Between Us

☆ part thirty seven ☆

After school, the cool breeze rustled through the park as Lark and I strolled along the path, Bob tugging eagerly at his leash. The golden light of the setting sun cast a warm glow over everything, and for a brief moment, it felt like nothing could ruin this quiet slice of perfection. Lark walked close beside me, her hand brushing against mine occasionally, a casual touch that sent small sparks up my arm every time. "So," I started, glancing up at her, "Kitty's party this weekend... I was thinking of wearing that blue dress. You know, the one with the floral pattern and the cut-out back?"

Lark smirked down at me, the corners of her mouth curling up in that lopsided grin that always made my heart stutter. "The one that is my absolute favourite?"

I laughed softly, nudging her side with my elbow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She shrugged, her grin widening. "It means you're going to look stunning"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, but before I could respond, a familiar figure appeared on the path ahead. Even from a distance, I recognized her golden-blonde hair and graceful stride. Chloe. Of course. My stomach twisted, and I couldn't suppress the low groan that escaped me. As if on cue, Chloe noticed us and broke into a bright smile, raising a hand to wave. "Lark! Sophie!" she called out, her voice cheerful and overly familiar. She started heading toward us, her golden retriever bouncing excitedly beside her.

I muttered under my breath, "Why can't we get a moment alone together?"

Lark glanced at me, her expression softening. "I know," she said quietly, her voice carrying an edge of apology. She leaned closer, just enough for me to feel the warmth of her arm brushing against mine. "I'm sorry, baby." The use of baby sent a shiver through me, momentarily distracting me from my irritation. But it didn't last. Chloe was already closing the distance between us, her smile as radiant as ever.

Her dog reached us first, practically bounding into Lark's arms with an excited bark. Lark crouched down, scratching behind the retriever's ears with a grin. "Hey there," she murmured, her voice soft and warm in a way that made me simultaneously melt and seethe with jealousy.

Chloe laughed, the sound light and melodic. "She must've missed you these past few months," she said, watching Lark with a fondness that made my stomach twist even tighter. Then, as if she couldn't help herself, she turned to Lark with a slightly tilted head and added, "She's not the only one who missed you."

I gripped Bob's leash tighter, my knuckles whitening. The tension coiled in my chest, sharp and unbearable, as I fought to keep my expression neutral. Lark, to her credit, didn't linger on Chloe's words. She straightened up and glanced at me, her eyes catching mine in a silent question. Without missing a beat, she said, "I've got to get going, Chloe. Me and Sophie need to finish Bob's walk." Chloe grabbed Lark's wrist, I felt my stomach churn. Her grip looked desperate, her knuckles pale against Lark's tanned skin. I could see the slight tension in Lark's posture, like she was trying to figure out the best way to extricate herself without making the situation worse.

"Have I done something to you, Lark?" Chloe's voice was soft, but there was a crack of vulnerability in it that made her words hit harder. She looked between us, her big brown eyes wide and questioning, as though she couldn't understand how the world had shifted so drastically in the last few months.

Lark sighed, her free hand brushing through her dark hair as if that could somehow ground her. "No, Chloe," she said gently, but her tone carried that same careful distance she'd been keeping around Chloe since she came back. "You haven't done anything wrong."

Chloe's brows furrowed, and she tilted her head, clearly not convinced. "Then why are you acting like this? Like I don't exist?" She laughed, but it was dry and humorless, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You ended things, fine, but you didn't even give me a reason. Now, when I'm trying to be your friend, you just... shut me out."