The Boy Uniform

4: The Art of Not Being Noticed... Not

The next morning had come too fast, and now, as Eva—or rather, Eli—lay in her narrow dorm bed, staring at the ceiling, she felt the weight of what she was doing press down harder than ever. The muffled sounds of boys waking up filled the hall, the clatter of lockers, laughter, and half-awake grumbles bleeding through the walls. She knew if she stayed too long in her thoughts, the fear would swallow her whole.

She wasn't supposed to be here. Not like this. Not pretending.

Landon was already up, rifling through his drawers, humming a tune that Eva couldn't place. His carefree attitude stood in stark contrast to the storm inside her. Everything about Landon was relaxed, easygoing, like nothing could faze him. Meanwhile, Eva had to remind herself to walk like a guy, talk like a guy, be a guy.

"You coming, Eli?" Landon asked as he pulled a shirt over his head. "If we don't hit the cafeteria soon, the only thing left will be rubbery eggs and whatever they call that mystery meat."

Eva sat up, rubbing her face, trying to wipe away the anxiety clinging to her like fog. "Yeah, I'm coming." She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, reminding herself to walk a little heavier, looser, like a guy who didn't have a care in the world. She had to keep her movements casual, her posture relaxed, even though her heart pounded in her chest.

By the time they reached the cafeteria, the noise was already deafening. Boys crowded around tables, jostling for food, balancing trays piled with cereal, scrambled eggs, toast, and whatever they could grab. The smell of syrup and coffee clung to the air. Eva kept her head down, sticking close to Landon as they weaved through the chaos, hoping to blend in with the sea of students.

"So, what's your deal?" Landon asked once they found a spot in the back corner of the room. He shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth, speaking through the mouthful. "You don't seem like the other new guys who show up here."

Eva tensed, her fork frozen halfway to her mouth. "What do you mean?"

Landon shrugged, washing down his food with a gulp of orange juice. "Most of the new guys are all chest-thumping, trying to make a name for themselves on day one. You're different. Quiet. Mysterious."

Eva forced a laugh, her palms starting to sweat. "I guess I'm just keeping a low profile. Don't wanna stir the pot, you know?"

"Smart." Landon winked. "This place is like a shark tank. Better to fly under the radar and avoid the drama."

Eva nodded, but her attention drifted. Across the cafeteria, Chase Hartley sat at a center table, laughing with his friends. He was surrounded by guys who hung onto his every word, all of them jostling for his attention like moths drawn to a flame. Chase was magnetic in a way that made Eva's pulse race. He seemed to command the room without even trying, every glance, every smirk pulling people into his orbit.

Eva quickly looked away, focusing on her food, but the feeling that Chase's eyes were somehow on her lingered like a weight pressing down on her chest. She forced herself to ignore it.

"So, what's up with you and Chase?" Landon's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.

Eva's heart skipped. "What?"

"Yesterday, in the locker room," Landon said, raising an eyebrow. "Chase isn't exactly the type to go out of his way for someone unless there's a reason."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Eva muttered, suddenly very interested in her toast.

Landon chuckled, leaning back in his chair like he'd just uncovered something juicy. "Trust me, if Chase is paying attention to you, it's either because he's bored, or you've caught his interest. Neither is good."