School on Monday was every bit as painful as I expected it to be.

My only saving grace was that I had been able to change my number once I got home on Sunday, and I only given my new number to Isla and Bella, and reluctantly my parents.

Kidding, kind of.

"When do you think we'll be able to eat in the cafeteria again?" Isla asked me. We were sitting underneath a tree in the courtyard, balancing our lunches on our knees. We had sat at our usual table for about five minutes before rushing outside. I don't know why these boys thought I would be agreeing to go on dates with them after only breaking up with Evan on the weekend, but it was really starting to get on my nerves.

"Not until Indie has a new boyfriend," Bella said as she took a bite out of her sandwich.

I rolled my eyes, "it's only because it's so new. They'll get bored in a day or so."

"Yeah, sure Indie. Whatever you say." Isla responded.

"Seriously, I was single for years before Evan, and it wasn't like this then." I tried to remember my life before I had a boyfriend, it seemed pretty normal.

"No. It was exactly like this, you were just used to it," Bella said, her voice flat.

I scrunched my nose in response. It wasn't that I was so desirable that every guy wanted to date me, I'm sure that's not the reason. It was more than likely that these guys wanted a chance to piss off Evan, who had his fair share of enemies. The football team were pretty much rivals with every other team on campus.

"It's not because of Evan," Bella hummed out. I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Are you sure you're not a witch?" I teased.

"No, I just know you and your strange little mind. You're beautiful, Indie, even if you don't know it." She smiled softly at me.

***

I sat in the back of my photography class, as usual. I had my AirPods in, with my hair tucked behind my ears so that everyone who was trying to talk to me could see them, an easy trick to disengage from all conversation. Mrs. Wilson gave us the whole period to work with my partners, and I smiled at Chase as he made his way back to sit beside me.

"Hey Chase," I greeted him as I plucked the AirPods from my ears and tucked them neatly into the white case that was sitting on my desk.

"Indie," he smiled as he sank into the seat next to me.

"What's on the agenda for today?" I asked, pulling out the outline of the project from my binder and running my eyes down the list of things we need to accomplish.

"We need to decide whether we are shooting our project on digital or on film." He cocked his head at me like he was waiting for my input.

I pursed my lips before answering. "What's the difference?"

Chase chuckled before launching into a detailed explanation on the pros and cons of each medium. I nodded and tried to listen intently, but I started  wondering if he was still speaking English. I found myself staring at him instead, noting how his eyes seemed lighter today than they did the day I was over at his house.

"Indie?" I forced my brain to concentrate again and found Chase looking at me.

"Yes?" I smiled up at him, hoping he didn't notice that I was blushing because he caught me staring.

"Any thoughts?" He said after a moment, the corner of his lips turning upwards.

"My thoughts... are that you should decide." I gave him my sweetest smile, suddenly feeling like he was about to test me on what he was just explaining.

Chase laughed, "here, I'll show you." He bent down and opened his bag, digging through it.

"Hey, Indie." I looked towards the boy calling my name, I recognized him from the football team, and was relieved because that meant he probably wasn't going to hit on me, since he was likely friends with Evan.

"Hey." I couldn't remember his name, so that was the best I could do.

He was sitting a few rows ahead of me, so he was speaking loud enough that most of the class could hear. "What are you doing tonight?"

I pursed my lips, "Working on the project, I think." I glanced over at Chase, who was staring at the guy with a sour look on his face.

"Ditch him. Let me take you out." The guy smirked at me.

I raised my eyebrows, "aren't you friends with Evan?"

He chuckled at me. "Not good enough friends, so 7?"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "I'm busy, with the project. Thanks anyways." I shot him a tiny smile before turning back to Chase, who was still glaring at the guy. "Chase." I whispered, and he pulled his attention back to me, but he only met my gaze for a second before looking down at the desk.

"We can reschedule, if you want." Chase mumbled as he opened his leather portfolio.

"I don't want to." I said softly, as his head snapped back up and he looked me in the eyes.

"You sure?" He smiled.

"Of course I'm sure."

Chase spent the remainder of the class showing me pictures that he took on film and pictures he digitally took, pointing out the small differences. I pretended like I could see the things he was talking about, but mostly I was just admiring the way he spoke so passionately about it. When the bell rang, we both packed our things before walking out of the room together.

"What class do you have now?" I asked him as we paused outside of the doorway.

"Uh..." he looked at me with the same look he always gives me when I say something that doesn't quite make sense to him, "I have English, and so do you. We're in the same class."

I frowned, trying to think about how it's possible I didn't notice him in the class before. It was likely because Evan is also in that class and he spent the entire period distracting me. "You want to walk together?"

"Sure." He stated as he began to walk again. I walked with him, popping my ear buds back in, even though I wasn't listening to anything. Chase didn't make conversation as we arrived at the classroom, as we walked inside I heard the voice of the last person I wanted to see.

"Indie!" Evan was standing at the back of the room, his hand outstretched and waving me over to him. I paused, realizing I couldn't sit where I usually sit and glancing around to see if there were any seats available. I saw Chase sit down next to Asher, who I also didn't realize was in this class. There was an empty seat on the other side of Asher, and one remaining beside Brock from the lacrosse team, who flicked his chin up when I glanced at him. I quickly weighed the options and walked over to Asher and Chase.

"You mind if I sit here?" I asked Asher.

