LOGINTyler“Walker requested the change.” Mr Hayes had said, looking up from the laptop at his desk. “See that the confidence she has in you isn’t wasted.”I honestly didn’t know what to feel about that, aside from the fact that Mr Hayes had called me to his office away from the guys for the second time.I almost scoffed when he said it. Because honestly…Sydney did not just do that.My chest had done that weird thing again, and I had to force myself to look away before Mr Hayes noticed.I loved it.But what stayed with me even more was finally telling Sydney about Sadie.And even though it’d slightly hurt to remember, it felt like the best thing to do in that moment, or I’d risk Sydney looking at me like some coward who couldn’t defend her when it actually mattered.‘Don’t start, Tyler.’ I told myself, as I stepped out of the shower after conditioning with Coach, Micheal, Aaron, Sammy and Dean.Right after watching Sydney Walker go bright red just because I’d sat beside her. And I couldn’t
Sydney“Mr Hayes?” the words left my mouth before I could stop them, my legs pushing me off my seat. He paused at the doorway and turned, his expression shifting the moment he saw me. “Walker.”My heart slammed against my ribs, everything in me screaming to just shut the hell up and not say anything and just apologize for calling his name.Abort mission.I mean, this was Mr Hayes. And apart from how stern he could be during class…he actually was stern.Most of the time.I tugged at the sleeve of my sweatshirt as I slowly walked towards him.His brows pulled together. “Something wrong?” “No. Yes. Actually…no, but…”‘Breathe, Sydney.’I glanced at the floor before forcing myself to look back at Mr Hayes, who looked confused at this point.“Well?” he prompted.“I just…I…I’m sorry for listening in, but I heard what you said to Tyler about his grade.”He waited.“And…I think I can help.” His brow lifted. “What exactly do you mean by help?”“I mean…the practical project.” I swallowed. “
Sydney A mixture of fear and shock crossed Tracy’s face instantly, her eyes locked on Maeve. “What the fuck are you talking about?” She asked, and for the first time since she’d cornered me, there was a crack in her voice. But Maeve’s smirk didn’t move. “Don’t believe me?” She said sweetly. “Maybe ask the one person who shouldn’t have had it in the first place. Might help you recognize people who are…just…like you.” Tracy went still. Andy stepped forward, but Maeve’s gaze darted towards her, and she shook her head. “Don’t even bother.” Silence settled between us. I watched Tracy’s eyes dart back and forth, like her brain was trying to put together a puzzle she wasn’t ready to solve. But I knew she knew. Andy knew. And somehow, only one name came to my head too. Dean. “This isn’t over.” Tracy hissed, stepping toward Maeve. “Oh, I think it is.” Maeve said without missing a beat. “I mean, you’ve got bigger problems to worry about now, don’t you?” Tracy gla
Sydney Here’s the thing about Lakeview—always expect something. Preferably the worst. First off, Monday arrived like the kind of train wreck you see coming but still somehow can’t avoid. Because after Maeve finally went home after forcing me to eat what felt like an entire large pizza, it took one last glance at that stuffed hamster before I drifted off to sleep. Longer than I expected. Then somehow my alarm screamed the next minute. And before I knew it, I was standing in front of my mirror, staring at my face like it wasn’t mine. Because yeah, the thought of going to school after such…an eventful weekend? Terrifying. I wrapped my arms around myself, studying my reflection—my hair still somehow sitting exactly the way Maeve had done it for the festival, my face as plain as it usually looked. But the thought of seeing Tyler at school again… Made my stomach knot. Still, I took multiple breaths, made sure Maeve was just as ready as I was before I stepped out of my
Sydney “So…” Maeve took a bite of her toast. “How did the talk with Tyler go?” I froze. “I mean…” she looked me over. “You’re still wearing that top from last night.” She chewed slowly. “You seem pretty comfortable in it.” I instinctively looked down at myself, staring at that black body-con top Maeve had squeezed me into. Then I looked back up, searching for a way to tell her I hadn’t taken it off because it smelled like Tyler. Stop. I quickly looked back at my drink. “It went well.” Maeve raised a brow. “Just well?” “I mean it was, till you told him that I like him.” Her eyes went so wide I thought they’d pop out. “I did what?” I nodded. “Oh my god, bury me.” She said, “I am so sorry.” I laughed under my breath. “No, it’s fine. I just…” my eyes dropped to my plate, suddenly remembering that look in Tyler’s eyes when he told me not to leave him. God…I nearly melted right there. Who knew Tyler could be so…vulnerable? “Sydney?” Maeve called, dragging my ey
Sydney The ride back home was quieter than I expected. Meave slept through half of it, snoring softly beside me and only groaning painfully when we hit a speed bump. That was about it. I rested my head against the window, the whole night replaying in my head, heating my cheeks over and over no matter how hard I tried to shove it away. ‘You’re friends. That’s all.’ I repeated to myself ten more times as I tucked Maeve into my bed after forcing some water down her throat. But as expected, sleep for me was half impossible. Not because of Maeve in my bed, or the fact that I spent about two more hours at my reading table, that little hamster sitting beside my laptop, lying to myself that I wasn’t tired. I was just…how was it just so easy for Tyler to call me his friend? Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate it. And I definitely don’t regret pulling him so close to me in the midst of those people in that parking lot. Or the way he held me back… ‘Stop it, Sydney.’ “Oh m
“Okay, rule number one,” Maeve said over the noise in the cafeteria. “Don’t challenge Tyler Sinclair in algebra.” I tried my best not to look around. "Why? He was wrong.” Maeve picked up a food tray and stopped in front of me. "I'm not blind, Sydney. And no one else in that class was. We all saw
Sydney Being Sydney Walker had never been easy. Not when I was little. Not now, as you’re reading this. At first, I was just that antisocial, nerdy girl who never put up her hand in class even when she knew an answer, who never looked anyone in the eye in the hallway, the girl who ran home the s
Sydney Two days after I had ketchup stuck to my butt, the gossip grew louder. No one whispered anymore or tried to hide their mouth when they spoke, or cared if I was right there. “I still can’t believe she’s Brooklyn Prescott’s sister.” “Yeah, talk about differences. Are you sure they’re
Tyler I didn’t even want to come in the first place. Michael’s parties were always predictable—crowded house, expensive liquor stolen from his parent’s wine cellar, music loud enough to make you go deaf. Same faces, same people in silly costumes, thirsty for some recognition. The only reas







