Derek shook his head while Bryson and Aliza exchanged a look, their lips pressed tightly together in silent communication.

Bryson sat down at the kitchen table, and Aliza ladled out some soup for them.

Yasmine took a spoonful and then spoke up, “Aliza, I’ve been off my food lately. Next time, could you add a dash of vinegar to the soup?”

Aliza sighed, then asked, “Maybe you should see a doctor?”

Yasmine just shook her head. “It’s nothing. Sometimes you just crave a change of flavor.”

That was when Derek chimed in with a tease, “So, does that mean you’re thinking of replacing Boyd, too?”d2

A sharp kick under the table from his father came with a stern glare. Aliza also threw Derek a disapproving glance.

Biting back a grimace, Derek shoveled a forkful of food into his mouth.

Yasmine didn’t seem to react to the jab. After she finished her soup and picked at her food, she put down her fork.

Aliza looked worried. “You’ve hardly touched anything.”

“I’ll eat when I’m hungry,” Yasmine said, standing up.

“I’ll whip up some light snacks for you later, just in case.”

“Sure.”

The mood was subdued. Nobody said much more as Yasmine retreated to her room. A sudden breakup can mess with your appetite, that was for sure.

Back in her room, Yasmine flipped open her laptop to search for a movie with good reviews, then she grabbed her phone and curled up in her chair to play some mobile games.

She split her attention between the movie and the game. Texts and calls kept coming in, but she just cut the calls short and ignored the messages, continuing her gaming.

There weren’t many numbers on her phone, really. Aside from gaming and catching up on news, the phone might as well have existed just for Boyd. Other than him, who else would reach out to her?

She had no idea what he wanted with his relentless calls and texts, but just seeing his number irritated her. Whatever he might say would likely just annoy her further, so she kept to her movies and games, not about to let anything ruin her peace.

Downstairs, Boyd leaned against his car, scrolling through his phone, his face shadowed as he saw his messages sinking into the digital abyss. He looked up at her darkened window, where faint, colorful light flickered.

He could almost picture her at her desk by the window, half-watching TV, half-absorbed in her phone, dismissing his calls and texts without a second thought.

Knowing she wouldn’t give him the time of day was maddening, but doing nothing wasn’t an option either. It would only leave him anxious and afraid.

After a while, the light in her room went on, and he saw her silhouette. He stood and dialed her number again. But the shadow moved away, and the call went unanswered.

After her bath, Yasmine just went to bed and turned off the light.

Boyd lingered outside for nearly four hours more.

Derek, not one for tidiness, surprised himself by gathering the trash from his room and taking it out. At ten o’clock, Boyd was still there. Shaking his head, Derek approached him. “Man, you’ve made your point. Go home.”

glanced at him. “How

she snacked later. She’s fine,

over and saw his clenched jaw, the stoic

care, and has a knack for settling with whatever comes her way. What did you do to make

into tender territory,

Boyd repeated, lost in

her to settle. He could give her everything she wanted.

saint one minute, fierce as a demon the next, and stubborn as a mule. You know her, so you might as well go home. She won’t budge if she’s made up her mind, and you lingering here won’t help. If anything, it’ll make her more irritable, and then the whole

the case, then I’m sorry,” Boyd finally said. He had to see her.

taken aback. “You’re both as stubborn as each other. Fine, if you’re set on waiting, wait. I can

and his mission unaccomplished, Derek felt like he’d taken out

off, then she drew back the curtains to see that familiar car still there. She unplugged

for school with Derek. Bryson had arranged a ride for them, already

as they stepped out, Boyd got out of his

without so

Boyd a look, shrugged his shoulders,

headed straight for the university, with Boyd’s car following at a

playing games

all night, and now he’s trailing us. Look, I

didn’t look up from her game but asked, “Do you

you. If he could sleep after you sprung a breakup on him, he’d be

for a moment, then nodded. “He probably didn’t sleep. He’s

eyes. “Since you know him so well, how about you show him

spoke again,

any chance there’s a reward

incredulously. “You

answer she wanted over the phone, and she pressed further. “And what’s the penalty for the driver? A slap on the wrist and a few points off the license? Fine,

went on to describe Boyd’s car and license plate before

woman was a force to be

isn’t it? If he doesn’t admit it, the cops

without sleep is practically the same as driving drunk,

blinked. “Is that

didn’t reply, just slouched in her

over at the

her, which let her breathe a little easier. But it was just for two class periods. Boyd still

were really going to

with Derek, and Boyd was still trailing

guys are usually glued at the

instantly. A sarcastic smile tugged at

stepped on a landmine and his scalp tingled

food and pushed her plate away, picking up a yogurt to drink

through a straw. “Did I not make myself clear yesterday, or are you

keen

“I disagree.”

empty, making a fizzing sound through the straw. Setting it aside, Yasmine took a breath and said flatly,

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