Sane

Chapter.31

Niya POV
"Yeah, you're right,"she  replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she gathered her things. The morning had been a whirlwind of emotions, and she was still processing the warmth of Dezmon's breakfast surprise.

"Go get dressed, and I'll meet you in the car," he said, flashing her a reassuring smile before heading downstairs.

As she slipped into her favorite jeans and a cozy sweater, Niya felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. She knew she should be grateful for Dezmon's affection, but the shadows of self-doubt lingered in her mind. She rushed through her routine, trying to shake off the nagging thoughts that threatened to ruin her day.

Once ready, she hurried out the door, but as she approached the car, she noticed Dezmon already waiting with the engine running. "You look great!" he called out, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.

"Thanks!" Niya managed to reply, feeling her cheeks flush slightly under his gaze.

"Let's get going," he said with a grin, but as they drove to school, Niya felt an inexplicable urge to skip the ride altogether. "I'll see you in second period, okay?" she said suddenly, surprising both herself and Dezmon.

"Behave yourself, Ms. Lady," he teased, leaning over to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. The warmth of his lips sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach, and she couldn't help but blush.

"You got it," she replied with a shy smile before stepping out of the car and watching him drive away. As she walked towards the entrance of the school, Niya felt a mix of determination and dread. She wanted to focus on her classes and not let anything distract her from what mattered most—her future.

But as soon as she settled into her first-period class, that determination began to wane. The chatter around her faded into a dull roar as two girls in the back corner caught her attention.

"Ughh! I can't believe Dezmon actually likes her," one girl scoffed, clearly annoyed. "Look at her; she's not even that pretty."

Niya's heart sank at their words. It was like a punch to the gut. She tried to shake it off and concentrate on the teacher's lecture about historical events, but their whispers echoed in her mind like an incessant drumbeat.

"Who does she think she is?" another girl chimed in. "She's just lucky he hasn't noticed how basic she is."

Niya felt heat rise to her cheeks as embarrassment washed over her. She glanced around the room, hoping no one else was paying attention to their cruel remarks. But it seemed like everyone was oblivious to the hurtful comments being thrown around like confetti.

As the teacher droned on about dates and names that felt increasingly irrelevant, Niya struggled to focus on anything other than those words—words that made her feel small and insignificant. She thought about how Dezmon had looked at her this morning, how genuine his affection felt despite what those girls said.

But doubt crept in like an unwelcome guest. Was there something wrong with her? Was she really not pretty enough for someone like him? The questions spiraled in her mind until they felt suffocating.

She took a deep breath and reminded herself of Dezmon's kindness—the way he had gone out of his way to make breakfast for her and how he always seemed to see something special in her that others overlooked. Maybe those girls were just jealous or insecure themselves.

With renewed determination, Niya decided that she wouldn't let their words define her. She would focus on what truly mattered: her education and building a future that made her proud—one where she wouldn't be swayed by petty remarks or superficial judgments.

As the bell rang signaling the end of first period, Niya gathered her things and stood up tall. She would walk into second period with confidence; after all, she had someone who believed in her—someone who saw beyond appearances.

Taking one last deep breath before stepping into the hallway, Niya promised herself that today would be different. She wouldn't let anyone dim the light that Dezmon had helped ignite within her. With each step toward second period, she felt stronger—ready to face whatever came next with resilience and grace.