Which meant I’d already been looking without realizing.
He was standing slightly apart from the group, headphones in, bag slung over one shoulder.
Not talking.
Not laughing.
Just… present.
Like he didn’t need to prove anything by interacting.
That should’ve meant nothing.
It didn’t.
Mason
She stepped out of the terminal like she didn’t belong in the noise around her.
I saw her before I meant to.
That was happening too often now.
Caleb was beside her again.
Same pattern.
Same distance.
Same ease.
Jace leaned into my side slightly.
“You’re doing it again,” he muttered.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re watching her like she’s part of the scouting report.”
I didn’t respond.
Because she looked up.
And for a second, we saw each other clearly.
No movement.
No interruption.
Just distance that didn’t feel like distance anymore.
Then she looked away first.
That was new.
That stuck.
Rowan
