Mara
“That’s how you like your coffee,” I said, voice low. “And I drank it that way too, Darian. Not because I liked it. I’m lactose intolerant.”
He went quiet on the other end.
“I drank it with cream and sugar so we’d have something in common,” I continued. “Just like I joined the Elite Academy—to feel close to you. To matter to you. But you never saw me. Or maybe you just chose not to.”
I could feel the ache clawing up my chest, but I didn’t let it stop me.
“You changed girlfriends like sheets and flaunted them in my face. I followed you around like a shadow, and you barely noticed. So why now?” I asked, voice cracking. “Why do you want me now? Now that I don’t drink my coffee with milk anymore. Now that I don’t orbit around you.”
He paused—long, hard silence.
“How do you like you
