Chapter Text
Jordan was sitting at their desk, scrolling aimlessly, pretending to read something.
A knock. The door creaked open. Marie stepped in.
“We need to talk.”
Jordan didn’t turn.
“About what?”
Marie crossed her arms.
“Are you gonna tell me what the hell is going on, or should I guess?”
“Oh, are we playing charades now?”
“I’m not playing anything. You are — playing ‘let’s pretend Marie doesn’t exist,’ apparently. And now I barely even see you.”
Jordan gave a humourless snort, eyes still on their screen.
“Yeah, well — that’s on you. You’re the one who decided to spend all your time with someone else. I figured I’d give you space.”
“Giving me space? It feels more like you’re shutting me out. We were together every day. I miss you. I miss studying with you. Hanging out. Just… everything. What the hell changed?”
“You changed, Marie.”
“I didn’t.”
“You did. And that’s fine. But don’t come in here like I owe you something.”
Marie stepped closer, her voice rising.
“Don’t fucking do that. Don’t play it cool and act like I’m the one who doesn’t care.”
That finally got Jordan’s attention. They turned, slow and cold.
“You were the one person I felt safe with,” Marie said, tears brimming in her eyes.
Jordan shrugged.
“You’ve got Noah for that now.”
Marie’s face shifted instantly. Her voice dropped, sharp and final.
“Fine.”
“Marie— wait, I didn’t…”
“I’m leaving. I’m the one who doesn’t want to be around you now.”
And Jordan didn’t move.
Their chest felt like it caved in.
——
The next day, the group was hanging out again — same spot, same time.
Marie sat on one end of the couch. Jordan sat on the other.
Noah was there too, of course. But Marie didn’t seem to notice him. Or care.
She also didn’t look at Jordan, not even once. And Jordan didn’t even glance her way. Conversations happened around them- but they were silent.
They avoided eye contact, avoided words — but the silence between them was so charged, it felt like everything else in the room had faded away. Like their entire focus was on keeping the other at the edge of their vision without ever turning to look.
Emma noticed. She looked between them a couple of times, but didn’t say anything.
Noah leaned over to whisper something to Marie, but she barely heard him. Jordan stood up without a word and left the room. Cate went after them.
———
Jordan didn’t stop walking until they were in their room.
“Jordan!” Cate’s voice came from behind the door.
They opened it. “Not in the mood to talk.”
“Too bad.”
Jordan exhaled sharply. “Cate, seriously—”
“What was that?” Cate asked, already sitting on their bed. Jordan followed.
They rolled their eyes. “Nothing.”
“Oh, come on.”
Jordan looked away, jaw tight. “I just didn’t want to be there.”
Silence.
“She came here yesterday,” they said finally, voice low. “Asked why I was missing. We had a fight.”
Cate straightened up. “And?”
“And I was an idiot.” They leaned forward, elbows on knees. “She said she missed me. That I was the only person she felt safe with. And I said… that she had Noah for that now.”
Cate’s eyes widened. “You actually said that?”
“Fuck! I know it’s bad, Cate. You don’t have to tell me. That’s why I was trying to keep some distance. I obviously didn’t want to throw my shit on her.”
“Kind of just did that.”
“Fuck.” Jordan ran a hand over their face. “The look on her face, Cate… I’ve never seen her look at me like that.”
“The hurt kind?”
“The ‘I’m leaving because you clearly don’t care’ kind. And then she did.”
Cate crossed her arms. “Okay. So what are you waiting for now? For her to come back even after you’ve been an asshole? Now it’s up to you to fix it.”
“How? What am I supposed to say?” Their voice dropped. “Hey Marie, I know we’ve been friends forever and you’re dating some nice guy now, but actually, I’ve been in love with you this whole time, and it’s killing me, and that’s why I’ve been an asshole to you. My bad.”
Cate didn’t flinch. “Yes. Actually. You can try that. But maybe improve the part where you say you’re sorry.”
Jordan let out a bitter laugh. “She doesn’t feel the same.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.” They looked down. “She wants him. Not me.”
Cate softened, stepped closer. “She looked miserable the entire time. Didn’t laugh once. Didn’t even look like she was there.”
Jordan didn’t answer.
“She came here. Said she missed you.” Cate paused. “You don’t have to do this right now. But think about it. Because she already took one step—maybe she’s waiting for you to take the next.”
———-
There was a knock at the door.
Marie looked up from her desk, confused. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and Emma was with Sam.
She opened it.
Jordan stood there, in their girl form, and just stormed in without a word.
