Rose had just pulled out her phone when the screen lit up with a message from Leo. Come to the senior section for lunch. Don't make me come drag you.’ She huffed softly through her nose, already knowing he meant it. Turning to Sandra and Kehlani, she slipped her phone back into her bag. “You two
Inside the office, Lopez shut the door with a sharp click, crossing to her desk. “Jesse,” she said, folding her hands, “I’m going to ask this once—who told you to start those rumors?” Jesse’s breath hitched. “I… I don’t know what you’re—” “Stop,” Lopez interrupted, her voice slicing clean through.
It had taken patience. And precision. But Rose had reached her limit and was done playing nice. The next morning, she walked into school with a single goal in mind. The evidence she’d gathered was enough to crush the disciplinary notice and silence the whispers for good. She went straight to Teac
That night. The Anderson estate’s dining room glowed in the soft amber light of the chandelier, casting a warm haze over the polished mahogany table. The scent of roasted chicken, buttered vegetables, and freshly baked bread filled the air, making the evening feel cozy despite the formality of the
She pulled to a stop directly in front of the grand entrance. Before she could even step out, she spotted a familiar figure waiting at the bottom of the steps. Nancy. Dressed in a sharp navy blazer over a silk blouse, her hair neatly swept into a low bun, she looked every bit the efficient, comp
It was a warm conversation before Rose finally ended the call, a small smile lingering on her lips. She set her phone back in the cup holder, shifted gears, and kept driving toward her destination. The further she drove, the quieter the world became. The busy hum of the city faded into the backgrou