"Why did you make Adalynn run that half-mile for you today?" Benicio's accusatory tone cut through me like an icy wind.

"I've told you before, if you're not planning to run, don't sign up. Dropping the ball at the last minute and leaving Adalynn to deal with it nearly got her in trouble."

He had already decided I was guilty.

I wanted to tell him that I never signed up for the half-mile; someone had pulled a prank and put my name down. I wanted to explain that it wasn’t because I didn’t want to run, but because my mom had fainted earlier, and I spent the entire day with her at the hospital. I needed to clarify that I never asked Adalynn to run for me; I had informed the track captain to find someone else, but somehow Adalynn ended up in my place...

But as I looked into his cold eyes, the will to explain evaporated.

He likes Adalynn. Regardless of whether my excuse was legitimate, the fact was that she got caught up in a mess because of me. Benicio knew it wasn't intentional, yet he still resented me. He blamed me for the trouble that fell upon someone he cares about.

So any explanation I could give wouldn’t calm his anger.

"I apologize."

I lowered my gaze, my voice soft.

Benicio frowned, "It's not me you should apologize to. You owe Adalynn an apology."

"Okay."

Perhaps I replied too quickly, too resolutely. He seemed caught off guard.

His frown deepened, and his intense eyes stayed on me, as if he had more to say but couldn't quite express it. In the end, he just let out a simple "hmm."

I didn't meet his gaze as I turned and headed towards Adalynn's classroom.

Adalynn, Benicio, and I were in different classes. Usually, during breaks, lunch, or on our way home, Adalynn would find Benicio and me, and the three of us would walk together. I had always thought of us as good friends.

But now, I realized I was like an awkward third wheel, always in the middle, hindering their time together. Maybe they'd been silently annoyed at my obliviousness all along.

Now that I understood, I wasn't going to intrude anymore.

For the next few days, I avoided having lunch with them in the café. After school, I found excuses to stay behind, steering clear of walking home with them. When they planned a weekend trip to the library, even though Adalynn invited me, I declined.

Maybe my abrupt withdrawal was too obvious.

Benicio finally noticed.

When Adalynn stopped by after school to get us, and I mentioned I hadn't finished my assignments, Benicio approached me at my desk.

"Which assignment are you behind on?"

His question was sharp, unsettling me.

I felt a bit guilty, "A lot."

"How much is a lot? You've been working for days and still aren't finished?"

"I'm slow; I can't write quickly."

"If you're struggling, why didn't you ask me for help?"

Benicio's persistent questioning stirred emotions I had been trying to bury, leaving me unable to hide them.

Just as I was about to lose my composure, Adalynn walked in and interrupted, "Benicio, why are you giving Lilian a hard time?"

Adalynn took my hand, "Forget about the assignments today; it's Benicio's birthday. Aren't you coming?"

At the mention of his birthday, I froze.

Benicio's cool gaze was still on me, as if disappointed I had forgotten such an important day.

In the end, Adalynn led me away to join them.

Benicio Montgomery was a trust-fund kid, so of course, his birthday bash was extravagant.

When the three of us arrived at the party, Benicio and Adalynn Watson quickly became the center of attention, swarmed by guests. Meanwhile, I was swept away by the crowd, unnoticed and unmissed. For the first time, I felt the glaring divide between our worlds.

I had known Benicio since middle school but only met Adalynn in high school. Her warm personality made us fast friends, and she often sought me out. Over time, her familiarity extended to Benicio as well. It was only then we realized that Adalynn lived in the same neighborhood as Benicio. They were neighbors. Even though they met later than I had with Benicio, it seemed fate had its way of bringing them together.

Looking through the throng, I watched Benicio and Adalynn being nudged closer by the crowd. As everyone teased them about being a perfect couple, Adalynn blushed while Benicio smirked. At that moment, I regretted tagging along; it felt like I was setting myself up for heartache. Without having brought a present, I slipped out of the ballroom.

Once home, I turned in early. But in the dead of night, I was awoken by a knock. Thinking it was my mom, I groggily opened the door, only to find Benicio standing there.

He looked serious. "Why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

I couldn't fathom the irritation in his voice. Did my presence really matter to him? Everyone was posting clips from his party in our class chat, and he didn't seem the least bit upset.

"And where's my birthday present?" he suddenly asked.

I remembered the gift I'd been working on for months and then thought of the video where Adalynn had given him a pricy scarf worth thousands. I felt a pang of embarrassment. It wasn't just that our gifts were different, but hers was lavish, while mine was a simple, amateurish scarf.

"I forgot. I didn’t have one ready," I said.

Benicio inhaled sharply. Just when he seemed about to say more, footsteps echoed in the hallway. I stepped back and shut the door.