MasukLUKE’S P.O.VI sit in the reception, waiting to be called in.It’s been ten minutes, and even after reporting myself to the receptionist, no one has called for me.My fingers drift to my knuckles, brushing lightly over the bruises.They’re swollen and red—streaked with blood that isn’t mine.Nathaniel’s.It felt good punching him, wiping the smug look clean off his smug face.Watching the air leave his system when I connected to his face, watching him fall, it was satisfying.And when he didn’t get back up, and his body didn’t move, it didn’t bother me.With a punch like that, I wasn’t expecting him to move anyway.It’s the least he deserved.Dre had walked out of the cafeteria just before it happened.Her eyes were glassy, and hot tears threatened to spill.I called after her, asked what was wrong.She didn’t answer.That was enough. I knew Nathaniel had done something.But even then, I didn’t go looking for him to punch him. He came to me.I was trying to find Ian, hoping he’d expl
DRE’S P.O.V“But did you know?” I ask, watching Ruth splash water on her face.She straightens watching me through the mirror.“Know what?”“About Nate and Maddie.” My voice cracked a little. “Did you know what they were doing?”Ruth turns off the tap and facing me fully, her eyes already puffy and red. “No, Dre. I didn’t know she’d do that.”“How is that even possible, Ruth?” The heaviness returned to my chest, pressing down harder, making it difficult to breathe. “She’s your friend.”“We aren’t friends anymore, Dre,” she says quietly, almost pleading. “And if I knew, I would have told you. I swear.”I search her face, looking for any sign of a lie, but all I see is exhaustion and sincerity. Still, the doubt lingers.I lean back against the tiled wall, arms wrap round myself.“I feel like an idiot who didn’t see it coming.”Ruth steps closer, her wet hands fidgeting at her sides. “You’re not an idiot. Nate’s the idiot. Maddie too. They’re both trash for doing this to you.”A bitter
DRE’S P.O.VMy salad’s cold, I can barely eat a thing.I came to the cafeteria starved, but the moment I saw them, my appetite disappeared.Nate and Maddie are just a few tables away from me.He leans back against the wall near the vending machines.Maddie’s pressed up against him, her arms looped around his neck. They’re kissing openly, right there in front of everyone—in front of me.His hands rest low around her waist, pulling her closer like My stomach drops. Nate doesn’t even care. He knows I’m watching. His eyes flick toward me mid-kiss, and he smirks arrogantly against Maddie’s lips.He doesn’t pull away; if anything, he deepens the kiss, making a show of it.Everyone watches them; most eyes stay fixed on me, wanting to see if I’ll react.My eyes burn.I force my gaze down to the pathetic pile of cold lettuce on my tray, but the image is already seared behind my eyelids. Hot tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I blink hard, refusing to let them fall in front of all these
LUKE’S P.O.VDre sits cross-legged on the floor opposite me, scribbling in a notebook while she does homework.The medication had finally settled her, leaving her calmer and more focused than I’d seen in days.“Can you pass me my glasses on the table?” She asks, pointing toward the table without looking up. “I’m tired of squinting my eyes.”I look at the table, then back at her.“I don’t feel like getting up,” I say, already comfortable at where I am.“Please, Luke.”I smirk forms on my lips. “I like it when you beg.”Dre rolls her eyes. “So are you going to get it or not?”I sigh dramatically, pushing myself up. On her desk, the glasses sit neatly on top of a stack of books.By the time I turn back with them, Dre’s pulling off the oversized white hoodie she’d worn all day. Underneath is a thin, strapless top that has slipped dangerously low. Her breasts are practically spilling out.The soft fabric stretches tightly, slightly sheer. I stop mid-step, eyes locked on her before I ca
LUKE’S P.O.VShe stares at the small sealed bag in my palm. Two tiny white pills sit inside.Her jaw drops in shock.I press a finger to her lips, forcing her to close them again.“Before you say anything,” I start to say. “They’re clean. I wouldn’t give you anything sketchy.”“Xanax?” She whispers, even though I know she’s smart enough to know the answer.I nod once. “Well… generic alprazolam. Same thing.”Her eyes widen. “You carry anxiety pills around?”“Not usually for anxiety,” I mutter, looking around the parking lot briefly. “Look, I know what it looks like. But they help when shit gets this bad. One pill will take the edge off in twenty minutes. You’ll be able to stable again, even sit through a couple of classes feeling normal.”“Where did you get these?”“Is that relevant?” I ask back.“Yes,” Dre says in a baffled tone.“They were prescribed to me by a doctor when I was dealing with some shit.”“When?” Dre asks.I sigh. This is the point of it.“All I’m trying to say is the
DRE’S P.O.V“Andrea,” TJ calls a second time.My mouth opens, but no words come out.“Are you okay?”My brain finally catches up, and I straighten.“I’m fine,” I mutter, turning back to Luke’s locker and frantically rummaging for his keys.“I heard what happened,” TJ starts. “I’m sorry—”“Please stop, TJ,” I cut in rudely.He’s the last person I want pity from. He cheated on me, too, just like Nate. They’re all the same.I dig deeper into the locker, searching frantically, but the keys aren’t here.With a frustrated sigh, I slam the door shut and turn to face him. He’s still standing there, eyes soft in that way that used to make me melt. Not anymore.“I really need to talk to you, Andrea,” he says quietly.“Well, I don’t want to talk.”I try to brush past him, already pulling out my phone to text Luke to get his own damn keys. But TJ steps closer.“Please,” he begs, reaching for my arm, but I snatch it away just in time.“I said no,” I say, stopping in front of him. “I don’t ever, ev







