Tyler
I noticed it on Monday.
But I told myself to focus, take my mind off whatever had Sydney Walker in it, and just walk away.
But the next day, though, it became a little more obvious, and there was no way I was going to ignore it.
I didn’t even want to think about it before, but the idea of Dean and Sydney as partners had struck me the wrong way after that class.
There’s no problem with that, right?
Dean is just some wild, flirty piece of shit that makes jokes about the littlest things and always gets away with it because he has a reputation.
But the truth is, Dean, like me, is capable of winning any girl over.
Actually, not exactly like me because I’ve heard stories of Moms cussing at him.
Most moms love me.
The point is, Sydney around Dean was bad news.
Unlike me, Dean moved without conscience, and as much as he was a ladies’ man, a lot more hated him—and not just because he’d broken their hearts.
At first, I thought Dean wouldn’t show up for the project at all, and Sydney would be forced to do it alone and submit it in both their names.
But what happened in the hallway told me otherwise.
As expected, everyone was hyped about Brooklyn’s birthday and the game next week.
Flyers were falling off lockers, and girls were smiling like they’d just been handed special invites to heaven.
Me and the guys were perched around in a corner talking about the game when Sydney walked in.
I noticed her before she noticed me.
And I had to keep my eyes on the ball and on the guys talking, for me not to look her way.
Because if I did?
The mental conversation I had earlier would flutter with the wind.
Well, not until Brooklyn and her crew showed up in that attention pulling way they normally did.
Everyone’s necks turned, but my gaze shifted to Sydney as she watched them with longing in her eyes.
Like she could see something in them that she couldn’t have.
Her cheeks were flushed, books clutched tightly against her chest, her hair let down in that way that didn’t allow me look away.
Then Brooklyn slammed her flier against my chest.
“You all better be there.” She said, walking away.
I looked down at the shiny flier with Brooklyn’s face brightly pasted there like she was saying, look at me, I’m the main character—as usual.
She loved Brooklyn.
“Yo, Brooklyn’s party’s going to be lit,” one of the guys said, snatching the flier.
“1.0, it can’t flop.”
”It will if her sister’s there to swim in wine.” Someone else said, and everyone laughed.
But me?
I just managed a smile, my gaze shifting to Sydney, who had paused in her tracks.
And suddenly, the girls’ conversation at the gym fluttered into my mind.
“She probably wouldn’t even show up.” I blurted.
Right on time, Sydney turned, and my smile faded.
Hurt shimmered in her eyes as she stared back at me.
And just when I turned away, I caught Dean’s smile, his eyes fixed on her.
“Oh, she’ll show up alright,” he said aloud.
“I’m counting on it.”
And then he waved.
He fucking waved at Sydney Walker!
It actually made my heart sink to my feet.
But before I could look back at Sydney, she was already walking away.
I tried not to overthink it.
I mean, this was Dean Monroe, everyone knew he messed around a lot.
He was probably messing around with her.
Besides, she didn’t react.
But that wasn’t what made me go mad.
It was after practice that day.
The boys were tired and sweaty.
School was almost empty, safe for a few teachers, some nerds, the guys, and then coach.
Practice had just ended after one brutal session of jogging, plays, drills, and dunking.
I, Micheal, and some other guys were perched on a bench with bottles of water in our hands, talking about how hard coach was making us play.
And how coach hadn’t yelled at me that much.
It was funny at first.
I was focused, laughing about someone who’d tripped trying to steal the ball.
But somehow, I could feel Sydney’s presence before I even saw her. Get faster updates on novelping.com.
And when I turned towards the doors of the gym, she was standing there, a book clutched in her hand.
“What’s Sydney doing here?” Micheal asked.
I swallowed, my eyes fixed on her.
“Probably searching for a bigger reading space.” I blurted.
The guys burst out laughing.
But Dean detached from the group, laughter still on his lips.
“She’s here for me.”
His words echoed.
And for some reason, I couldn’t look away as he got to where Sydney stood.
Sydney stretched out the book she was holding to him.
Dean hesitated at first, but still took it.
Then he said something.
And…Sydney smiled.
Yes, you read right.
Sydney smiled at Dean Monroe!
I nearly lost it.
My blood boiled beneath my skin.
But I told myself not to overthink it as I laid in bed that night, doing a throw and catch with my wall.
“I mean, they were partners for the chemistry assignment.” I said.
“Sydney laughs at Maeve’s jokes all the time.
It’s totally normal, right?”
Silence.
I caught the ball and turned.
Realizing I was the only one in my room and I’d been talking to myself.
Aloud.
My dog whined on the floor beside my bed.
“Great.
I’m talking to my dog again.” I pushed off my back and reached for her treats, pouring them into her bowl as I tried to calm my nerves.
Because why the hell was I getting worked up over Sydney Walker smiling at someone?