Group Chat Explosion
Andrea knew something was wrong before she even opened her phone.
The notifications wouldn't stop.
One after another.
Instagram.
Class group chat.
Mentions.
Replies.
Her stomach dropped.
No…
She opened it.
Bad idea.
Messages flooded the screen.
"Bro did you see this?"
"This is crazy 💀"
"Paisley really doesn't waste time huh"
"First Neyman now Daňko???"
Andrea's fingers went cold.
Then she saw it.
A photo.
Blurry.
Taken from far away.
But clear enough.
Her.
And Samuel.
From last night.
At Šachta.
Standing close.
Too close.
Andrea's heart dropped into her stomach.
"Are you kidding me…" she whispered.
Teresa leaned over immediately.
"What happened?"
Andrea turned the phone toward her.
Teresa's eyes widened.
"Oh my god."
Diana grabbed the phone next.
"Who took this?!"
Andrea scrolled.
Comments.
Laughing emojis.
Speculation.
Rumors turning into "facts" in real time.
"She's playing both of them."
"Samuel's just her next target."
"Neyman got replaced fast."
Andrea locked her phone.
Her chest felt tight.
Too tight.
"I didn't even do anything," she muttered.
Teresa looked furious.
"This is messed up."
Diana nodded.
"They're twisting everything."
Andrea laughed bitterly.
"Of course they are."
Across the classroom—
Samuel had seen it too.
His phone was in his hand.
His expression unreadable.
Then he looked at Andrea.
Their eyes met.
This time—
There was no smirk.
No teasing.
Just tension.
The moment the bell rang, the classroom exploded with noise.
People talking.
Laughing.
Looking directly at Andrea now.
No hiding it.
Andrea stood up quickly and grabbed her bag.
She needed to get out.
Now.
But as she stepped into the hallway—
"Paisley."
She stopped.
Slowly turned around.
The same guy from before.
Smirking again.
"You move fast."
Andrea clenched her jaw.
"Shut up."
He laughed.
"Which one do you even like?"
That was it.
Andrea stepped forward.
"Say one more thing—"
"What?" he interrupted. "You'll cry?"
The hallway went quiet.
Andrea's chest burned.
Before she could react—
"Walk away."
Samuel.
He stepped between them.
The guy scoffed.
"Why? You jealous?"
Samuel didn't even hesitate.
"Just tired of hearing you talk."
The guy rolled his eyes.
"Whatever."
And walked off.
Samuel turned to Andrea.
"You good?"
Andrea laughed.
"Do I look good?"
Samuel didn't answer.
Andrea shook her head.
"I didn't even do anything."
Samuel nodded slowly.
"I know."
Andrea looked at him.
"You believe that?"
Samuel met her gaze.
"Yeah."
That hit differently.
Andrea swallowed.
"Why?"
Samuel shrugged slightly.
"Because I was there."
Andrea looked away quickly.
Her chest felt tight again.
But not in the same way as before.
Later that day.
The hallway near the stairs.
Andrea didn't expect him.
But he was there.
Matthew.
Waiting.
Andrea stopped walking.
"…What."
Matthew looked at her.
His expression was tense.
"Can we talk?"
Andrea laughed dryly.
"Again?"
Matthew stepped closer.
"I saw the photo."
Andrea crossed her arms.
"Congratulations."
Matthew frowned.
"Is it true?"
Andrea blinked.
"What?"
"You and Samuel."
Andrea stared at him.
"You don't get to ask that."
Matthew's jaw tightened.
"I'm just asking—"
"No," Andrea cut him off. "You're judging."
Matthew shook his head.
"I'm not."
"You are."
Matthew ran a hand through his hair.
"I just want to understand."
Andrea laughed bitterly.
"You didn't want to understand when I kissed you."
Matthew froze.
"That's different."
Andrea shook her head.
"No. It's not."
Matthew stepped closer.
"Andrea—"
"You said it didn't mean anything," she said. "So why do you care now?"
Matthew didn't answer immediately.
That was answer enough.
Andrea nodded slowly.
"Exactly."
Matthew's voice dropped.
"I didn't say I didn't care."
Andrea looked at him.
"Then what did you say?"
Matthew hesitated.
Andrea felt something inside her snap again.
"You can't even answer."
Matthew looked frustrated.
"I didn't want to ruin things."
Andrea laughed.
"You already did."
Silence.
Heavy.
Final.
Andrea stepped back.
"I'm done with this conversation."
She turned—
But Matthew grabbed her wrist.
"Wait."
Andrea froze.
Slowly looked down at his hand.
Then back at him.
"Don't."
Matthew let go immediately.
Andrea stepped back again.
More distance this time.
"You don't get to act like this now," she said quietly.
Matthew looked at her.
"I'm trying—"
"Too late."
Andrea turned and walked away.
This time—
She didn't stop.
At the end of the day—
Andrea stood outside the school gates.
Alone.
Her phone buzzed again.
More messages.
More rumors.
She didn't check.
She didn't care anymore.
Footsteps approached.
She didn't turn.
"Rough day?"
Samuel.
Andrea let out a small breath.
"You could say that."
Samuel stood beside her.
"People are idiots."
Andrea smiled faintly.
"That's becoming your catchphrase."
Samuel smirked.
"It fits."
Andrea looked at him.
For a moment—
Everything felt quieter.
Even with the chaos around them.
"You stayed," she said suddenly.
Samuel frowned.
"What?"
"Today," Andrea said. "You didn't disappear."
Samuel shrugged.
"Didn't feel like it."
Andrea nodded slowly.
Then she said something softer.
"Thanks."
Samuel looked at her.
Like that word surprised him.
Then he nodded once.
"Yeah."
They stood there for a moment.
Side by side.
Not touching.
But not distant either.
And for the first time—
Andrea didn't feel like she was being watched.
She felt like she was being understood.
Even if everything else around her was falling apart.