Monday morning came quietly, like nothing had happened.
Clarissa stood by her locker, twisting the strap of her bag around her fingers while Alex leaned against the metal beside her. Students passed them in waves, laughter and noise filling the hallway, but Clarissa barely noticed any of it.
"I can't help but worry, Alex," she said softly. "She hasn't been in school since Wednesday."
Alex sighed, reaching for her hand. "Baby, I'm sure she's fine. You know how she is. She doesn't really share. Sadist, if you know what I mean." He gave a small shrug. "And besides, her brother ODed. You can't expect someone to just bounce back after that."
"I know," Clarissa said, her voice tight. "But still…"
The school bell rang, sharp and final.
"I've got to get to class," she said quickly.
Alex leaned in, brushing a kiss against her lips. "We'll talk later, yeah?"
She nodded, already walking away.
Chemistry felt longer than usual.
Clarissa slid into her seat and glanced to the empty chair beside her. Isabel was supposed to be her partner. She waited longer than she should have, eyes drifting to the door every few seconds.
Nothing.
She raised her hand. "Excuse me," she said. "I don't have a partner."
The teacher barely looked up. "You can pair with Moses and Jeremy."
Clarissa forced a nod and gathered her things, trying not to feel the disappointment settle in her chest. The class dragged on, formulas blurring together. For the first time, she did not answer a single question.
When the bell finally rang, Clarissa met Benji outside, relief washing over her at the sight of him.
They walked out together, the late morning sun warm against their faces.
"Okay," Benji said suddenly, stopping short. "Do not look now."
Clarissa looked anyway. "You literally just told me to."
"Shh," he whispered dramatically. "Drive through. Red hoodie. That is my wife."
Clarissa squinted. "Benji, that girl has been your wife since the third grade."
"And she will continue to be until she blocks me," he said seriously. "Look at her. Tell me she's not fine."
"She's buying fries," Clarissa said.
"Exactly," he replied. "A woman with priorities."
"You haven't even talked to her," Clarissa said.
"I smiled once," Benji defended. "She blinked. That's basically mutual interest."
Clarissa shook her head, laughing despite herself.
They climbed into Benji's car, the doors shutting with a dull thud. He started the engine, then glanced at Clarissa instead of pulling out.
"So," he said slowly, "I know you've been a little in over your head about Isa."
Clarissa froze. "I'm not."
Benji gave her a look. "You absolutely are."
He sighed, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. "So… I kinda got her house address from her dad."
Clarissa's head snapped toward him. "You did what?"
"I lied," he said quickly. "Said I needed it to drop off assignments. Very academic. Very responsible."
"That is actually insane," Clarissa said.
"Debatable," Benji replied. "Anyway, we could drop by now or… if you want to pretend you don't care, I can drive you home and let you spiral alone."
Clarissa crossed her arms, staring straight ahead like the windshield had personally offended her.
"I mean," she said casually, way too casually, "it wouldn't hurt to check in."
Benji raised an eyebrow.
"Just to show concern," she added quickly. "Like a decent human being. Not… whatever you're implying."
"Right," Benji said. "Purely humanitarian."
She shot him a look. "Don't make it weird."
"I didn't," he smiled. "You did."
Clarissa sighed. "Just drive, Benji."
And he did.
They got to Isabel's house after a while, Benji still parked at the curb, engine humming softly.
"So," he said, glancing at her, "you want me to come with you or…?"
Clarissa didn't hesitate. "Yes. Please. I don't want it to be awkward with just me."
Benji smirked. "Awkward how?"
"And besides," she added quickly, "she likes you."
Benji sat up straighter. "Everyone likes me. They don't call me Benji-ball Snoggleballs for nothing."
Clarissa made a face. "Ew. No one calls you that."
"Give it time."
"Benji," she said, already opening her door, "stop playing around. I have bio assignments."
"Yeah, yeah, princess," he replied, hopping out and slamming the door shut.
They rang the doorbell.
No answer.
Benji pressed it again. A moment passed, then the door swung open.
A boy stood there, younger, sleepy-eyed, clearly unimpressed by the world. "Yeah?"
"Hey," Clarissa said gently. "Is your sister in? We're, um… her schoolmates. We wanted to drop off some assignments."
The boy looked between them, then shrugged and turned his head toward the hallway.
"Isaaaaa!" he yelled. "Door's for you!"
He stepped aside, leaving the door wide open.
Should we go in?" Benji whispered. "I mean… the door is open."
"Of course not," Clarissa said immediately, grabbing his arm and pulling him back like he'd suggested robbing the place.
Before Benji could protest, footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Isabel appeared.
She looked pale, like sleep had forgotten her address. Her hair was pulled into a rough, careless bun, strands falling around her face. Oversized hoodie. Bare feet.
She glanced at her brother first. "Hey, douche. You left the door wide open."
Jordan shrugged, unapologetic. "Relax. If we get robbed, that's on you."
Isabel rolled her eyes and walked closer.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey, Isa," Benji replied easily. "You look… exhausted. How've you been?"
"Holding up," she said, voice flat but honest.
Clarissa didn't say anything.
She just stood there, staring. Like she was trying to memorize Isabel's face or confirm she was real.
Isabel noticed.
Her brows pulled together slightly. She looked at Clarissa for a second longer than necessary, confused by the silence, then shifted her attention back to Benji.
"So," Isabel said, "why are you here again?"
"Oh, right. Assignments," Benji said quickly. "And also, you know, to check up on you."
