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Chapter 2

Jenna's POV

When Jaden walked into history class and headed to his seat, I watched him closely. Not just looked — watched. My eyes followed every tired, careless step he took. I tried to catch his attention, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he'd see the concern on my face and understand that I wasn't judging him... I was worried.

I tilted my head slightly, eyebrows raised, almost pleading for him to look at me for more than half a second. But Jaden didn't even acknowledge me. He kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, acting like I wasn't even in the room, like the silent message I was sending meant nothing to him.

And it hurt way more than I wanted to admit.

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Jaden's POV

As soon as I sat down in my seat, the first thing that popped into my head was: Why the hell was Jenna looking at me like that?

Concern. Worry. Maybe disappointment.
Or maybe she just wanted to start lecturing me again. I couldn't tell — I didn't want to tell.

About twenty minutes into class, Mrs. Eisenhower asked me a question. A simple one, something I probably should've known the answer to. But I stared down at my desk and muttered, "Don't feel like answering." Then I looked away, refusing to make eye contact.

The room felt heavy for a moment, the way it does when everyone knows you're being difficult on purpose. So she sighed, turned away from me, and called on Jenna instead.

Of course, Jenna answered the question perfectly — calm, confident, and ready like she always is.

"Correct, Jenna. Wonderful job," Mrs. Eisenhower said, giving her a proud smile. Then she turned to me. "Jaden, maybe you could learn a thing or two from Jenna."

I didn't respond. I didn't argue. I just kept my face blank and silent, making it painfully clear that I didn't care.

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Jenna's POV

After I answered the question, I glanced over at Jaden again — hoping maybe he'd meet my eyes or at least show some sign that he appreciated me defending him with my silence. But the moment our eyes almost met, he instantly looked away like I burned him.

Fifteen minutes later, Mrs. Eisenhower clapped her hands together and said, "Okay, class. Since we only have about four minutes left, I'm going to let you have the rest of the period to yourselves. I'll also be passing back your tests from last week. They're on my desk. When the bell rings, you can come up and grab them. And remember — your chapter test is tomorrow, worth sixty points."

As soon as she said that, I pulled out my phone to check my grades online, a habit I do way too often. Everything showed up as A's. Clean, perfect A's. It made me feel a tiny bit proud — like I still had control over something.

The bell rang. I walked up to the desk and grabbed my test. 84%. Not my best, but still good.

"Good job, Jenna. Keep up the good work," Mrs. Eisenhower said warmly.

But when Jaden stepped forward to get his test, she stopped him.

"Jaden, I need you to stay after class," she said firmly.

He just shrugged and said, "Okay."

I didn't stay to hear the rest. I simply walked out the door and headed toward my study hall, my heart heavy after how the class had gone.

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Jaden's POV

Mrs. Eisenhower kept me behind because I'd gotten another F. Another one. She stood there with her arms crossed, frustration written all over her face.