Chapter 11:
Millie tapped her pen nervously, glancing toward Alex. He looked calm, but she could tell his mind was somewhere else.
At the front, Ms. Rivera, their Social Studies teacher, clapped her hands for attention.
"Alright, everyone! Time to put those brains to work. For the next two weeks, you'll be working on a group project titled…"
She turned to the board and wrote in neat block letters:
City Life vs. Countryside Life: Pros, Cons, and Hidden Truths
A few groans rippled through the room.
"Yes, I know—another 'comparison' project," she said, half-smiling. "But this time, you'll be going deeper. Not just where the grocery store is or how fast the Wi-Fi is—think bigger. How does lifestyle affect health? Relationships? Education? Values?"
Millie tilted her head. This… actually sounded interesting.
"You'll be working in groups of three, which I've chosen based on background, perspective, and yes—compatibility."
A few students chuckled at that last part.
Ms. Rivera started reading names off a clipboard.
"Group Four: Millie, Alex, and… Pamela Shepherd."
Millie froze.
She felt it before she saw it: Pamela's unmistakable presence as the tall, graceful girl rose from her chair and gave a sweet, theatrical gasp.
"Oh! With my lovely Al? How great!"
The class laughed. Millie's heart sank. Alex didn't even turn around. His shoulders tensed slightly—but only for a second. His face looked disturbed.
Pamela sauntered past Millie's desk, flashing her a soft smile that somehow felt both friendly and impossible to read.
Ms. Rivera after calming the class, continued calling groups as if nothing had happened.
Millie looked down at her notebook, her mind swirling.
After Class
Alex slipped out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang, not sparing a glance back. His strides were fast, focused—like someone running from a ghost he didn't want to admit was real.
Pamela tried to follow, calling his name with a cheerful lilt, but was quickly intercepted by a small group of students. Some were curious about her countryside hometown, others just wanted to welcome the new girl, and a few seemed eager to get close simply because she was beautiful.
Millie sat in the classroom beside Liz, half-stirring her lunch box, her mind still clouded. Liz nudged her gently.
"You okay?" she asked. "I saw you heading to the bathroom earlier. You looked pale."
Millie nodded quickly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I just needed a second to breathe."
Liz sighed and pouted. "Ugh, I'm sad we're not in the same group. I was looking forward to working with you. But now you're with the new girl. Don't go making besties and forgetting about me."
"I could never betray you," Millie said with a soft smile. But then her tone shifted, quiet and edged with concern. "Speaking of that… why haven't I heard from you lately? I messaged you. I even called."
Liz looked away, her voice tightening. "I... lost my phone. That's all."
"Oh," Millie said, sensing something more but choosing not to push. "Well, at least I know you're okay. That's what matters."
They ate in silence for a few moments before a bright, honey-sweet voice cut through the noise.
"Hey there! You're Millie, right?"
Millie turned to see Pamela standing beside their table, radiant and smiling, her phone already outstretched.
"Nice to meet you!" Pamela continued. "Since we're going to be working together, let's be friends. Here's my contact."
Millie took the phone and added her number, still a little dazed. "Sure."
"Perfect!" Pamela beamed. Then she turned slightly, hand on her hip, and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Now I have to go find my Al. He's so shy, he ran off so nobody would see how happy he was to see me. I swear, I can't keep up with him." She giggled, fanning herself lightly as if even the thought of him made her overheat.
Just before she turned to leave, she looked at Millie again. "We should talk after school to set up a plan for the project, okay? I'm excited!"
And then she was gone, twirling through the room like a summer breeze, leaving behind a scent of perfume and unanswered questions.
Liz blinked. "That was... interesting."
Millie stared at her tray. "Do you think they know each other?"
Liz snorted. "Oh, definitely. Did you see the way he bolted out of the room? And the way she calls him 'my Al'? Something definitely happened between those two."
Millie didn't respond. She simply picked at her food, feeling her appetite vanish.
Behind the School Building – During Lunch
Alex had barely made it down the back stairwell when the sharp sound of footsteps clattered toward him.
"Finally!" Pamela's voice rang out before she appeared, breathless but beaming. "You're so mean, you know that? Making me chase you around like some kind of lost puppy. You always do this!"
Alex flinched, groaning under his breath. "Pam, why are you—"
But he didn't get far. With no warning, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his back in a crushing hug.
"I missed you!" she squealed, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. "You didn't even call, or write, or anything. I thought you said I was your countryside sunshine, remember?"
Alex froze. "You're choking me."
She giggled and held on tighter.
"Seriously, Pam. Get off." He tried to shake her off, but she clung like Velcro. "People are gonna see."
"I hope they do." She grinned, finally pulling back enough to look at him. "They should know I'm back with my Al."
Alex stepped away, exasperated. "Don't call me that."
"You used to love it!"
"I was eight."
"But it was cute!" she sang, twirling a little. "You used to say you'd marry me when we grew up. You were so sweet back then."
Alex rubbed his temples. "That was ten years ago. I was probably drunk on apple juice and the countryside air."
"Aww," she cooed, ignoring the jab entirely. "You do remember!"
Alex looked up at the sky like it might save him. "What do you even want?"
Pamela's face softened, just for a moment. "To be near you again. That's all."
"Great," he muttered. "Just great."
She reached for his arm again, and he yanked it away.
"Pam—"
But she was already walking beside him, hands behind her back, humming like nothing was wrong in the world.
And that's when the bell rang.
End of lunch
The final bell rang, and students began filing out. But Millie lingered at her desk, glancing up as Alex returned to the classroom, tired, quiet, and not alone.
Pamela clung to his arm, all smiles and radiating confidence like she belonged there. He guided her toward her seat like someone shepherding a child into place.
"Sit," Alex said, lightly pressing her shoulder down. "Stay here and don't bother me, okay?"
Pamela giggled, clearly unfazed. "You're so bossy, Al."
Alex sighed and walked around to his seat, which was directly in front of Millie. He dropped into it with an audible thud.
Millie blinked, still processing what she had just seen.
Was that... tenderness?
The three of them had agreed to meet to discuss their project—"The Pros and Cons of Countryside Life"—but what Millie hadn't expected was how natural, how weirdly *Alex and Pamela seemed close.
Pamela immediately pulled her chair closer and started scribbling random things in a notebook, chatting nonstop.
"We could compare the pace of life, like, how things are slower in the countryside but also calmer, you know?" she said, looking between Millie and Alex.
"That's good," Millie said hesitantly.
Alex leaned back, "He ran a hand through his hair."
"Pam, don't draw hearts around the bullet points."
"What? I'm making it look cute," she said, puffing her cheeks. "You need to loosen up."
"Stop. Just—let me talk first, okay? Wait. Just wait."
Millie looked from one to the other, mouth slightly open, words stuck in her throat. She had never seen Alex like this—mild, almost amused. He wasn't cold, not even slightly. He was... patient.
With her.
Pamela pouted. "You used to say I had the best handwriting in the world."
"Stop it, That was ten years ago," Alex muttered, but his voice lacked bite.
Millie felt something strange rise in her chest—confusion, anger, maybe something more. Alex was always distant from people. He tolerated others a bit, spoke only when needed. But now?
Now, he was different.
And Millie couldn't say a word.