GoodNovel• Chapter 16 • The crushing workload of senior year AP classes hit like a freight train.
• Sid and I both attacked it with a kind of obsessive focus. We discovered we were intellectual kindred spirits— both genuinely energized by learning rather than exhausted by it.
• We devoured new concepts, already thinking ahead to college coursework.
• We fell into an easy rhythm of swapping notes, talking through difficult concepts, and challenging each other with extra problems neither teacher had assigned.
• Days blurred together in a productive bubble that felt safely distant from my old life.
• After midterms, during evening study hall, I heard the chair besidescrape against the floor.
• Without looking up from my calculus proofs, I slid over a container of sliced apples and • strawberries.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt• "My mom's on a health kick again. She sent enough for both of us, Sid." • "How much longer are you planning to keep up this bullshit, Phoebe?" My head snapped up.
• Zephyr was lounging in Sid's seat.
• • He had positioned himself to blockinto the corner, one arm stretched across the back of my • chair.
• "So you ghosted me, switched to AP without saying a word, and now you're playing house with this preppy little bitch to makejealous? Who the fuck said you could do that?" • "Listen carefully-if you're still hoping we end up at the scollege, you need to drop this loser immediately. I'm not playing around." • The classroom went deadly quiet.
· • Everyone suddenly developed an intense interest in their textbooks while obviously straining to hear every word.
• Chapter 16 I let out a laugh that contained zero humor, meeting his eyes directly.
• "Move. That's Sid's seat." • Zephyr's eyes narrowed dangerously.
• • "No. I decide where I sit." · • I tried pushing him away, but he grabbed my wrist, yankingtoward him with familiar • roughness.
• His grip was bruising, his physical advantage obvious.
• That sfeeling of powerlessness I'd felt in the bathroom returned like a wave.
· • The smix of humiliation and heartbreak.
• "Excuse me." • Two precise knuckle taps on Zephyr's desk.
"I believe you're in my assigned seat." • Sid stood there with perfect posture, head slightly tilted as he regarded Zephyr with what appeared to be genuine confusion.
• "I don't recognize you from our AP Physics section. Are you new?" • He said "AP Physics" with just enough emphasis to make his point without being openly insulting.
• Zephyr's face transformed with rage, launching to his feet to grab Sid's collar. "Say that to my face again, you fucking nerd." • Sid didn't flinch. He calmly pointed to the clock on the back wall.
• "Dr. Williams will be here in approximately twenty seconds. He's very strict about non-enrolled students disrupting his study hall." • Zephyr's face darkened as he spat out a string of obscenities, shoving Sid aside as he stormed out.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm• • • The moment Sid reclaimed his seat, he turned to me, concern in his eyes.
• 42 Chapter 16 "Are you alright? Your wrist is red." I felt mortified by the whole scene.
"I'm so sorry about that. I apologize for how he acted."
"Could you... maybe not apologize for him?" Sid was quiet for a moment before adding gently. You're not responsible for his behavior. And hearing you take ownership of his actions... it hurts to see,"
I stared at him, completely unprepared for such a direct but tender statement, heat rising En.
unexpectedly to my face... I excused myself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my cheeks.
Trying to cool down whatever this new feeling was.
But as I stepped into the dimly lit hallway, someone grabbedfrom behind and shovedinto an empty classroom. Zephyr pinnedagainst the closed door, his voice a threatening whisper: "Congratulations, Phoebe. You finally got my attention." "What's your price for ditching Pretty Boy? Just tellwhat it'll take to get you back where you belong." ♡ (0) mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1
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