Ice on the Outside, Screaming Love on the Inside Chapter 09

Ice on the Outside, Screaming Love on the Inside Chapter 09

My thoughts snapped back to the present. Marnie had already left.

Joren finished cleaning too. After putting the brooms away, he said softly, “Hungry? I’ll take you to that

Italian place near school.”

My face suddenly felt hot, and I awkwardly fanned myself with one hand.

I was only trying to hide my embarrassment, but then Joren raised his hand too.

So there we were, both of us fanning my face.

My heart raced.

In that moment, I was sure of it-

Joren liked me.

Trying to sound casual, I mentioned that Marnie wasn’t applying to Harvard anymore.

He gave a distracted little “Mm.”

“That’s good. It suits her.”

[Yes! Now I can tutor just her.]

[Why am I suddenly nervous?]

[No. Stay in character. Aloof heartthrobs do not get nervous.]

[Deep breaths. Deep breaths…]

Without thinking, I took a few deep breaths too.

At the restaurant, Joren looked down at the menu.

Feeling bold, I said, “Joren, would you believe me if I said I could read minds?”

The corner of his mouth lifted.

“Then guess what I’m thinking.”

[She’s so cute. Think she’ll guess I’m thinking about her?]

“About me?”

Joren tightened his grip on the menu, but he still tried to play it cool.

“I… why would I be thinking about you?”

“You’re obviously thinking that tutoring one person is way easier than tutoring two.”

[Oh my God, that scared me. For a second I thought she could actually hear me.]

[Her little brain is always full of the weirdest ideas.]

“Yeah, I did think about that. You and Marnie have different study needs…”

Then he launched into another long explanation about schoolwork.

I didn’t hear a word of it. I was practically floating.

After that day, Marnie spent more and more time off campus at a portfolio-prep program.

And Joren started showing up beside me more and more often, always with some excuse.

“Marnie told me to look out for you. I’ll walk you home tonight.”

“No need. I know how to get home.”

[She rejected me. I’m so bad with words.]

[Come on, brain, think. I need another excuse to walk with her.]

I was honestly speechless.

We were both eighteen. Was saying “I like you” really that hard?

I decided to tease him. “You and Marnie are really close. You do whatever she says.”

Joren took the bait immediately.

“Marnie and I are just classmates. That’s it.”

I said nothing.

He visibly panicked.

“Seriously. Believe me. We barely even talk.”

“Oh.”

[I’m screwed. How is an aloof guy supposed to explain this?]

[That sounded so dry and forced. She definitely thinks I’m awkward and immature now.]

[God, somebody help me. I have no idea what I’m doing.]

I froze for a few seconds, suddenly remembering my old self.

Back then, I’d spend forever analyzing every single thing Joren said.

At least Marnie knew I liked him. His friends could tell too.

Joren, on the other hand… if I couldn’t hear his thoughts, I might’ve gone my entire life without realizing he

liked me.

I tossed my backpack to him. “It’s heavy. Carry it for me.”

Joren looked genuinely stunned.

Then the corners of his mouth started lifting before he could stop them.