Cracking Her Code

Chapter 53

Nyk's POV

It had been a few weeks since the breakup and the last message. Two weeks since Simone's words landed on my screen, raw and broken, I can't ask you to wait. I know that. 

I hadn't replied. I couldn't. At some point, I had to draw a line. The back and forth wasn't healthy, just circling the same argument in different words. She'd made her decision, and I had to respect it, even if it split me open. 

I hadn't seen her on campus either, not that I would've tried. I learned fast which hallways she would walk frequently, which classrooms she was in, and I created alternate routes. It was pathetic, maybe, but necessary. One glance at her would unravel me all over again. 

Today was a good day; I wasn't thinking about her. 

Cyrene's hand was warm in mine as we walked down the hall together, her easy chatter filling the space between us. She'd been a kind of balm these past few weeks, nothing heavy, no expectations—just fun. We laughed a lot, and when things got quiet, it didn't feel uncomfortable at all. We weren't rushing into anything; both of us were clear on that, no labels. 

As we were continuing down the hall, I saw Simone round the corner. Walking towards us, professional as always, her heels sharp against the floor.  She didn't look at me. Eyes straight ahead, jaw firm, not even a blink in my direction. 

I swallowed, forcing a smile for Cyrene as if nothing had happened. But inside, it felt like something had splintered all over again. 

                                                                                  -----------

Simone's POV

The meeting finally wound down, two other faculty members gathering their notes, the head of department making a few last comments about upcoming curriculum revisions. I nodded where I needed to, even managed a polite smile, but the second it was adjourned, I was out of my seat. 

The air in the hallway felt cooler, easier to breathe, until I rounded the corner. And I was walking directly toward Nyk.

Her hand was laced with that same girl I've seen her with. They were walking close, shoulders brushing, easy in a way that twisted something deep in my chest. 

I didn't let myself flinch. Didn't slow. Didn't look at her. 

I just walked straight past, like she was any other student I'd pass on campus.  My stride tightened, pace picking up. By the time I reached my office, I shut the door behind me harder than I intended, the sound echoing in the empty room. 

I slumped down into my chair, letting out a breath I didn't even realize I'd been holding. My pulse was still too quick. 

Two weeks. Two weeks since I'd last seen her, since I'd reached out and cracked myself open in a message I never should've sent. Since she hadn't replied. 

Maybe I needed to go out on Friday. I hadn't been out since the night with Luana, when I left the bar with her and thought maybe I could burn this feeling out of me. I hadn't even seen her since. 

I'd been avoiding everything: the music, the bars, the noise, the distraction. Staying home like I could out-stubborn my own heart. But all it was doing was leaving me alone with it. 

I sat for a moment longer in the silence of my office, staring at the clutter of papers on my desk like they might offer some kind of distraction. They didn't. Finally, I exhaled, started shoving things into my bag with more force than necessary. Enough for one day.

As I was snapping the clasp shut, my phone buzzed against the desk. I swiped my screen to open the message. 

Tasha: Dinner at my place tonight. Come over. Jen's here too, if that's okay?

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the screen. For a second, I thought about saying no, about making some excuse and just going home to sink into my couch with a glass of wine and the kind of silence that had been eating me alive. But then my thumbs moved on their own. 

Me: Yeah, I'll be over in thirty. Honestly, I wasn't planning on cooking anyway. 

A second later, I added: 

Me: I'll bring wine. 

I slipped the phone into my bag, pushed my chair, and stood.  The company was exactly what I needed tonight.