I Heard His Thoughts While Chasing Him For A Year Chapter 10

I Heard His Thoughts While Chasing Him For A Year Chapter 10

My memories faded. Zoe had left, and Everett had finished the cleanup.

After returning the brooms, he said quietly, “Hungry? I’ll take you to the noodle place near the gate.”

Heat rushed into my face. I fanned myself to hide it.

Everett raised his hand too, and suddenly both of us were fanning me.

My heart raced.

In that moment, I became certain he liked me.

I casually mentioned that Zoe would not attend Eastbridge.

“That’s good,” he said. “Art suits her.”

[Yes. Now I can tutor Tessa alone.]

The casual answer finally broke the misunderstanding I had defended for days. Zoe’s absence made him happy only because it left more time with me.

[Why am I suddenly nervous?]

[Maintain the persona. An aloof poser does not get nervous.]

[Deep breath.]

I took several deep breaths with him.

At the café, Everett studied the menu.

I decided to experiment.

“Would you believe me if I said I could read minds?”

His mouth curved.

“Then guess what I’m thinking.”

[You’re adorable. Will you guess that I’m thinking about you?]

“You’re thinking about me.”

Everett’s hand tightened.

“Why would I think about you?”

“Because tutoring one person will be easier than tutoring two.”

[That scared me. For a second, I thought she could actually hear me.]

[Her head is always full of strange ideas.]

“I have considered that,” Everett said. “Your progress and Zoe’s were different, so…”

He launched into another explanation about school. I did not hear a word.

Flowers seemed to open inside my chest.

After that, Zoe often attended art classes off campus.

Everett acted as if he were doing her a favor.

“Zoe asked me to look after you. I’ll walk you home.”

“No thanks. I know the way.”

[Rejected. My mouth is useless.]

[Think. Find a reason to walk with her.]

We were both eighteen. How could saying “I like you” be this difficult?

I teased him.

“You and Zoe are close. You do everything she asks.”

He took the bait immediately.

“We’re only classmates. Nothing else.”

I stayed silent.

Panic showed on his face.

“Really. Believe me.

We barely speak unless you’re there.”

He explained with such urgency that the idea of him secretly pursuing Zoe became absurd. I had been the bridge between them, not the obstacle.

“Okay.”

[This is a disaster. How would an aloof guy explain this?]

[That sounded stiff and deliberate. She must think I’m immature.]

[Someone help me.]

For several seconds, I saw my old self in him.

I had once analyzed every word Everett spoke. At least Zoe and his

friends knew I liked him.

Without his thoughts, I might never have known he liked me.

The bitterness of two secret crushes tangled together.

For the first time, I felt sympathy instead of frustration. We had both spent a year interpreting silence in the worst possible way.

I threw my backpack at him.

“It’s heavy. Carry it.”

Everett caught it in surprise. Then his smile escaped.