Not My Type

''The Wrong Target''

They pushed open the gym doors—

And froze.

Sitting on the bleachers. Hood down. Headphones around his neck. Black hoodie. Dark jeans. Looking annoyingly good for no reason.

He looked up the moment they walked in.

His eyes landed on Charlotte.

Sweatpants. Maroon tank top. Messy ponytail. Soft. Real. Beautiful.

His jaw tightened.

Ryder muttered, "Oh great. He's here."

Lily whispered, "Be nice."

Charlotte didn't say anything.

She just walked past Tom like he was invisible.

Ryder and Lily followed her to the bleachers.

They sat down.

Charlotte pulled out her water bottle, pretending not to feel Tom's eyes on her.

But she felt it.

She felt it like heat on her skin.

He didn't speak. He didn't move. He didn't look away.

He just stared at Charlotte.

At her sweatpants. At her tank top. At her messy ponytail. At the way she laughed with Ryder. At the way she ignored him completely.

His jaw clenched harder.

He looked like he'd swallowed straight acid.

Savannah wasn't there yet.

Ethan wasn't there yet.

It was just them.

And the tension was suffocating.

The gym was loud with echoing footsteps and bouncing basketballs. Charlotte, Lily, and Ryder sat on the bleachers while the class warmed up.

Tom was already on the far side of the gym, hoodie off, working out like he was training for the Olympics.

Sweat on his forehead. Jaw clenched. Muscles tense. Eyes flicking over to Charlotte every few seconds.

Charlotte pretended not to notice.

Ryder leaned back on his hands, swinging his legs. Charlotte sipped her water.

"So," Ryder said casually, "me, Lily, and Tom made up yesterday."

Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, Lily told me."

Ryder smirked. "We didn't just make up."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean."

Ryder grinned wider. "We made out."

Charlotte choked on her water. "YOU WHAT."

Lily slapped Ryder's arm. "Ryder! Stop lying!"

Ryder laughed. "Okay, okay, fine. Only Lily and I made out."

Charlotte's jaw dropped. "WHAT."

Lily turned bright red. "Ryder, oh my god—"

Ryder shrugged. "What? She asked."

"I did NOT ask!" Charlotte yelled.

Lily covered her face. "We didn't make out! He's being stupid!"

Ryder winked. "Not yet."

"RYDER!" Lily smacked him again.

Charlotte stared at them, stunned. "You two are insane."

Ryder grinned proudly. "Thank you."