The next morning, I decided something important.
Ignore Kieran Vale.
Completely.
Yesterday had been strange enough. The way he looked at me… the way he said obsession like it meant something deeper than a joke.
It was unsettling.
And I didn't like feeling unsettled.
Westbrook High looked different in the morning light. The tall building reflected the early sun, and students crowded the entrance like always.
But this time, I noticed something.
People moved around someone.
Not bumping into him.
Not getting too close.
Almost like they were avoiding him.
And that someone was—
Kieran.
He stood near the entrance, leaning slightly against the wall with a book in his hand. His glasses caught the sunlight, hiding his eyes.
Calm.
Quiet.
Invisible.
At least… that's what he looked like.
For a moment, I considered walking the other way.
Then I remembered something.
I wasn't the type of person who avoided people.
Especially quiet nerds.
So I walked straight toward the building.
And straight past him.
But as I passed, a low voice spoke beside me.
"Good morning, Lily."
I stopped.
Slowly turning my head toward him.
"You were waiting for me?"
Kieran closed his book.
"No."
"You just happened to be standing here at the exact moment I arrived?"
"Yes."
I stared at him for a moment.
Then I laughed.
"You're terrible at lying."
For a brief second, something flashed in his eyes.
Amusement.
"You noticed."
"I notice things too," I replied.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then he stepped aside, allowing me to pass.
"After you."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Such a gentleman."
But as I walked past him again, I felt it.
That strange feeling.
Like his eyes were following every step I took.
Math class was exactly the same as yesterday.
Same desks.
Same boring equations.
Same quiet nerd sitting beside me.
Except today, he wasn't pretending to read.
He was watching me openly.
"You know," I said without looking at him, "most people try to hide it when they stare."
"Why would I hide it?"
"Because it's creepy."
"That depends."
"On what?"
"On whether you like it."
I finally turned to look at him.
"You think I like you staring at me?"
Kieran tilted his head slightly.
"You haven't told me to stop."
I opened my mouth to respond—
But nothing came out.
Because annoyingly…
He was right.
Instead, I changed the subject.
"So, Kieran."
"Yes?"
"How long have you been watching me?"
Silence.
Then he answered calmly.
"Since yesterday."
I rolled my eyes.
"You're lying again."
"Maybe."
I leaned closer to him slightly.
"So tell me the truth."
For a moment, he didn't respond.
Then he said quietly—
"You wouldn't like the truth."
Something about the way he said it made my stomach tighten again.
Before I could ask what he meant, the teacher called my name.
"Lily! Solve this problem."
I stood up and walked to the board.
But the whole time—
I could feel his eyes on my back.
Watching.
Studying.
Waiting.
And somehow…
That made my heart beat a little faster.
After class, I decided to test something.
I walked out of the room without looking back.
Down the hallway.
Past the lockers.
Around the corner.
Then suddenly—
I stopped.
And turned.
Kieran almost walked straight into me.
He stopped just in time.
"Following me now?" I asked.
"No."
"You're literally behind me."
"That happens when people walk in the same direction."
I laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
His eyes softened slightly.
"So are you."