The Boy I Wasn't Supposed to Love

ng packed backpacks, voices overlapping as everyone prepared for the overnight adventure at the arboretum. We had planned to arrive much earlier, hoping to sec

silently hoping Matthew and Mark hadn't arrived yet. That hope vanished the moment we climbed aboard. Near the back of the bus, Mark and Matthew were already seated

et's sit over

n Sophia's voice stopped us.

it over there? I'd li

stood up and stepped aside. Catherine's patience snapped instantly. She rushed

get up!" So

replied flatly. "I d

tched me ask Matthew t

atherine shrug

Mark. "Mark, te

w a sharp look. Without saying anything, Mark stood up and moved to sit beside Betty i

pulled him toward a different seat. We sat together quietly. With no other option left, Sophia sank down beside Ca

em and couldn't

get into a fight if they sa

ering. "They won't, I think they need to know that they l

d, though his voice sounded distracte

but persistent. "By the way, you've not been looking

perfectly fine," Matthew re

k you are, something seems to

e, clearly surprised. "

," I answe

d the window as he rumbled forward. "My

a good thing?"

exam is coming up. Once my dad's around, it'll

ressure is inevitable," I said. "Why invite

mall smile easing onto his fac

ned. "Want to liste

already using the phone like a pro," he te

them," I laughed. "Help

n from the feeling it gives you inside. You shoul

ll like what

nt, he nodde

istened carefully, nodding or shaking his head, telling me which song to delete and which to keep. As the bus

vel as it turned into the arboretum's driveway. Students er

pered, blinking awak

et your bag,

ng both. I followed closely be

atherine hurried over.

replied, st

and grinned. "Lucky you. I spe

hers. "You've got time

eyes driftin

e bus, waiting until everyone had

she announced brightly. "Before you head off, all

mpanied us. The senior walked down the line, and one by one, we drop

orking in groups of five. Here's today's challenge: the first three groups to

itement ran thr

ave exactly two hours, and don't forget s

stered together, calling out names and pulling friends along. Mark remained s

ser to me. "Aren't

ll over there," I

d. "I'll

started walking back with him, until B

while we look for others?" she sugge

hew replied calmly. "We

d I approach

t," Catherine said smoot

y, but the moment barely las

he demanded. "Are you kicking someon

group," Catherine said f

closer to Mark. "Unfortunately, you don't get to decid

ut looking at her, he simp

I stared at

muttered. "Did they

ering across her face. "Whatever it is, I'm enjoying

ing and quickly moved i

ing as a team, everyone drifted off in slightly differ

start?" Catherine asked,

tell me you're tired alrea

ally know what the tree

e've been studying it for

trees. "Still, look at this place. The el

re not moving together, how are

here," Matth

r, Sophia trail

firmly. "Right now, I don't even know wh

solid grades in biology. Why d

't mean everyone else doesn't," I snapp

hould

"Why would you? You only

Catherin

heard him. He doesn't care that som

tween us. "We all

down," Mark said coolly. "What is

d stop it. Anger burned hot in my chest, sharp and s

t I look like when I'm truly

talk?" Sophia a

toward her at

private?" Catherine said. "We don't have

d, already turni

going with her?"

ered. Sophia and Mar

ld let them talk

ed, grabbing my wrist and

and Mark finally stopped, she glanced around, scanning the area to be sure they wer

right," Matt

erine snapped u

silent, and

clearly sad, "have y

't," he

ep distancing yourself? I'm not

anything wron

m. "Then explain the bus

, I'll tell you. I just

ophia echo

re getting the wr

repeated. "What exactly

her. Like... In a relat

hing for each other?

," Catherin

" I w

sharply. "Don't tell m

I supposed to thi

"I care about you. But not

o much for me. You've saved me more than once. We've spent

ou're my friend. A friend I care deeply abou

way. "Just friends? Th