Broken homes

Finals exam

The atmosphere at school was tense. The usual chatter in the hallways had been replaced with students stressing over textbooks, last-minute notes, and whispered study sessions.

Lily walked into the building with her signature confidence, a Chanel bag over her shoulder and her hair perfectly styled. She looked unbothered, but deep down, she wasn't.

Nate met her at her locker, leaning against it with a grin. "Ready for finals?"

She scoffed, pulling out a notebook. "Please, I don't do stress."

Nate chuckled. "Right. Because drinking behind the library last week wasn't stress at all."

Lily shot him a glare. "Don't start."

Across the hall, Cory, Topanga, Angela, and Shawn were standing together, all deep in conversation about the upcoming exams.

"Mr. Feeny is gonna destroy us with this history test," Cory groaned, rubbing his temples.

Topanga rolled her eyes. "Only if you don't study, Cory."

Angela nudged Shawn. "You've been quiet. You ready for finals?"

Shawn, who had been watching Lily and Nate the entire time, blinked and turned back to Angela. "Huh? Oh. Yeah, totally."

Angela gave him a knowing look. "Right."

Just then, Lily walked past them with Nate, completely ignoring Cory and Shawn.

Cory frowned. "She's still mad at me?"

Topanga sighed. "Cory, you basically chose Shawn over her. What do you think?"

Shawn rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Lily doesn't care about stuff like that. She's probably just in one of her moods."

Angela raised an eyebrow. "And that doesn't concern you?"

Shawn hesitated, watching Lily as she laughed at something Nate said. His stomach twisted, but he pushed the feeling down.

"Whatever," he muttered. "She's fine."

Angela didn't look convinced, but she didn't press the issue.

At Penbrooke Meanwhile, Abigail, Jack, and Eric were at their lockers, arguing over who was going to fail first.

"Jack's failing math," Eric said confidently.

Jack scoffed. "Excuse me, I study."

Abigail rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but I see you take more study breaks than actual studying."

Jack groaned. "Okay, fair."

Eric grinned. "And Abigail's definitely failing science."

"HEY!" Abigail shoved him. "I know things."

"Name one thing."

"...Shut up, Eric."

As the day went on, tension was high, friendships were strained, and the only thing on everyone's mind was getting through finals—one way or another.