Her eyes burned with rage, and she looked like she was about to snap.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Elena said, turning with a puzzled expression. She looked genuinely confused by the accusation.
“It was you! You locked me in there! Why won’t you just admit it?”
“Then let me ask you something,” Elena said, tilting her head slightly. “If the equipment was already moved, why’d you drag me to the supply room?”
“I…” Sarah opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Just like when Zayden had questioned her-she had no answer.
“You told me you dropped your phone in the bathroom, so I went in to help, and you locked the door behind me. Then you asked me to return a book and used the librarian’s login to trap me in the library. Another time, you lied and said a teacher wanted to see me in the seventh-floor classroom-and I ended up locked in there for two full periods.” Elena’s voice stayed calm, and steady. “You really thought I wouldn’t catch on? That I’d fall for it every single time?”
Sarah’s lips started to tremble. She grabbed Elena’s arm, tears spilling from her eyes. “Elena… those were just pranks! I already apologized for all that!”
“Then what was today about?”
“Because… because you’re too good at everything, Elena. I got jealous. I shouldn’t have, okay? I’m sorry. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad…”
Sarah’s voice dropped. She looked genuinely scared.
If their parents found out what happened today, they’d definitely sit her down for a serious talk. She was the golden child, and the last thing she needed was to get dragged into one of their never-ending lectures.
“You’re my sister. Why would I rat you out?” Elena said gently. “Let’s drop it. I just want you to stop coming after me. After all… I’m the one representing you in next month’s math competition. You remember that, right?”
Her voice was calm and steady, like she was trying to put Sarah at ease.
Sarah’s nerves finally started to settle.
“Since I’m helping you so much,” Elena added casually, “maybe you could return the favor?”
“Huh?” Sarah blinked, caught off guard. Elena had never asked her for help before.
“I need to focus for the competition, and I really don’t want Mom and Dad hovering. I already talked to my teacher and got approval to stay in the dorms. You’ll talk to them for me, right?”
“Of course!” Sarah said quickly. “If you score well, I’ll say whatever you need. I’ve got your back!”
“Perfect.” Elena smiled.
The bell rang.
Sarah darted back to class, not wanting anyone to see her hanging around outside Class Six.
Elena’s smile faded. Her face returned to its usual cold, unreadable expression.
As Elena stepped into the classroom, she nearly bumped into Nolan-he was standing right behind the door.
“You’re competing in the math competition next month, and you still have time to cover for her?”
Elena shrugged. “I said I’d help. Doesn’t mean I actually will. She’s the one who took it seriously.”
In my last life, I was the idiot who treated every promise like it actually mattered. But lucky for me, Sarah still thinks I’m that same pushover. That’s why she didn’t even question it when I said I’d take the test for her.Honestly, pretending to play nice with her makes my skin crawl.But if this gets me permission to stay in the dorms…then I’ll finally get a break from that suffocating house.Totally worth it.
Inside the classroom, Henry slumped over his desk, clearly bored. “Man, your sister’s wild. Throwing you under the bus for no reason? Are you two even from the same mom?”
Colton rolled his eyes. “Seriously? Not the same mom? What are you even talking about?”
Elena couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh. If only Sarah and I didn’t share a mom. That would’ve made things a lot easier.
The school day was almost over.
Zayden sat in the classroom, staring out the window.
Class One always had the heaviest workload-and the latest dismissal. The other classes had been out nearly twenty minutes ago.
Noticing Zayden still looking outside, Sarah leaned over and asked, “Zayden, are you looking for Elena?”
“No,” Zayden replied flatly, turning his gaze away. Why would I be watching Elena?
Sarah smiled like she hadn’t noticed the tension. “No need to keep looking-Elena’s not going home anymore.”
Zayden’s hand froze around his pen. “She’s moving into the dorms?”
“Yep,” Sarah nodded. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her. Maybe she’s dating someone? Why else would she suddenly decide to stay on campus?”
Dating… The image of Elena and Nolan slipping into that empty classroom flashed through Zayden’s mind. No wonder she’s been acting so distant lately. She’s moved on.
