Over the next few days, the air between Matt and me was thick with unspoken tension. We were giving each other the cold shoulder, the silence between us stretching longer with each passing moment. Snack time, once a time we spent together, was now spent with Ephraim instead. The hallway felt narrower as we walked down toward the snack bar, Matt ahead of us, and we didn’t even glance at each other, the distance between us palpable.

“What’s going on?” Ephraim asked, noticing the strained atmosphere, his curiosity piqued as he looked between us.

I shot him a frustrated look, my face tight with annoyance.

“Are you guys in a lover’s quarrel?” Ephraim teased, nudging me with an amused grin.

“Let it go, Ephraim,” I muttered, my voice colder than I intended.

“Come on, you know you can tell me,” he pressed, his tone light but insistent.

I sighed deeply, the weight of everything finally breaking through. “It’s... complicated.”

After I explained the entire situation, Ephraim nodded thoughtfully, though his expression remained unchanged. “Remember what I told you? I told you to let the guy do the work.”

I frowned, not particularly fond of his advice but knowing there was truth in it.

“I know you're overwhelmed," he added gently. "Just give it time. The school semester is almost over, anyway. A little space could help.”

“I don’t know,” I muttered, unsure of what to think or do anymore.

Just then, I heard a familiar, high-pitched voice. “Older sister!”

I turned around to see Dianne rushing toward me, her face lighting up with excitement. Knox’s younger sister, who’s a year younger than me, and honestly, the sweetest thing.

“Dianne!” I called, smiling in spite of myself, and enveloped her in a warm hug. She was just too cute, her energy always enough to make me forget everything else for a moment.

Oh, Ephraim and Dianne? I don’t know why, but I haven’t questioned why the both of them are always hanging out.

“Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria,” she said, pulling away with a gleam in her eye, eager as always.

We walked together toward the bustling cafeteria, the chatter of students filling the air like a constant buzz. As we made our way through the crowd, I spotted Matt sitting across from Stephanie, his head down as he murmured something to her. Their presence seemed to add weight to the space around us.

“Older sister, isn’t that—?” Dianne asked, her curiosity getting the better of her, her gaze flicking between me and the two of them.

“Come on, let’s just sit down,” I said, my voice tight, betraying the tension I felt bubbling beneath the surface. There was something in the air I couldn’t shake, something unspoken and unresolved. We chose a seat farther from them, hoping to avoid the weight of the situation.

I stood up to grab food, Dianne trailing behind me, and as I picked through the selection, Stephanie appeared beside me, her tray clinking lightly.

“Hi!” she greeted, her voice almost unnervingly cheery.

“Oh, hey,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice neutral, unsure how to navigate this situation.

“So, uhm… I heard from Matt that you play the piano and sing really well,” she continued, leaning in, as though I were an interesting topic she couldn’t wait to dissect.

“Yeah,” I replied, my enthusiasm as flat as it could get.

“That’s awesome! I play the guitar but I’m comfortable just singing. Maybe we could sing together sometime?” she suggested, her tone hopeful and a little too bright.

“Sure,” I answered, my voice flat, not really feeling the excitement she seemed to have for the idea.

But then, in a sudden shift, her eyes sparkled mischievously. “So, uh, the guy sitting next to you… is he your boyfriend?”

“No,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though her question took me off guard.

“Oh, come on, don’t lie! You two would make such a cute couple!” she teased, nudging me with an elbow, her voice too playful.

I stared at her for a moment, my irritation rising. “It’s none of your business,” I shot back, my words sharper than I intended.

Before she could say anything else, Matt stepped in, his face suddenly serious. “You could have just answered 'no,' Melanie,” he said, his voice carrying that tone of judgment I wasn’t in the mood for.

I felt my frustration explode. “But I did!” I snapped, my anger bubbling over.

Stephanie’s expression shifted, a flicker of apology crossing her features. “I’m sorry, Melanie,” she said softly. “I think I pried too much. It’s my fault.”

I watched them walk away, my face flushed with a mix of confusion and irritation. What just happened?