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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋,hand in hand, the entire hallway went silent.
Eyes locked on us, whispers spreading like wildfire. Some people looked jealous, others just plain shocked. I could practically hear their thoughts. When did this happen? How the hell did she pull that off? Is she insane?
The weight of the necklace around my neck felt different than my usual choker. No delicate bow this time—just the cold metal of a custom-made pendant, R.C. engraved into it. His initials. His mark on me. I caught a few girls staring at it, their expressions shifting from curiosity to envy.
Rafe walked like he owned the place, shoulders squared, his grip on my hand firm. Like he was daring anyone to say something. And of course, no one did.
We moved through the crowd with ease, stopping only when we reached Adriana and Lucas.
Lucas and Rafe immediately dapped each other up, pulling into a half-hug. "Damn, man," Lucas laughed. "Didn't think I'd see the day."
"Yeah, well," Rafe smirked, giving my waist a squeeze. "Guess you never know what's coming."
Adriana, on the other hand, was staring at me like I had just descended from heaven. "Babe." Her hands clasped mine as she took a step back to admire me. "You look unreal. I mean, I always knew you were that bitch, but this?" She gestured at the necklace, at Rafe's arm around me. "You need to tell me everything."
I grinned. "Later."
But then, Adriana's expression shifted—lips pressed into a thin line, body stiffening. I followed her gaze.
Sofia.
She walked past us, talking with some girls, but something about the way Adriana's entire mood changed made my skin prickle.
"What's going on?" I asked, my voice low.
Adriana hesitated. "It's nothing."
"Adriana." My tone sharpened.
She sighed, glancing at Rafe, who was already watching with mild interest. Then she leaned in. "I heard her talking shit. About you. About your family."
A slow, simmering heat spread through my chest. "When?"
"This morning," Adriana muttered. "She was with those girls from the swim team. Didn't know I was walking by."
I didn't need to hear any more.
Rage burned through me so fast I could barely think. My body moved on instinct, my heels clicking against the floor as I strode after Sofia.
