Page 83 of I Don't Need Your Romance

Why is she being so stubborn to try again? No. Not my business.

She doesn’t talk about books or movies or other random things like she usually does at our lesson. She goes straight to math.

As she talks, I can tell she’s still thinking about Axel because she loses her train of thought a few times. I feel bad that she’s going through this. It’s my fault because I insisted that real-life romance is better than book romance, and she accepted my challenge. I shouldn’t have butted into her life. If she wants the book romance, who am I to tell her otherwise? I wish I could go back in time and stop myself from even suggesting this challenge.

The truth is, shewillfind real romance one day. And she doesn’t need me to challenge her to find it.

Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat. “I’m sorry I put you through all of that.”

She stops talking and looks at me. “What?”

“The challenge. I’m sorry I suggested it.”

She’s quiet for a bit. “It’s fine. No harm.”

Of course there’s harm. She’s the only one who’s hurt by this. I bet Axel is off salivating over another rich girl.

She resumes the lesson, but I interrupt her again. “Wish I could make it up to you.”

Her mouth shuts. “It’s not only your fault. I accepted the challenge.”

“True, but I shouldn’t have butted in. You love your books and that’s fine. I had no right to convince you to try the real thing.”

She waves her hand. “I told you it’s okay. We should focus on the lesson.”

I bend close. “But you’re not okay, Sophie,” I say softly. “You’re just pretending you are.”

She keeps her gaze on her textbook. “Reading all weekend made me feel good. Happy. I was with the guys who can’t hurt me. But then when I went to bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I feel so stupid for liking him.”

“You’re not stupid.”

“I was obsessed with him. I thought he was the guy of my dreams. I was like some silly girl who crushed so hard on the guy who gave her some attention.” She bangs her head on the table. “I don’t want to ever be so stupid again.”

“I told you that you’re not stupid.”

“Just because you’re saying I’m not doesn’t mean I’m not,” her muffled voice says.

Placing my hand on hers, I say, “He doesn’t deserve to have you feeling this way. You should hold your head up high and be happy that jerk is out of your life.”

A spark zaps down my back, causing me to quickly remove my hand from hers.

She slowly lifts her head. “I just feel foolish.”

“Don’t let him make you feel that way. One day you’ll meet someone amazing.”

“Nope. That ship has sailed.”

My eyebrows knit. “So if let’s say next week a cute guy walks over to you in the library and asks you out, you’ll say no?”

“Yep.”

I shake my head, giving up. “Okay.”

We get back to the lesson. She’s determined to cover the material without talking about other topics. No joking around about me being a non bad boy. Her eyes are still troubled, like she’s still disappointed in herself. Doesn’t she realize how great she is? I don’t like seeing her like this and wish I could help somehow.

I rub my pencil against my lips. “Do you want to do something after the lesson? Maybe go catch a movie?”

“A movie? But we have lots of homework.”