Chapter Five
Lines and Crossings
Tuesday started with a soft drizzle and a missed alarm.
Adera jolted awake to the sound of Kiara's voice coming through the thin wall between their rooms.
"You have exactly fifteen minutes to get out of that bed or I'm pouring cold water on you," Kiara announced.
"Five more minutes," Adera groaned, wrapping her blanket tighter.
"I warned you," Kiara said, flinging Adera's door open.
She stood there, toothbrush in one hand, phone in the other. "You said you wanted to look alive in class today. Right now, you look like a retired sloth."
Adera sat up and squinted at her. "You're unusually energetic for someone who binge-watched a drama until 2 a.m."
"I'm powered by vibes and lip gloss."
Adera laughed, dragging herself out of bed. "And you mocked me for setting a backup alarm."
"You slept through both," Kiara pointed out. "Just saying."
Downstairs, the family was already halfway through breakfast. Josh was spreading peanut butter with the intensity of someone defending a thesis. Demitra stood at the stove flipping pancakes while Karen scrolled through his tablet with a mug of coffee in hand.
"Look who finally emerged from the abyss," Josh said. "Should we alert the press?"
Adera ignored him and kissed her mom's cheek. "Smells amazing."
"Fluffy pancakes for my hardworking ladies," Demitra said. "Sit. Eat. You'll need fuel."
Karen looked up. "Good morning, miracle child."
Adera flopped into her seat and gave him a mock glare. "Don't start."
Kiara breezed in behind her, ponytail swaying. "She almost didn't make it."
Josh raised an eyebrow. "You guys should livestream your mornings. I'd subscribe."
"Only if you edit out your chewing," Adera replied, grabbing a pancake.
The banter bounced around the table like a familiar rhythm—comfortable, funny, warm. As Adera chewed, she found herself quietly grateful for it. It grounded her.
When she finally grabbed her bag, her family's voices followed her out the door.
"Try not to zone out in class again!" Josh called.
"Don't forget your tea!" Demitra added.
"And smile more," Karen said. "The world can use it."
Kiara smirked. "And maybe fix that eyeliner on your left eye. It's giving abstract art."
Adera rolled her eyes but smiled. "Love you all. Even you, Josh."
"Aw, she admits it," he said. "Growth."
---
At school, everything felt… sharper.
She wasn't sure if it was because of the weather or because of *the text*—capital T. She'd reread it three times this morning, then thrown her phone into her bag like it had personally insulted her GPA.
Jace hadn't sent anything else. Not even a "good morning."
Which, fine. Good. She didn't care.
Probably.
Chloe was waiting near the cafeteria with a fresh smoothie and a suspiciously knowing look on her face.
"What?" Adera asked.
"You look…" Chloe tilted her head. "Like someone who's trying really hard not to look like she's thinking about a boy."
"I am thinking about academics," Adera said stiffly.
Chloe snorted. "Girl, please."
*******
The board outside Professor Maduka's class now displayed the dreaded group sign-up list. There was already a name scribbled in sloppy all-caps at the top: **JACE MORGAN**.
Tanya elbowed Adera playfully as they walked in. "So? What are *you* doing?"
"Not signing below him," Adera muttered. "Obviously."
Liam appeared beside her. "Want to pair up?"
Adera blinked at him. He looked… kind of nervous. Which was weird. Liam was never nervous.
Before she could answer, Jace walked in. His hair was damp from the rain, and he looked annoyingly casual about it. He didn't even glance at the board.
Or at her.
But something about his presence still made her spine straighten.
Adera turned to Liam. "Yeah. Let's do it."
Liam's face lit up.
Tanya raised both brows and exchanged a wide-eyed look with Chloe behind Adera's back.
---
Later that day, Chloe dragged her to Smoothie Wave again.
"I think Nathan remembers me now," Chloe whispered, watching him from behind a display of protein bars.
"You mean because you've been here five times this week?" Adera deadpanned.
"Details," Chloe said.
They settled at their usual table with matching mango-strawberry blends. Chloe was vibrating with nerves, occasionally glancing up from her straw.
"Okay," Adera finally said. "You either go talk to him today or I do it for you."
Chloe blanched. "You wouldn't."
Adera raised a brow.
"Fine. I'll say something. But if I pass out, you're legally required to drag me outside by the ankles."
Adera laughed. "Deal."
They sat there a while longer, laughing about everything and nothing. Chloe eventually did go up to Nathan—just to ask for a napkin, but still, it was progress.
"Baby steps," Chloe said proudly when she returned.
"Next time you'll ask for a straw," Adera teased.
"Next time I'll ask for his birth certificate."
---
NIGHT TIME
Adera sat on her bed, homework spread out around her, but her eyes were on her phone again. Still nothing from Jace.
She told herself she didn't care.
Then she got a message.
**Unknown number:** *"Hey. I didn't want to interrupt your day, but… is it okay if I text you?"*
She stared at the screen. She hadn't saved his number yet, but she knew it was Jace.
Adera's fingers hovered before she replied: **"Why?"**
**Jace:** *"Oh nothing. We're kind of friends, aren't we?"*
She blinked. Then smirked.
**Adera:** *"Is that what this is? Friendship?"*
**Jace:** *"Friendly enemies? Enemies who share sarcasm and lecture notes?"*
**Adera:** *"Sounds dysfunctional."*
**Jace:** *"All the best friendships are."*
She paused. Her heart, annoyingly, did a small flip.
**Adera:** *"This is still a bad idea."*
**Jace:** *"But bad ideas make great stories."*
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she saved the number.
Then, slowly, typed: **"Fine. But don't overthink it."**
**Jace:** *"Wouldn't dream of it."*
And somehow, that short exchange was more distracting than anything else that day.
***"""""
The next day came quickly. Her classes blurred together until finally, it was time to meet Liam in the library. She spotted him already seated at a table in the back, a stack of notes beside him, and—because Liam was always extra—a color-coded binder.
"Wow," she said, sliding into the chair beside him. "Did you rob a stationery store?"
"I came prepared," he said with a smile.
They actually got a lot done—mapping out a rough outline, tossing ideas back and forth. Adera had to admit it was… easy. Natural.
After about an hour, Liam leaned back and said, "You're really smart, you know."
She looked at him, surprised. "Uh… thanks?"
"I mean it," he added. "And I'm really glad we're doing this together."
She smiled awkwardly. "Yeah. Me too."
When she got home that evening, Kiara was on the couch watching a romantic drama, and Josh was yelling at his game upstairs.
"Your crush texted you again?" Kiara asked casually.
"Which one?" Adera muttered, dropping her bag.
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
Adera flopped down beside her. "I'm tired."
Kiara paused the show. "Tired or confused?"
Adera said nothing.
Kiara smirked. "Thought so."
Adera sighed and pulled out her phone.
Two new messages.
**Liam:** *"Thanks again for today. You're awesome."*
She didn't reply.
Instead, she set her phone down, curled up beside Kiara, and let herself get lost in the comforting background noise of the drama.
After a few minutes of silence, Kiara glanced sideways. "You know your first semester is almost over, right?"
Adera sighed. "Don't remind me. I feel like it just started, and now we're already talking about finals."
Kiara chuckled. "It goes fast. Just wait till you're in your last year. Blink, and boom—life decisions."
"Yikes," Adera muttered.
"But honestly," Kiara added, "you're doing great. You've adjusted well, made friends, and somehow managed to keep your grades up despite your chaotic sleep schedule…"
Adera laughed. "Hey!"
Kiara grinned. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks" Adera said softly, resting her head on her sister's shoulder.