"Oh...shit, Indie. I would say yes but I usually save this seat for Lauren." He said slowly, glancing at Chase.

"Oh, okay. No worries." I muttered, trying to hide my disappointment before turning and walking towards Brock, who sat up straighter in his seat as I sat down beside him.

"You're not saving this for anyone, right?" I asked Brock, praying that he would say no, otherwise I'd have to go sit with Evan.

"No, you're good." He smiled at me. I pulled my books out as the teacher stood up. Before he could speak, a pretty blonde girl rushed into the class and took the seat beside Asher. I watched as she leaned behind him and brushed her hand against Chase, whispering to him. He smiled back at her, whispering back, her hand lingering on him. His girlfriend, maybe? I forced my attention back to Mr. Abbot, who was speaking now.

I listened to Mr. Abbot drone on about Shakespeare, the subject we were currently studying, when I felt Brock nudge me. I looked at him, and he pointed to a piece of paper that he had shoved to my side of the desk, it was blank except for a small scribble at the top.

I'm sorry about lunch the other day :(

I shot him a smile before writing back.

Don't worry about it.

I nudged it back towards him, and only a few seconds later he pushed it back.

You look really pretty today.

When I looked up at him, he gave me a small wink.

You look pretty too.

He had to fight to contain his laugh when he read that.

My mom told me the same thing when she dropped me off this morning.

I let out a small giggle.

Your mom drops you off?

Only when I miss the bus.

Makes sense.

Did you have fun at the concert? I saw your post.

It was very fun. I love that picture.

Me too.

I didn't write back, so he wrote again.

I felt bad all weekend. I thought you knew. I wouldn't have asked you out otherwise.

You still would have asked me out hours after I found out my boyfriend was cheating on me?

I've been waiting to ask you out every day since I transferred here last year.

I glanced up and saw Brock was fully turned towards me now, not even pretending to pay attention to the lesson. His mouth was in a straight line as he was watching me read what wrote.

I didn't know that.

I vaguely remember when Brock had transferred to the school, as all the girls were gossiping about the hot new lacrosse player. I didn't talk to him until this summer, at a bonfire party.

I don't think you ever noticed me until I tricked you into giving me your number.

I giggled, knowing exactly what he was talking about. At the party, he told me he had found one of my textbooks the last day of school and he wanted to return it. I didn't even blink as I entered my number into his phone, but when I asked him about it the next day, he said he read the name on it wrong. As I was beginning to write back, the bell rang. I looked up to the front of the classroom, wondering where the time went. As I began to gather my things and stand up, Brock gently laid his hand on my arm, signalling me to wait.

"I really am sorry, Indie. I figured you were mad at me since you were ignoring my texts." Brock said softly.

"Oh, about that. I had to get a new number. I'll send you a text from it, so you have it." I assured him, feeling slightly guilty.

"Wow, I didn't even have to trick you this time." He replied. I laughed before seeing Chase from my peripheral vision, he was standing at the front of the classroom and looking in my direction. When I caught his eye he shot me a soft smile. I said goodbye to Brock and walked to meet him.

"Mr. Sutton." I said as I reached him, watching him smile at my greeting.

"Sorry to, uh, interrupt, but I just wanted to see if we were still meeting tonight. I don't have your new number," Chase said, his eyes darting to the side.

"Shit, right. I'll text it to you. What were you thinking for tonight?" I pulled out my phone and found Chase's number, sending him a quick text.

"Well, the sun sets at 6:43 tonight. So do you want to meet around 6:30 in the parking lot of the beach?" He asked.

"I'll pick you up, around 6:15?" I didn't want him to have to take the bus all the way there.

"I can take the bus, Indie." Chase insisted.

"No, no. I'll pick you up. 6:15." I smiled at him, and we started to walk out of the room.

"Indie! Wait, please." I heard Evan shout from the classroom.

"Fuck." I muttered, debating whether to stop and talk to him, or have him no doubt follow me down the hall.

"You want me to stay?" Chase asked me, his eyes darting between Evan and me.

I shook my head, not wanting him to have to witness this. He nodded and waved, before turning and walking out.

"What?" I said as Evan approached me.

"Babe, can we talk? Please." Evan grabbed my shoulder, preventing me from moving away from him.

"Let go, and I'll consider it." I said, my tone cold. He quickly dropped his hand.

"Indie, please just listen. It was nothing, a mistake. She was all over me, and it was just a moment of weakness where I kissed her back for one minute. Just one minute, I promise. It meant nothing and I instantly regretted it," Evan gushed out, pleading with me.

"Bro, everyone knows you've been sleeping with Chelsea for the last two months. She told anyone who would listen," Evan turned around to reveal Brock, who was leaning against the teachers desk, no doubt having heard everything Evan just said.

I felt my stomach drop as I watched Evan's face twist in anger. "Shut the fuck up, Brock, this doesn't concern you." Evan barked at Brock, "don't listen to him, Indie," he continued as he looked back toward me.

"Is that true?" I asked him, surprised that my voice came out as calm as it did. "Evan. Is it true?"

Evan hesitated, before sighing. "It was only a couple times, Indie. I thought about you the whole time."

"Don't follow me. Actually, you know what? Don't talk to me ever again." I spat at him before turning on my heel, willing the tears not to fall from my eyes until I was in the safety of my car.