Betty’s POV
I hadn’t seen much of Brent since nationals and a strange distance had settled between us. Something had shifted and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. After hours of wrestling with the thought, I found myself wandering through campus hoping to find him.
My search led me to the library where he was hunched over a book in a quiet corner. I stood there for a second taking in the sight of him my heart pounding slightly. When he looked up, he seemed surprised a brief smile crossing his face.
“Betty,” he said, putting down his book. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
I forced a casual smile. “Figured I’d check in on you since I haven’t seen you in… what, ages?”
He chuckled leaning back in his chair. “Yeah, I guess I’ve been a bit of a ghost lately.”
“Or maybe I’m just easy to forget?” I teased, but I couldn’t hide the pang of hurt behind my words.
Brent’s expression softened, his eyes holding a hint of regret. “Never. I could never forget you, Betty.” He paused his fingers tapping on the table. “Things have been… complicated.”
“Complicated how? Brent, you know you can talk to me.”
He exhaled, looking away for a second before his gaze met mine again. “I’ve just been trying to figure out who I am—outside of us outside of everything I left behind. It’s not you. But it’s hard when everything’s changing so fast.”
My heart sank, but I managed a smile. “I get it. I just don’t want to lose you.”
He reached across the table taking my hand his fingers warm against mine. “You won’t. I promise.”