He nudged Clarissa with his shoulder. "And Clary here is, uh, severely dehydrated, so if you don't mind us coming in for a bit…"
Clarissa shot him a look but didn't argue.
Isabel hesitated for half a second.
Then she stepped aside. "Yeah. Sure. Come in."
They walked inside. Isabel gestured toward the couch.
"Sit. I'll get water," she said, already heading to the kitchen.
The moment she was out of earshot, Benji poked Clarissa's shoulder lightly. "Okay. I've hit the play button. You can talk now."
Clarissa shot him a look. "I froze, okay. I don't… do this. Showing empathy without sounding fake is weird."
"You're literally the nicest person I know," Benji whispered. "You just overthink."
"Because this is serious," she muttered. "I can't mess it up."
Benji softened. "You're not. You showed up. That counts."
Isabel returned with two mugs. Clarissa took one immediately, wrapping both hands around it and taking a few big sips like she needed the grounding.
"Your place is nice," Clarissa said, lowering the mug.
"Yeah. Thanks," Isabel replied, settling into the chair across from them.
Clarissa hesitated. "How's your brother?"
Isabel didn't flinch. "Not dead, thankfully."
Benji winced. "Dark. Okay. So is he in a program now?"
"Yeah," Isabel said. "Left over the weekend." She paused, then added, quieter, "Could we maybe not talk about this?"
"Of course," Clarissa said quickly. "Sorry."
A beat passed.
"So," Clarissa tried again, "when are you coming back to class? I was just starting to enjoy the… friendly competitive vibes we had going."
Isabel's lips twitched. "Soon. I think. I'm not great at staying away from school for long."
Benji nodded. "Knew it. Nerd behavior."
Isabel rolled her eyes, but there was less weight behind it.
They sat in a comfortable quiet for a moment.
Then Benji stood, clapping his hands once. "Alright. We should go before I say something else stupid."
Clarissa stood too. "Yeah. But… we're glad you're okay. As okay as possible."
Isabel met her eyes. "Thanks. Really."
Outside, once the door closed behind them, Benji leaned in. "See? You didn't mess it up."
Clarissa exhaled. "I know. I just… hope she's actually okay."
Benji glanced back at the house. "Me too."
They walked off, quieter than they'd arrived.
Clarissa got home just as the sun dipped lower, the house quieter than usual.
"Hey baby, you're home late," her mom said from the kitchen.
"Yeah. Had to drop assignments off to a friend," Clarissa replied, slipping off her shoes.
"Where's dad?" Clarissa asked scanning the room
"He'll be back late tonight," her mom said, turning the stove down. "One of his clients has him tied up again."
Clarissa frowned. "Again."
Her mom sighed softly. "You know how it is."
"Yeah," Clarissa muttered.
"Go get changed and come down for dinner."
"I think I'll pass," Clarissa said gently. "I've got assignments and I'm really tired."
"Of course, baby."
Clarissa leaned in, kissed her mom's cheek, then headed upstairs.
Her room felt too quiet. She dropped her bag, sat on the edge of her bed, and stared at the wall longer than she meant to. Isabel's pale face flashed in her mind. The way she barely spoke. The way the house felt heavy.
A soft knock against glass broke her thoughts.
Clarissa froze.
Another knock.
She crossed the room quickly and pulled the curtain aside. Alex stood outside, grinning up at her.
She slid the window open just enough. "What are you doing here?" she whispered. "What if my dad catches you out there?"
"He's not home yet, right?" Alex whispered back.
"Still," she hissed. "Get in before someone sees you."
She helped him climb through the window, heart pounding until his feet hit the floor.
Alex straightened, immediately pulling her into a hug. "I really missed you," he said quietly. "Feels like I barely see you anymore."
Clarissa rested her forehead against his chest. "Classes, assignments. You've got football. We're both busy."
"That doesn't mean I like it," he said, brushing his thumb along her jaw. "I miss this. I miss you."
She looked up at him, searching his face. "I miss you too."
He leaned down and kissed her, slow at first, familiar and warm. Clarissa kissed him back automatically, muscle memory taking over, her hands finding his shirt and holding there like it was something steady.
The kiss deepened, not rushed, not desperate, just heavy. The kind that came from history. From knowing exactly how the other person moved. His hand rested at her waist, grounding, pulling her closer until there was no space left to think.
Clarissa let herself melt into it, eyes closing, breath shallow. It felt easy. Predictable. Safe.
And somehow, that was the problem.
Her back brushed the wall as he leaned in more, the kiss lingering a second longer than it should have. Her mind drifted, just for a moment, somewhere else entirely, and that was when the sound downstairs snapped everything back into place.
She pulled away first.
Then footsteps echoed downstairs.
Clarissa stiffened.
"Oh shit," she whispered, pulling back. "My dad's home. You have to go. He'll probably come up here."
Alex groaned softly. "Seriously? I don't want to."
"I don't want you to either," she said, already pushing him toward the window. "Unless you want us both dead by morning."
He laughed quietly, brushing a quick kiss to her lips. "Worth the risk."
"Out," she whispered, smiling despite herself.
He climbed back through the window, hanging there for a second. "We'll make time," he said. "I promise."
Clarissa nodded. "Yeah. We will."
She watched him disappear into the night, then closed the window, leaning her forehead against the glass.
Her heart was still racing.
And for reasons she diydn't want to name yet, it wasn't only because of Alex.