Caleb POV
The next day came faster than I expected. I got to the class early, as usual. Clara's seat in front of me was empty again. I found myself staring at it longer than I should. I told myself it was curiosity, but deep down, I knew it wasn't just that.
One of the guys from the football team approached Fabian.
"Hey, man," He said, shaking his hand. "How is your dare? She isn't in class today."
Fabian smirked, "I have no idea. She's one dare I can't break. I have tried every trick in the book."
The other guy laughed. "Bro, admit it. You've lost this one."
"I never lose," Fabian said, leaning back in his chair. "I just need time. She will break soon."
I froze for a second, pretending to focus on my notebook.
A dare?
I didn't know who they were talking about, but something about the way Fabian said it made my stomach twist. I hated people who toyed with emotions, especially someone else's.
The door opened.
Clara walked in. Her eyes were slightly swollen, like she hadn't slept well. She kept her head down and then moved quietly to her seat.
"There she is." The guy whispered to Fabian, snickering.
So, she was the dare that Fabian couldn't break. If only she knew, I thought
For a moment, she turned her head slightly, maybe by accident, and our eyes met. Just for a second. It was enough to make my heart skip. I quickly looked down at my book, pretending to read.
The teacher walked in, then started her lesson. The class grew quiet.
At some point, the teacher asked a question. Clara raised her hand and gave her answer, which sounded unsure.
I leaned forward slightly and whispered. "It's actually the second option. The first one is best suited for the earlier question."
She turned around, surprised. Then she nodded and smiled faintly.
"Thanks," she whispered
Her voice was soft, calm, and nothing like the rumors that followed her. Her words lingered in my head throughout the class.
By lunch, I sat with a few guys from the football team. They talked about training and joked about Fabian's obsession with showing off. I laughed where I needed to, but my mind was elsewhere.
Across the hall, Clara sat alone. She wore a black hoodie. She looked small, like she wanted to disappear. She concentrated on the food on her plate, but she wasn't really eating.
Fabian walked in a few minutes later, surrounded by noise and attention, like always. He held on to Trisha's hand as they walked towards my table.
She leaned in and kissed him.
"I'll be back, honey," she said loud enough for half of the hall to hear.
The hall was silent for a second. Then one of the boys asked, "Are you two dating now?"
Fabian looked around, smirked, and said, "Yeah, we are dating."
The hall broke into whispers. His words dropped like a bomb.
My eyes instantly moved to Clara. She froze as she stared at Fabian. She quietly pushed her tray away, then stood up. She just walked out of the hall with her head down.
Something inside me stirred. I didn't know what it was: anger, pity, or just care. But I found myself standing too. The other boys called out to me, but I didn't answer.
I followed her out of the hall, down the quiet hallway that led towards the back garden. She stood there, arms folded, as she stared at nothing.
Clara," I said quietly.
She turned, eyes red. "Hey, new guy, what are you doing here?" She said with her broken voice.
"Just getting to know the environment," I said as I stepped closer.
"Oh yeah? Then let me not disturb you. I'll just take my leave," she said as she tried to leave the garden.
I held her arm as she tried to walk past me. "Don't go," I said, "I would like to know you."
She sighed, "I'm sorry…" she said
"Caleb, Caleb Hale," I replied,
"Yeah, Caleb. I'm sorry, I am… in a relationship."
"With who?" I asked. "Fabian? That asshole?" The words slipped out sharper than I meant.
She stared at me with her eyes wide open.
"You shouldn't be crying over someone who doesn't deserve it," I said, brushing away a tear from her cheek before I realized what I was doing.
"You don't understand," she said softly. "He is just trying to protect me."
"Protect you?" I let out a dry laugh. "Is that what you call humiliating you in front of the whole school?"
She looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "He loves me. He's just… scared of people finding out."
I stepped closer. "Do you really believe that?" She didn't answer; her silence said enough.
"If you really want him," I said. "I can make him come to you."
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"If he wants to play games," I said, my tone calm but deliberate, "Then maybe you should too. You don't always have to let him win."
She blinked, confused. "How do I even do that?"
"Make him jealous, make him see what he is about to lose."
Her lips parted slightly if she hadn't thought of that. "I don't think I can do that."
"You can, Clara," I replied
She gave a small, shaky laugh. "You are serious?"
"Dead serious," I said with a straight face. "If he wants to show off, let's give him something to look at."
For the first time, I saw her laugh. "I don't know, Caleb."
"I can help you," I said, meeting her eyes.
"Why would you want to help me? What is in it for you?"
I thought for a bit. I had no reason to help her. I just wanted to be close to her and help her understand that she deserves better.
I hesitated, then he shrugged. "Maybe I just hate seeing people cry for the wrong person."
She took a deep breath, then stared at me. "Thank you, Caleb, I appreciate the effort, but I can't."
She said as she turned to leave the garden.