January 27th rolled in with a cold breeze drifting across Lincoln High.
Brandston tightened his jacket a little as he walked across the courtyard toward first period. Joel, of course, was right next to him, bundled up like he was preparing for a snowstorm, even though it was barely chilly.
"Bro, I'm telling you," Joel said through chattering teeth. "California weather betrays you. One day it's hot, next day… boom. Frozen like Elsa."
Brandston just shook his head, half-listening.
Because the real problem today?
Audrey.
She was… acting different.
Normally she'd glance at him a few times in the hall. Maybe small smiles, quick nods.
Today? She walked right past him like he didn't even exist.
No eye contact.
No smile.
Not even a "hey."
It shouldn't have bothered him as much as it did.
But it did.
He kept sneaking glances all through first period — only to see her laughing with her friends, talking, completely chill.
Like he wasn't even in the room.
Joel caught on fast. Halfway through class, he scribbled a note and slid it over:
"BRO. SHE MAD AT YOU? WHAT U DO??"
Brandston just sighed.
He didn't do anything.
Or… did he?
Vanessa.
It had to be.
Lunchtime came around, and Joel dragged Brandston to the cafeteria, chattering non-stop about a new cafeteria hack involving "secret menu fries" — whatever that meant.
Brandston barely heard him.
Because as soon as they stepped into the cafeteria…
Vanessa was there.
And not just sitting.
Waiting.
Waving.
Smiling like she had just won a prize at a carnival — and Brandston was the prize.
Her "crew" was with her, of course. Madison, Kylie, and Roxanne, all giggling behind their hands like they already knew something juicy was about to go down.
Joel noticed instantly.
"OH. HELL. NAH," Joel said, backing up dramatically. "I'm invisible. You got this, king."
He fake-saluted Brandston and beelined toward a random lunch table, leaving Brandston alone.
Traitor.
Brandston debated turning around too, but Vanessa was already striding over, ponytail swinging, confidence pouring out of her like she owned the whole building.
"Hey, stranger," she said sweetly. "Come sit with us."
It wasn't a request.
Brandston hesitated — long enough for Vanessa to link her arm with his and practically drag him toward her table.
The whole cafeteria was watching now.
Audrey, sitting with her friends across the room, caught it all.
Brandston saw her pause mid-conversation, her eyes hardening just a bit.
Then… back to smiling like nothing happened.
It hurt worse than any punch he'd ever taken.
Vanessa sat him down next to her, way too close, launching straight into a convo about "plans this weekend" and how "they should totally hang out."
Brandston answered in short words. Nods. Shrugs.
Trying — desperately — not to encourage anything.
But Vanessa? Unbothered.
She laughed, twirled her hair, leaned in like they were already a couple.
And meanwhile?
Joel — sitting at another table — kept miming SOS signals with his hands, acting like he was trapped in a hostage situation.
It would've been hilarious if Brandston wasn't dying inside.
Later that day, on the walk back to the dorms, Joel finally exploded.
"BRO. WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Brandston groaned, rubbing his face.
"I don't know, man."
"She's INSANE, bro! She's got "I will marry you by force" energy!" Joel shouted, scaring a passing freshman.
Brandston shook his head. "I don't even like her like that."
Joel made a face. "No duh. Everybody knows you got heart-eyes for Audrey."
Brandston froze for a split second.
Joel caught it, smirking.
"Don't deny it, lover boy."
Brandston shoved him playfully. "Shut up."
"Nah nah nah," Joel said, laughing. "This is serious now. You gotta fix this with Audrey. Before…"
He made dramatic explosion gestures with his hands.
"Before it's too late, bro."
Brandston looked up at the sky, thinking.
Fix it… but how?
He didn't know yet.
But he knew one thing:
He couldn't let Audrey think he was just another guy who'd fall for Vanessa's games.
He had to make it right.
Somehow.