Morning sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, casting stripes across the desks. Isis slid into her seat just as the bell rang, dropping her backpack with a soft thud. Jackie plopped down beside her, tapping her nails on the desk. “Soooo, how did last night go?”
Isis made herself a schedule and she streamed three times a week. Jackie wasn’t able to watch every stream, and Isis would never expect her to, but if she missed one, she aways asked about it the next day. Isis tried to put on a modest smile, but it was useless. “Really good, actually! Got a record number of subscribers for one session, and my first payout was better than I expected!”
Jackie beamed at her. “You’re a natural. People love you.” Isis felt a warm flutter in her chest at the compliment.
Jackie said “Speaking of which…” then brought her voice down so low Isis almost couldn’t hear her. “Riley Red had a very profitable week.” She flipped her hair dramatically and Isis laughed softly. “You are crazy.”
“Crazy rich,” Jackie corrected, smirking. “I’m telling you, babe, I’ll be out of that house before you know it.”
Isis’s smile faltered for half a second, but it was long enough for Jackie to notice. Jackie’s expression softened, but only briefly. “Hey,” Jackie said quietly, nudging her shoulder. “I told you don’t worry, remember?”
Isis nodded. She knew more was happening in that house than what Jackie told her. Carrying Jackie’s secret was weighing heavy on her and she felt absolutely helpless. Today though, Jackie looked genuinely happy. She was bright-eyed, energized, almost glowing. Isis wanted to hold onto that.
“Anyways,” Jackie continued “I’m proud of you for not letting anyone hold you back.” Isis felt a tiny pinch in her chest as Roman’s face flickered in her mind. With Jackie’s secrets and Roman’s cold shoulder, she felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells.
The teacher asked for everyone’s attention and class began.
After school, Isis and Roman walked leisurely toward his house, noticing the buzzing bees and enjoying the warm air. She was happy to be spending time with him. Between his feelings towards her streaming, and the fact they didn’t have any classes together this year, she felt an uncomfortable distance between them.
As if reading her thoughts, he draped an arm over her shoulders and said, “I’m glad you’re coming over.”
“Me too, homework is much easier with company.”
Inside, Roman’s house smelled like fresh laundry and something else she couldn’t put her finger on. It was how Roman always smelled, a light sweetness she loved. The house was quiet. Roman lived with his older sister and she was probably at work still.
They set their textbooks on the dining table. Isis sat down and Roman went to the kitchen, coming back a few seconds later with a bag of chips for them to share. He sat down and opened his Algebra book, groaning dramatically. “Okay, I’m officially dropping out.” he declared.
Isis laughed. “You’re literally the smartest person I know.”
“Then you must not know many people.” He said, nudging her knee under the table.
They worked through a few problems, trading jokes and teasing each other. Every so often, Roman would glance at her with that soft, warm look that made her stomach flutter.
When they finished their homework, they moved to the couch and he put on Isis’s favorite show. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he rested his cheek against her hair. For the first time in weeks, nothing felt tense. Nothing felt wrong.
She let herself sink into the moment, unaware of how quickly everything was about to fall apart.
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