Chapter 10

Alexandria

As soon as I close the door behind me, I sigh in relief, pressing my back against it. Gabi's voice rings through the wood, her excitement practically vibrating through the barrier.

"Lex, you better tell me everything later!"

I roll my eyes, shaking my head with a small laugh before collapsing onto my bed. Finally, I can read Macklin's message without Gabi's nosy eyes lurking over my shoulder.

Macky: Hey, it's Macklin. I hope it's cool that I got your number from Will. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were avoiding me.

A smirk tugs at my lips. Avoiding him? Please. My life has been nothing but nursing lectures, five-hour study sessions, and caffeine-fueled nights. I quickly type back:

Lexi: Avoiding you? No way. I've just been drowning in textbooks and Philz coffee. It's been so bad, I think the barista knows my name, my order, and my life's struggles at this point.

The typing bubble pops up immediately.

Macky: Sounds like you need an intervention. Or at least a break. How was your day?

I bite my lip, debating how much to say before finally typing:

Lexi: Gym, class, study session that lasted so long I think I became one with the library. Then I walked in on Will and Gabi watching Harry Potter together. Just them. On the couch. Her head on his shoulder. Very suspicious behavior.

Macklin's response comes fast.

Macky: Ohhh. So that's why Will hasn't been asking to hang out or shoot hoops lately. Dude's been busy watching wizards instead.

I grin, shaking my head.

Lexi: Guess hockey isn't his whole personality after all. Who would've thought?

Macky: Yeah, shocking development. Speaking of studying, do you need a study buddy? I'm free tomorrow—off day on Sundays.

My fingers hover over the keyboard. A study buddy? With Macklin Celebrini? Probably not my smartest idea. But before I can think too hard about it, my thumbs move on their own.

Lexi: That actually sounds nice. I'll see you tomorrow then.

I don't even realize I'm smiling until Gabi's voice cuts through the door again.

"Lex, I can feel your smile radiating through the damn door!"

My stomach drops. Crap. She's never going to let this go.

I groan, dragging a hand down my face before begrudgingly opening the door. She's standing there, arms crossed, looking way too pleased with herself.

"Let me see," she demands, pushing past me and hopping onto my bed.

I hand her my phone, watching as her eyes scan the messages. She gasps, whipping her head toward me.

"We have to find you a cute outfit."

I scoff, snatching my phone back. "It's just a study session."

Gabi raises an eyebrow. "Correction: Study date."

I point a finger at her. "Nope. You're reading too much into it. He's just being nice."

A slow smirk spreads across her face. "A good friend once told me that a guy like him—who's constantly busy—chooses to spend his time with you."

My jaw drops. "Did you seriously just use my own words against me?"

"Damn right I did." She looks smug. "So, back to the outfit—"

"Nope," I cut her off, waving my hands in front of me. "He's just a friend. And will remain that way. I do not need a boyfriend right now. What I need is a degree."

Gabi tilts her head. "Who said you can't have both?"

I open my mouth, but no words come out. She straight up gagged me. I blink at her in stunned silence, and she takes my moment of weakness as her cue to grab my shoulders.

"Let me at least help you pick an outfit," she pleads, batting her lashes dramatically.

I sigh, already knowing I've lost. "Fine."

She squeals in victory, diving into my closet. After way too much deliberation, we finally settle on olive green straight-leg pants, a plain gray crop top, and a leather jacket, paired with my Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Reverse Mocha sneakers.

Gabi clasps her hands together, satisfied. "Okay, I'll let you get your beauty sleep. But you better tell me everything tomorrow."

I shake my head, amused. "Goodnight, Gabi."

She grins before disappearing through the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I glance at my phone one more time, rereading Macklin's last message.

I might regret this, I think to myself.

But even as I tell myself that, the small, giddy feeling bubbling in my chest says otherwise.

The buzzing of my phone on the nightstand cuts through the silence of my room, causing my stomach to do an immediate flip. I glance at the screen, and the ringtone blaring "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake makes me roll my eyes. Will. Of course. He changed his ringtone to that in 6th grade, and I've never been able to bring myself to change it.

I answer with a sigh. "Heyy."

"Did he text you?" Will's voice is practically vibrating through the phone.

Wow, no "hi," no "hello, how are you"—just straight to the point. "Hi, hello, how are you?" I tease.

"Hi, hello, how are you? Did he text you?" Will asks again, pushing.

I can't help but laugh at his excitement. "Yes, he did." I say, trying to stay unbothered.

"AND??" He's practically shouting now.

I roll my eyes. "Will, we're just friends, and it's going to stay that way."

"Yeah, sure. So, what'd you guys talk about?"

"Just how my day's been. We're going to study together tomorrow," I reply, the words feeling so casual, like they don't mean anything.

"YES! My boy's in!" Will shouts, sounding way too excited for my liking.

"In for friendship," I push back, a grin tugging at my lips.

"Keep telling yourself that," Will says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I change the subject. "Anyways, enough about me. What about you and Gabi? What happened earlier?"

"Nothing to talk about," he deflects quickly.

"Are you into her?" I press, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Will sighs. "She's really cool. I like getting to know her.. You wouldn't be mad?"

I pause for a moment, thinking it over. "Why would I be mad? That would be amazing. My two best friends together? It'd be like I'm living in a rom-com. But I'd have to third wheel all the time."

"You wouldn't third wheel if you go out with Macklin," Will says, his voice too smug. "Then it'd be the four of us."

"Yeah, in your dreams, buddy," I reply, not buying his teasing.

"Naw, in your dreams. You were probably smiling like a 6th grader when you guys were texting," Will laughs.

"No, I wasn't." I try to sound serious, but my voice betrays me with a slight laugh.

"Sure," he says, teasing. "And if I ask Gabi, can she back you up?"

On second thought, I reconsider. "Maybe I don't want you to ask her out."

"No, I'm just playing!" Will laughs, clearly enjoying himself at my expense.

"Goodnight, Will." I crawl under the covers, the conversation swirling around in my mind.

"Goodnight, Lex," he says, his voice softening just a little.

I pull the blanket up to my chin, staring at the ceiling, still feeling the warmth from the messages. But as I let the exhaustion take over, I can't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, this little study session with Macklin is going to be the start of something more than just schoolwork.

-=+=-Do you guys like me including outfit inspo photos or just keep it up to your imagination/desires?I gotta start studying and be an academic weapon like lex 😔😔