Semua Bab SECRETS & SCANDALS: Bab 31 - Bab 40

“Seriously?” Claire’s voice echoed loud enough that people turned. I didn’t look at her, but I knew the tone. Like she’d just watched someone put ketchup on ice cream.I kept my eyes on my tray.“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said, looking straight at Liam now. “Her?”Liam didn’t even move. He didn’t look at her. He just kept looking at me. And that made everything even worse.‘Please look away,’ I silently begged.As if my prayers were heard, he just picked up his fork and started eating, like she hadn’t said anything. Thank God.I had my hands clenched in my lap. It hurt, but I guess I needed it too.Claire laughed. Like, what the hell? She looked almost offended.No one answered. The rest of the guys looked unbothered.“This is actually sad.”She grabbed her bag. Looked at me like I was nothing.“Come on,” she said to Rose.Rose got up slowly. She looked at me, didn’t say anything. Then she followed Claire out. Nobody stopped them.The whole table went silent, until_“Don’t m

The next day, a new girl showed up. Her name was Maya. Nobody saw it coming. I mean, it’s senior year. People don’t just… transfer. Especially not girls like her. She was tall, pretty. She didn’t seem nervous or lost. She walked in like she already knew where everything was. Like walking into a whole new school was no big deal. They had one class. One. And by lunch, they were already walking out like they were best friends. At first, I told myself it wasn’t a big deal. People laugh. People click. Whatever. But then I walked into the cafeteria and— She was in my seat. Like…. Maya. Sitting in my spot. The one I always sit in, next to Sophia. She and Sophia were leaned in close, giggling over something. I just stood there, lost. Nadia saw me first. She moved over and tapped the spot next to her. “Here,” she said softly. “Sit here.” I did. Quiet. Everyone at the table was giving me this pity look. And Sophia? She didn’t even notice me. She was too busy laughing and talking

Zane’POV The second I stepped into that room and saw Ivy sitting there with Liam, I stopped. What the hell? Is that Ivy? With Liam? In our room? Nah. I froze. They were on the couch, both holding controllers. Ivy was laughing, like she was actually laughing. And Liam? He looked… different. Like that version of him only Ivy ever seemed to pull out. The one I didn’t recognize. It threw me off. Not because she was there, we’d let a few people in sometimes, but because Liam knew how I felt about Ivy. I told him. Told him straight up weeks ago I liked her. Ivy. That I was gonna try, just needed time. He’d nodded like he got it. Didn’t say much. He never does. Typical Liam. But I trusted him. So why’s he sitting there like that? Why’s she smiling like that? He never even smiles like that. My chest was tight. Not mad, just… weird. I didn’t expect that. Didn’t expect them. God. My jaw clenched. My fingers curled without meaning to. I was this close t

Ivy’s POVLiam walked in.The door shut with a loud sound that made me flinch a little. He looked around… then his eyes met mine.Claire stepped back a little like she was giving him room to explode. “Well, well,” she said. “Look at her getting comfortable.”I blinked.She crossed her arms, smug smile creeping in. “Oh, so we're hust sitting anywhere now?"I looked around, not sure what everyone was staring at. Then I looked down. My face went red immediately.I wasn’t on the couch anymore.I was in that chair.The one Liam always sat in.The big one with the wooden arms and deep back.I remembered Zane telling me about the chair. No one else touched it. Ever. Except Liam.I felt like the ground could just open and swallow me whole. Of all the places I could’ve ended up... why that one? I wasn’t even supposed to be asleep. I just sat down for a second.I felt sick.I shot to my feet so fast the armrest scraped my leg. “I—I didn’t mean to sit there. I was sleeping. I didn’t know.”Cla

Ivy’s POV I had no clue where I was headed. I just needed to leave. But as I ran down the hall, I ran right into Zane and Liam. Zane grabbed my arm before I could pass him. “Yo—what the hell?” Liam stepped between us, eyes darting around. “Ivy? What happened?” I wiped at my face, but it was useless. The tears kept coming, my hands were shaky. I knew I looked like a mess. Zane’s face changed instantly. “Who did this?” “Can I go?” I said, voice all shaky. “Please.” Diane and Nola caught up right after. Nola looked pissed. “She’s here,” Diane said, breathing hard. “Ivy—” “What happened?” Liam asked again, now directing the question to the newcomers. Zane looked worried. “Did someone say something to you?” Before I could answer, we heard shouting back inside the gym. Gary’s voice. “You don’t say that to someone who just lost everything!” Liam’s face changed instantly. He didn’t ask for details. He just turned and started walking fast toward the gym. His s