then shrugged slightly. "I'm in."
Ella turned to me. "You're actually playing?"
"Yeah," I said simply.
One by one, they kept asking each other truth or dare. It went around the circle until it got to my turn.
I was asked to kiss a guy in their friend group—Andrew. Apparently, he was the "hottest" in their circle.
I looked at him for a second. Honestly… I didn't even see what they were talking about. He just looked normal to me.
"I need water," I said quickly, getting up before anyone could say anything else.
But I didn't even go for water. I just needed to walk away for a bit.
As I stepped outside, I heard footsteps behind me.
"You got tired too?" he said.
I stopped. He had followed me. I didn't even notice when he left the group.
"God help Ella if she persuaded him to," I muttered under my breath.
I turned slightly. "I just wanted some air… and maybe something to drink."
"I'm Jay, by the way," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.
" Anna," I said, trying to force a smile, but it didn't really come through.
I wasn't in the mood for small talk. Whenever I wanted to be alone, I had to be alone… no disturbances.
"What upset you?" he asked me.
I looked at him, shocked, but I didn't show it.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"When you came, you looked all lively… but then all of a sudden your mood changed."
"I just hate hypocrites," I said. "It's unnecessary to pretend when the person already knows your real behavior."
He looked confused.
"You won't understand," I said.
"You didn't notice," I said as we walked toward the school gate.
"I noticed you were upset," he said. "And you seem pretty hard to read."
"Whatever," I said, rolling my eyes.
"So Anna, what's your level?"
I told him I was in my first year. I also found out he was done with school, just like Cole.
And then I thought… what's my deal with guys that are done with school?
We talked as we walked back to them… well, he did most of the talking.I saw Ella giving me a winking look, and I already knew she sent him after me.
I wanted to strangle her.
I sat down with her, waiting for her friends to get distracted so I could talk to her properly about what she did. But before I knew it, Jay left.
I didn't know why… but for some reason I didn't want him to leave. I didn't know why. I obviously didn't feel anything for him. But when he left, I suddenly felt like there was no need to stay there anymore.
I stood up slowly, ready to leave too… then I paused. Why do I feel like this all of a sudden? I thought I was done with this whole emotional rollercoaster.