Chapter 25: Mission Failed
I tried to focus on the math teacher, but it was useless. My brain just kept replaying that one image over and over. Nina and Tyler on the roof.
’Why does that bother me so much?’ I thought, my pen just hovering over my notebook. ’It’s none of my business.’
But it felt like it was. It felt like she had told me one thing, and then I’d seen another. And that tight, sinking feeling in my chest just wouldn’t go away. It felt a lot like disappointment. And I hated it. I hated feeling this way over something that I shouldn’t even care about.
’You’re an idiot, Kofi,’ I told myself, finally managing to write down a number from the board. ’You wanted to be left alone, and now look at you.’
Just then, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I carefully slid it out, keeping it hidden under my desk. The screen lit up with her name. My heart skipped a beat.
I opened the message.
> Nina: are you serious right now?
I stared at the words, my stomach twisting. I knew exactly what she was talking about. Before I could even think of what to type back, another message came through.
> Nina: i wait for you. we walk to school. and then you just completely ignore me in front of the entire class like i don’t exist?
> Nina: what is wrong with you?
’She has every right to be pissed,’ I thought. I read her words again. I was a jerk. There was no other way to put it. I just sat there, my thumb hovering over the keyboard, trying to figure out what to say. ’Sorry’ felt too small.