Anvaila Emerson, a vibrant party lover, juggles her crush on Kevin Diaz, the basketball team captain, and the return of mysterious Austin Smith to senior year. Caught in a high school drama, Anvaila faces the complexities of emotions, friendships, a...
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The moment the bell chimed, a surge of adrenaline shot through me, and I bolted out of class, dodging a sea of students flooding the hallway. Ten minutes to grab my chemistry notebook and regroup before the next period. Every second felt like a ticking time bomb, and I was convinced my heart was about to leap out of my chest.
“Whoa, slow down, speed demon!” Rachel’s voice sliced through the chaos as she grabbed my arm, her grip surprisingly firm.
“I’m not running a marathon, just a sprint for survival,” I shot back, jamming my notebook into my backpack, my fingers trembling slightly. The weight of the chaos pressed down on me, and I could feel my pulse racing as I fought against the tide of bodies.
Rachel studied me, her brow furrowed with concern. “Vinny, are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Honestly, I’m fantastic! Just a little… energy boost,” I replied too quickly, forcing a smile that felt as real as a unicorn. It was a lie I didn’t even believe myself.
She wasn’t buying it. “You went pale when You-know-who walked by.”
I groaned internally. Why did my high school life feel like a bad soap opera? “I’m over it. This is the new and improved Vinny—not the awkward girl I used to be,” I declared, though even I could hear the slight quiver in my voice.
With a knowing look, Rachel pulled me into a hug. “Sure, because nothing screams ‘I’m over it’ like a full sprint through the hallway.”
As we broke apart, I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the pep talk, Coach.”
Rachel smirked, but I could see the worry still etched on her face. I had to pull myself together. After all, I was stronger now—more resilient. The last time I had seen Austin, my entire world had crumbled like a cheap sandwich. But now? Now, I was a fierce warrior ready to conquer anything… including my feelings.
I headed to my locker, desperately trying to shake the image of Austin’s face from my mind. The way he had looked—tall, charming, and infuriatingly perfect—made my stomach twist into knots.
