CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 43

EZRA

The exam paper landed on my desk with a soft thud. I gripped my pen like it was the only thing keeping me alive.

Thank God I’d studied days ago. Because if I’d opened a single book last night, I’d probably have seen Father Dorian’s face printed between the lines.

I shifted in my seat and winced. Subtle. Hopefully.

Focus, Ezra.

I powered through the questions, my handwriting a little shaky but at least the answers came. By the end, I dropped my pen, exhaled, and muttered, “Done.”

Walking out of the hall, I spotted Lily waving like an air traffic controller. “Ezra! Over here!”

I trudged over, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.

“You look different,” she said, squinting.

“Different how?” I asked too quickly.

Her eyes widened. “Oh my God. You did it.”

“Did what?”

“You had sex.”

My entire body went red. “What?! No—”

She shrieked, loud enough to echo. “You did! You had sex!”

Heads turned. People slowed down.

“Lily!” I whisper-screamed, yanking her arm. “Shut up!”

She gasped dramatically. “Was it with—”

I slapped my hand over her mouth. “Nope. Not here. Library. Now.”

I speed-walked like my life depended on it, dragging her along. My ears were burning so hot I thought they’d melt off.

In the library, I dropped my bag on a table and glared at her. “You. Mouth. Shut.”

She grinned under her hand until I finally released her. “You’re blushing so hard. It’s true, isn’t it?”

“I’m not talking about this,” I muttered, burying my face in my books.

She leaned across the table, eyes sparkling. “Ezra Monroe. Virgin no more.”

“Stop it!”

“Was it Father—”

I covered her mouth again. “Not. Another. Word.”

She mumbled something against my palm that sounded suspiciously like Father Hot Stuff.

Before I could die on the spot, movement caught my eye. Jordan slid into the seat next to Lily, as casual as ever.

“Why’s he red?” Jordan asked.

“No reason,” I said quickly.

“Big reason,” Lily teased.

I was about to argue when I noticed Jordan’s hand. Smooth. Sneaky. Sliding over the chair, giving Lily’s ass a squeeze.

My jaw dropped.

“Did you guys fuck?” I blurted.

Both of them froze like deer in headlights. Lily turned crimson. Jordan looked smug but caught.

I clapped a hand over my mouth. “Did I just say that out loud?”

“Yes, you did,” Jordan said flatly.

Lily buried her face in her hands. “Oh my God.”

I blinked between them. “Wait. You’re together?”

Jordan shrugged. “Yeah.”

“Since when?!”

Lily peeked through her fingers. “A while.”

I sat back, still gaping. “I—I can’t believe this.”

Jordan raised a brow. “What about you? You’ve been acting weird all week.”

Lily perked up instantly, pointing at me. “He had sex.”

“Lily!” I hissed.

Jordan’s brows shot up. “With who?”

Lily leaned in like she was about to drop the hottest gossip of the century. “With Fa—”

I slapped my hand over her mouth again. “No.”

Her eyes were wide, grinning under my palm.

Jordan leaned back slowly, arms crossed. “Wait. Are you saying…”

I waved my hands frantically. “Nope! Don’t say it. You didn’t hear anything.”

But they were both staring at me now like I’d just sprouted angel wings.

Lily muffled something against my hand. I pulled back.

She whispered, “You did, didn’t you?”

I buried my face in my arms. “I hate both of you.”

Jordan smirked. “You totally did.”

Lily squealed quietly. “Tell us everything.”

“Not happening,” I mumbled into the table.

But they kept staring, like vultures waiting for me to break.

I groaned, waving a hand. “You’re not even real people right now. I don’t see you. You don’t exist.”

Lily kicked my shin under the table. “Spill it.”

“Die,” I muttered.

“Love you too,” she sang, grinning ear to ear.

Jordan shook her head, but her smirk didn’t fade. “God’s watching you, man.”

I peeked out, glaring weakly. “Please kill me now.”

They laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet library, while I silently plotted my escape from this nightmare.