All Chapters of PAY TO BREAK ME: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

JACK'S POVEvery step Aaron took toward my desk looked reluctant. His shoulders were stiff, and his grip tightened around the strap of his bag.The professor had already gone back to writing across the whiteboard by the time he reached my row.He stopped beside the empty chair, glanced at me once, then quietly pulled it out.He sat down carefully, leaving as much space between us as the chair would allow, his bag resting awkwardly on his lap before he finally placed it on the floor.The little towel-wrapped ice pack was still in his hand. Without thinking, my eyes drifted to the bandage taped across his forehead.Then, I recalled how he had walked into that locker.Earlier, he had said it didn't hurt much but I could tell he was lying.Aaron looked up and our eyes met for a brief moment. Almost immediately, he turned his face toward the front of the class, pretending to be deeply interested in whatever the professor was explaining.I did the same too."Open your textbooks to page fort

JACK'S POVThe bell rang, cutting straight through Professor Rachelle's explanation.She glanced at the clock before setting the marker down."I'll stop here for today, but before you leave, let me remind you of what's expected." Her gaze swept across the classroom. "This isn't just another written assignment. Social Science is about understanding people, so over the course of this semester, you're going to understand the person assigned to be your project partner."She paused for a while, and began walking through the middle of the class. "Each pair is expected to spend at least five hours together outside school. You'll interview one another, visit at least one place together, and by the end of the semester, you'll present a project titled..." She smiled. "'Who My Partner Really Is.'""Your presentation won't be about your partner's favorite color or what they eat for breakfast. I want you to understand who they really are… their values, habits, goals, fears, strengths, weaknesses."

ARIANA'S POVI couldn't stop. No matter how hard I tried, the sobs just kept coming. My shoulders shook violently beneath my hands as I struggled to breathe through the overwhelming ache in my chest."I'm..." I gasped between broken breaths. "I'm sorry..."I wasn't even sure who I was apologizing to anymore.Maya.Professor Thiago.Myself.Another sob escaped before I could swallow it back.Then, I swayed forward. He caught me again before I could lose my balance completely.For a brief second, I tried to pull away but I couldn't.My forehead ended up resting against the front of his shirt, and fresh tears soaked into the soft fabric almost immediately."Oh God..." I whispered through trembling breaths. "I'm... I'm so sorry..."Professor Thiago remained completely still.I felt him hesitate like he wasn't sure whether moving would make things worse."Ms. Castillo..."His voice was gentle.I squeezed my eyes shut. "I'm sorry," I cried again. "I'm ruining your shirt..."He didn't answer

JACK'S POVMy phone vibrated just as I unlocked it. For a second, I simply stared at the screen.Aaron.A slow smile found its way onto my face before I could stop it.He had booked.After everything that had happened the other night, after the awkward silence and the way he'd walked out of the club without looking back, I had honestly thought he wouldn't come again.My thumb hovered over his name as I reread his name for what was probably the fifth time.Tonight. I was going to see him tonight.The thought settled warmly in my chest. I didn't even realize I was smiling until I felt someone looking at me.I lifted my head.Across the cafeteria, Aaron was staring at me. The moment our eyes met, he looked away.The corner of my lips lifted again. His reaction was becoming strangely adorable.I let my gaze linger on him for another second before a sudden warmth hit my left ear."What the…" I jerked instinctively, nearly dropping my phone, and slapped a hand over my ear before turning.C

AARON'S POVMy heart slammed hard against my ribs.Nobody moved.The entire cafeteria had gone eerily still, every pair of eyes fixed on the scene unfolding in front of us.Sera's face had completely drained of color."I..." she whispered again, her voice barely audible. "Jack... please..."Jack didn't blink. "Don't waste my time.”His voice wasn't loud. It didn't need to be because it sounded really terrifying.Sera looked desperately toward her friends. None of them looked at her. Their heads were lowered as they fiddled with their nails. One by one, they slowly stepped farther back, pretending they had nothing to do with this.Cowards.My stomach twisted.This wasn't right. No matter what she'd done, this wasn't right.The whispers around us grew louder."Is she actually going to do it?""There's no way...""Dude, start recording."Within seconds, several phones were raised into the air. More students gathered around us, forming a loose circle.Some looked horrified while others lo