A heavy pressure settled in his chest.
He should’ve seen it coming.
Elena hadn’t followed him around at all these past few days, and out of nowhere, she requested a transfer to Class Six. They must’ve been seeing each other for a while now.Now she was suddenly living on campus?
“Zayden? You okay?” Sarah asked, feigning concern.
“What else did she say?”
Sarah shook her head. “Not much. She just told me to let our parents know she’s moved into the dorms and won’t be coming home.”
Before she could finish, Zayden was already on his feet.
Startled, Sarah jumped up too. “Zayden!
Where are you going?”
Everyone in the room turned to look.
The teacher slammed a hand on the desk. “Sarah! Sit down.”
She froze, then quietly returned to her seat, cheeks burning.
The teacher glanced at the clock and said, “Zayden already finished his test. If you haven’t, keep working.”
Everyone immediately looked back down at their desks.
Out in the hallway-
Zayden strode straight to the Class Six door.
Elena was alone, working through problems in her practice book.
Zayden shoved the door open.
Elena looked up, startled, as he stormed in. “Zayden?”
His voice was low and tense. “You and Nolan-how far has it gone?”
She blinked. What is he even talking about?
“I’m asking you-how far have things gone between you two?” Zayden repeated, barely holding back his anger, veins rising at his temple.
“Are you serious right now?” Elena frowned. “Don’t you think this is my business? You don’t get to question me like this.”
“If you’ve already picked Nolan, then why are you still holding on to our engagement?” Zayden stepped closer, his voice turning colder with every word. “Or are you just playing both sides-trying to figure out who’s the better option?”
“Zayden!” Elena’s voice sharpened. “I never agreed to marry you. That engagement was something the adults decided when we were kids. You even said it yourself-it doesn’t count.”
“‘Never agreed to marry me’…” Zayden let out a bitter laugh, like she’d just told a joke. His eyes darkened, filled with something possessive. “Then why were you always following me around? Why’d you give me that pen?”
Her eyes flickered. He knew about the pen?
Zayden took the pen from his pocket and raised it. “You gave Sarah the credit, no questions asked-because of Nolan, right? So you could end things with me and move on with him?”
Elena hadn’t expected him to twist it like that.
But maybe it was better this way. If that’s the story he wanted to believe, let him.
“Yeah,” she said with a forced sigh, “I like Nolan. That’s why I want to be done with you. Happy now? I was going to let this go,” she added, calm but sharp. “I wanted to keep things civil. I figured we could both just move on without drama. But you kept pushing, so here it is-yes, I transferred to Class Six for Nolan. Yes, I like him. And yes, I want to break off our engagement. And I’d really appreciate it if you’d stop clinging to me and focus on your SATs instead. Sound good?”
That hit him hard. Zayden’s expression darkened-completely losing control.
Zayden looked like he’d just been punched in the gut. Fury exploded behind his eyes as he lunged forward, grabbing Elena by the throat and slamming her against the wall.
“Elena,” he hissed, “nobody gets to play me like that!”
“Zayden! Let go! Are you out of your mind?” Elena gasped, helpless under his grip.
Just then, a firm hand landed on Zayden’s shoulder.
And in the next second-he was yanked away and thrown aside.
Inside the classroom, Nolan had somehow appeared without anyone noticing. He slung his backpack over one shoulder, his eyes cold as they landed on Zayden.
Students passing by in the hallway paused, heads turning, trying to see what all the commotion was about.
“Back off!” Zayden barked, still looking ready to throw a punch-just as the noise finally drew a teacher’s attention.
“Zayden! What do you think you’re doing? Get back to class!” The teacher snapped, face dark with disbelief.
Nolan getting involved was one thing. But Zayden? The school’s golden boy, picking a fight at school?
“Zayden, come on-let’s go,” Sarah rushed in, grabbing his arm and tugging at him.
But Zayden wouldn’t budge. His eyes stayed locked on Elena and Nolan.
…
After the crowd cleared out, Elena leaned against the wall, coughing hard.
Nolan walked over and gently patted her back, then turned her chin to the side with a light touch.
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