Page 104 of I Don't Need Your Romance

Sophie

While my friends and I are binging a teen romance show in Carly and Addie’s room on Saturday afternoon, my phone beeps with a text.

Damian: What are you doing? I’m bored.

My mind immediately conjures up the memories of his mother’s party. How much fun we had, and of course the dance we shared. I stayed up all night thinking about it.

Sophie: I’m watching a TV show with my friends.

Damian: Nice. Is it any good?

Sophie: It’s a teen romance, so I doubt you’d find it interesting.

Damian: Hmm…you’re probably right.

Sophie: Unless you remove that stubborn part of yourself and give it a shot. You might be surprised.

Damian: Hmm…

Damian: …

Damian: Nope.

I scoff and roll my eyes.

“Mhmm,” Carly says.

When I lift my eyes from my phone, I realize that all of them, including Ryder and Caleb, are watching me. The TV show is paused.

“Oh, sorry,” I say as I lower my phone on Carly’s bed. “Did you guys pause the show because of me?”

“It was hard not to watch you eagerly texting your boyfriend,” Addie says.

I give her a look. “He’s not my boyfriend, Addie! Neither of us is looking for a relationship. That’s why just being friends is perfect for us.”

She frowns as she folds her arms over her chest.

“Anyway, are we continuing the show?”

“Are you sure you want to?” Raven asks. “Because from what it looks like, you’d prefer to text Damian.”

“Of course I want to watch the show with you guys,” I insist.

“But?” Carly prods.

“No buts. Damian just texted me that he’s bored. I would offer him to hang out with us here, but I’m not sure if he’d like that. Plus, he’s not a fan of a teen romance show.”

“So do something else with him,” Addie says.

My brows rise. “You want me to ditch you guys?”

“It’s not exactly ditching,” Carly muses. “We’ve been binging this show for hours, and that’s not healthy. We all should probably go out and get some fresh air or something.”

Raven stretches her arms over her head. “Yeah, my muscles are too stiff.”

“Okay,” I say as everyone starts to get up from the beds. “Where are you guys going?”

Carly and Ryder tell me they’re going out for ice cream, Caleb and Addie plan to stop by her grandfather’s place, and Raven says she wants to take a walk around campus for inspiration.