I Heard His Thoughts While Chasing Him For A Year Chapter 03

I Heard His Thoughts While Chasing Him For A Year Chapter 03

The next day, Zoe dragged me to the gym early to save seats.

I handed her Everett’s sports drink.

“You give it to him. I’ll just watch.”

She looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

At halftime, Everett ran toward us. Zoe tossed him the bottle, then opened another for Owen, the boy she liked.

I watched them with mixed feelings.

Zoe had eaten with Owen twice, and they already acted comfortable together. I had brought Everett drinks for a year, and he still treated me like ice.

How could one person’s heart be impossible to warm?

Everett caught me looking.

“If we win, I’m taking everyone out tonight. You and Zoe should come.”

I gave him a dull nod.

[Why does she keep looking at everyone except me?]

[I planned to let Derek Hayes take MVP, but now I need to play.]

[When we win, I’ll buy her a sweet cupcake. She isn’t allowed to focus on anyone else.]

I studied him. His gaze kept drifting toward Zoe and Owen.

Of course. He was jealous.

The whistle ended the break. Everett looked at me once before returning to the court.

“Not feeling it today?”

“I’m fine.”

I could not even force out a cheer.

Normally, I would have shouted until my throat hurt and celebrated every basket.

That afternoon, I could only watch him play harder whenever Zoe looked toward the court.

I gave my foam sticks to Zoe and returned to the classroom to sleep. She followed me, shocked.

“Are you okay? You’ve been exhausted for two days.”

My clueless best friend still had no idea Everett liked her. I would not become his spokesperson.

He was the smartest boy in school and somehow could not pursue one girl.

“I’m fine. I just don’t want to like Everett anymore.”

Zoe’s mouth nearly fell open.

“Teenage feelings,” she finally said.

I meant to skip Everett’s celebration that night, but Zoe loved anything social and dragged me along.

“Come on. You look awful.

This will help.”

What could I do when my best friend begged?

We ate, then moved to a karaoke lounge. I hid in a corner with my phone until Everett sat beside me and placed a cupcake in front of me.

He had promised a sweet cake in his thoughts after the game, and there it was. I told myself the gift only existed because Zoe had inspired him to win.

He sounded cold even while trying to comfort me.

“No one improves on every test. Work harder next time.”

I copied his usual tone.

“Sure.”

Zoe sat on my other side, trapping me between them.

[Why is she brighter than a spotlight?]

[How am I supposed to talk to my favorite person with her sitting here?]

I jumped up.

“I need the restroom.”

My chest tightened and my throat burned. I washed my face and steadied myself.

On the way back, I saw Everett waiting against the wall. My heart leaped before Zoe approached carrying a bag of ice-cream bars.

“Someone lost a party game and bought these for everyone.”

I forced a smile.

I had been foolish. Everett was waiting for her, not me.