Marie blinked. “Showing up like this after pretending I don’t exist?”
But Jordan could barely breathe.
“Hey. What’s going on? Are you alright?”
Jordan didn’t answer right away. Just looked at her for a moment.
“Can we talk?”
“I went to your room yesterday to do that. It didn’t go well.”
“I know. I’m sorry for that. Please, can I talk to you?”
“Fine. Talk.”
“I know you have a boyfriend now, and I respect that. But it doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
“How do you feel about me?”
“I—I-yeah. I’ve been—God, I’ve been wanting to tell you… but then I couldn’t. I didn’t want you to hate me. And now you’re with someone and I… I… fuck.”
“Jordan.”
She stepped closer.
“Breathe.”
They did. One shaky inhale. One steadier exhale.
“Okay,” they said, quieter now. “I’m in love with you.”
“You’re not.”
“I promise you I am.”
Marie looked at them, voice softer now.
“Then why didn’t you kiss me that night?”
Jordan looked down.
“I didn’t think you’d want to kiss a girl.”
“You could’ve asked. I did want you to kiss me that night — either as a girl or a boy.”
Marie swallowed. “But you said you were in love with someone.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You basically did. Then you almost kissed me. Then you wouldn’t tell me who it was. What was I supposed to think? I thought you got caught up in the moment but didn’t go through with it because there was someone else.”
“There wasn’t anybody else. Just you. But like I said, I know you have a boyfriend. I respect that. I just wanted to say I’m sorry, really sorry, for being an asshole with you. I was jealous and uncomfortable, but that doesn’t excuse the way you behave. I can still be your friend. Even if you have a boyfriend. I hope you can still feel safe with me.”
She just stared at them.
“Well, now that I’ve said what I had to say, I probably should just go.”
“Jordan. Wait.”
They stopped.
“I’m in love with you too.”
Jordan blinked. “What?”
“I’m in love with you too.”
“Then why—why are you with him?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m with him, like a boyfriend, as you said. But…”
She paused.
“The night we almost kissed, he had asked me out before that. He said he liked me. Said I was pretty. All that shit you never said. But I told him I liked someone else. And then… after that night, I thought you liked someone else. So I figured, why shouldn’t I try to move on with someone who actually wants me?”
“Marie, I’m someone who actually wants you.”
They stepped closer, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
“And you’re not just pretty. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Then they kissed her — finally — the kiss they both had waited for.
“You should’ve said that when I asked you who you liked,” Marie said, a smile tugging at her lips.
“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t. I was scared, okay?” They cupped her cheek. “Scared you wouldn’t want this version of me.”
“You thought I wouldn’t want you?” she asked softly. “I want all of you.”
Jordan looked at her then — really looked — and something cracked.
“I was so jealous,” they admitted. “Of him. I thought you liked him. And I hated it. I hated seeing him touch you. I wanted to be the one to touch you.”
Marie moved closer, her voice steady.
“Then do it.”
“What?”
“If you wanted to touch me,” she whispered, guiding their hand slowly, “touch me.”
Jordan followed the motion, eyes widening when they realized what she was doing.
“Holy fucking shit, Marie. You are…”
“Yeah. That’s how much I want you. That’s all for you.”
“Even with me like this?”
She pulled them closer, lips brushing against theirs.
“I just want you. However, you want to do this,” she murmured. “Go ahead, Jordan. I need to feel you.”
And then they did.
——————
The next day, they walked into the common room together, hand in hand.
Jordan sat on the couch first, then pulled Marie straight down into their lap — and didn’t seem to mind. Actually, she looked happy.
Emma was the first to notice. “Wait. What is this? Are you two—?”
Marie nodded, already smiling. “Yeah. We’re together.”
Andre raised his brows. “So does that mean we don’t have to pretend to care about Noah anymore?”
Marie laughed. “No. You’re free.”
Emma threw her arms up. “Finally.”
Cate grinned. “Took you long enough. Now, guys, I believe you owe me some money.”
Jordan narrowed their eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” Emma said, “we had a bet.”
Jordan blinked. “A what?”
“A bet on how long it would take for you two to finally kiss,” Cate explained, smug. “I won.”
“That’s bullshit,” Jordan said. “You’re the one who told me to go talk to her.”
“I did, because that’s what you needed to do, and I’m your friend. I love you,” Cate replied. “Winning the bet was just… a bonus.”
Marie laughed again.
“No! That’s cheating!” Emma protested.
“But worth it,” she added, smiling between them. “You two look… good together.”
Jordan glanced at Marie. “Yeah. We really do.”