The cafeteria was loud that day. Not the kind of loud that gave you a headache, but the kind that made the air feel alive chatter mixing with the clatter of trays and the occasional burst of laughter from some corner table.
Rhaine sat with her usual crew Maya on her left, Eli across from her, and an empty seat on her right that she knew, somehow, would soon be taken.
"Don't tell me you actually studied for that history quiz," Eli teased, smirking as he unwrapped his sandwich.
"I skimmed the review sheet," Rhaine replied casually, poking at her lunch.
"Liar," Maya said with mock accusation. "You went full-on library goblin yesterday. I saw you."
Rhaine rolled her eyes, trying to act indifferent, but inside she was grateful for the distraction. The truth was, she had studied like her life depended on it but not entirely for the reason they thought. Sitting still in the library had been easier than dealing with the way her chest had been tightening lately around a certain someone.
And as if summoned by thought, Sam walked into the cafeteria.
Rhaine didn't even need to look directly at her she felt it first, the way the atmosphere around their table shifted. Maybe it was just in her head, but every time Sam appeared, it was like the background noise dulled a bit. She was laughing at something another girl said as they lined up for food, hair tied in a messy bun, a few loose strands framing her face.
Maya caught Rhaine's gaze lingering for half a second too long. "Ohhh," she whispered with a smirk. "Here comes someone."
Rhaine instantly looked away, her voice a little too defensive. "Don't start."
"I'm not starting anything," Maya said innocently, but her eyes glinted with mischief.
When Sam finally approached their table, tray in hand, she greeted them with her usual casual smile. "Hey. Mind if I join?"
Rhaine froze for half a second before nodding. "Uh… yeah. I mean, sure. Sit." Smooth, she thought, instantly cringing inside.
Sam sat down right next to her — of course she did. The cafeteria was full, but somehow that seat had been the one she chose.
For the next few minutes, conversation flowed mostly between Maya, Eli, and Sam. Rhaine contributed here and there, keeping her voice steady, her expression neutral. Inside, though, her thoughts were a mess.
She kept telling herself it was nothing. She wasn't into girls. She wasn't like that. She just… appreciated Sam's company. And her laugh. And her stupid little habit of tapping her fork twice before taking a bite.
Totally normal. Totally.
"You're awfully quiet today," Sam said suddenly, turning to her.
"I'm always quiet," Rhaine replied, a little too quickly.
Sam's eyes lingered on her for a moment, as if studying her. "Not when you're comfortable," she said simply, before turning back to her food.
The comment left Rhaine oddly flustered. What was that supposed to mean?
Eli saved her from having to respond by launching into a story about a classmate who had accidentally worn mismatched shoes that morning. Maya laughed so hard she nearly choked on her juice, and for a few minutes, everything felt normal again.
Then Sam did something unexpected. She reached over and swiped one of Rhaine's fries without asking.
"Hey!" Rhaine protested.
Sam just grinned. "Sharing is caring."
Rhaine opened her mouth to argue, but instead, she found herself smiling a real smile she hadn't meant to show. Maya noticed, of course, but thankfully didn't comment… yet.
When lunch was over, the group walked out together, splitting off in different directions for their next classes. Sam slowed her pace to match Rhaine's.
"You heading to the library again later?" Sam asked.
"Maybe. Why?"
"No reason. Just thought… maybe we could study together. Or not. Your call."
Rhaine hesitated. Studying together sounded harmless. Totally harmless. "I'll… let you know," she said finally.
Sam nodded, but there was that look again the one Rhaine couldn't quite read, like Sam knew something she didn't.
They reached the hallway where their paths split, and Rhaine expected her to just say goodbye and leave. But instead, Sam paused, looked at her, and asked softly, almost too casually:
"Do you always hide the parts of yourself you don't want people to see?"
Before Rhaine could respond, Sam smiled faintly, said, "See you later," and walked away.
Rhaine stood frozen in the hallway, her heart pounding. She had no idea what Sam meant by that or how much she actually knew.
But for the rest of the day, no matter how hard she tried to focus, those words played on a loop in her head.