Chapter 20
*
The pavement felt uneven under my hurried steps as I made my way to the bus stop, the cool breeze brushing against my face. For a fleeting moment, I focused on the sound of my sneakers hitting the ground, trying to block out the swirling mess of thoughts in my head. It wasn’t working, though. My brain was a freaking carnival of confusion, complete with flashing lights and an annoying clown juggling questions I couldn’t answer.
Then I heard it.
The sharp, unmistakable clatter of heels. At first, I tried to ignore it–people walked down this road all the time. But this wasn’t the casual rhythm of someone minding their own business. No, these steps were deliberate, getting closer with every click.
I glanced over my shoulder and immediately groaned internally.
Vanessa. And her crew.
Vanessa always looked like she’d just stepped off a magazine cover, even when she was just walking down the street to terrorize people. Today, it was a sleek black crop top with some faint shimmer, paired with leather pants that looked like they had been sewn directly onto her body. Her heeled boots clicked as she walked, her dark hair flowing behind her like she was some kind of movie villain.
Mia and Brooke flanked her, as usual. Mia, blonde and sharp–looking, had on a denim jacket and matching skirt combo, her gold hoops glinting in the sunlight. Brooke was the “casual” one in the group, with an oversized blazer and ripped jeans, but her chunky sneakers and ridiculous stack of necklaces made it clear she was anything but low–maintenance.
They weren’t just walking somewhere. They were coming straight for me.
I thought about speeding up, maybe pretending I hadn’t seen them, but Vanessa’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Hey, hold up.”
Before I could react, her hand was already on my wrist, yanking me toward her. “Come with us,” she said, her tone making it clear there wasn’t really an option to say no.
I could’ve resisted, but honestly? A scene wasn’t worth it. So, I let her drag me along, Mia and Brooke boxing me in on either side like I was some prized possession they needed to smuggle out of the country.
They pulled me to a corner near the bike racks, out of sight from most of the passing students. Vanessa let go of my arm with a little shove, crossing her arms over her chest and giving me a look that made my stomach twist.
“Alright,” she said, tilting her head like a hawk sizing up its prey. “What’s going on with you and Ethan?”
Ah. Of course.
I let out a long sigh, leaning back against the metal bars. “Nothing’s going on,” I said, my voice flat.
Vanessa’s eyebrows shot up. She turned to Mia, who was leaning against one of the racks with her arms crossed. “Does she not understand English?”
“How would I know?” Mia said, inspecting her nails like she was too good for this conversation. “It’s not like I’ve ever heard her talk before.”
Brooke chuckled softly, stepping forward with a fake pout on her face. “Come on, you guys. Look at her. You’re scaring the poor thing.”
I had to bite back a snort at that one. I wasn’t scared–I was annoyed. But sure, let them think whatever they wanted if it meant this would end faster.
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.
Vanessa wasn’t buying it. She took a step closer, her heels clicking ominously on the pavement. “Oh, really?” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Then why has Ethan been staring at you?”
I blinked, caught off guard. So they noticed.
That’s not good.
“I don’t know,” I said again, trying to sound more confident this time.
“Always staring,” Mia added, rolling her eyes for dramatic effect.
Vanessa narrowed her eyes, looking me up and down like I was some puzzle she couldn’t solve. “What the hell does he even see in you?” she muttered, reaching out to flick a strand of my hair.
I flinched back, my patience rapidly wearing thin. “Maybe he just likes staring at random people,” I shot back before I could stop myself.
That sent all three of them into peals of laughter, their voices echoing off the walls.
“Oh, sure,” Vanessa said, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye. “Because Ethan is totally the kind of guy who stares at random people.”
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3:34 PM
Chapter 20
e
The laughter finally died down, but the tension didn’t. Brooke stepped closer, her expression softening into something that might’ve been concern if I didn’t know better. “You’re really not going to defend yourself?” she asked.
“I already told you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “There’s nothing going on.”
Vanessa huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder with a flourish. “Whatever,” she said, taking a step back. “Just stay out of his way, alright? Don’t think for a second you’re special or something.”
With that, she spun on her heel and marched off, her lackeys trailing behind her like perfectly coordinated ducklings.
I stayed where I was, leaning against the cold metal as their laughter faded into the background. My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms.
What the hell was I supposed to do? Ethan’s weird behavior wasn’t my fault, but somehow, I was the one getting cornered like I’d done something
wrong.
It’s not my fault he is a total psycho.
I let out a heavy sigh, my knees giving way as I sank to the ground. My hands came up to cover my face, fingers trembling as they pressed against my skin. How much longer can I keep living like this? How much more of this whirlwind of change can I possibly endure?
The sound of the bus approaching pulled me out of my thoughts. I stood up and trudged toward it, climbing aboard and slumping into a seat near the back. Staring out the window, I tried to focus on the scenery rushing past.
But I couldn’t.
My mind was stuck on an endless loop, replaying everything that had unraveled in my life over the past few days.
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