I can't wipe the smile off my face. Every time I close my eyes, the moments between Dan and me replay like a forbidden melody I can't stop humming.
the lingering touches, the way his breath felt against my skin,it's all burned into me, impossible to forget.
As I step into class, I keep my composure, trying not to draw attention to myself. But it's futile. I can feel their eyes on me, scanning me like I'm something unfamiliar,
like I haven't walked these halls a hundred times before. A few hushed murmurs ripple through the room. I don't need to hear the words to know they're about me.
I lift my chin, carrying myself with the quiet confidence of a queen. My eyes land on Selena, her bright, knowing smile aimed at me like she's already in on a secret I haven't told.
"Who's got you smiling like that?" she teases, tilting her head.
My heart stutters. I can't tell her.
I can't tell anyone that the person responsible for the warmth spreading through my chest, the person who left me breathless, is my own brother.
"You know it's school. It's been a while, I got homesick."
The lie rolls off my tongue effortlessly, but my stomach tightens as I say it.
Selena narrows her eyes playfully, unconvinced but unwilling to push.
"Trust me, school was nothing without you."
I smile at her, appreciating the sentiment, but before I can respond, a movement in my peripheral vision distracts me. Dan.
He's looking at me. No smirking.
His eyes hold a teasing glint, a silent acknowledgment of what transpired between us.
I feel heat rush to my cheeks, and before I can stop myself, a giggle slips through my lips. I press them together quickly, trying to contain the emotions that threaten to spill.
Selena doesn't seem to notice. She's too focused on her phone,
probably answering the endless stream of messages from her followers—questions about how she bagged Dom or links to the products she advertises.
"What did I miss?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.
"Honestly, school has been surprisingly calm," she says, not looking up.
The loudspeaker crackles to life, interrupting our conversation.
"Helen Edward, report to my office immediately."
A hush falls over the classroom, and in an instant, all eyes are on me again.
"Damn, you just got back, and you're already in trouble?" Sabrina grins, amused.
My stomach twists. It could only mean one person—Mrs. Edwina.
I steel myself as I make my way to her office. The moment I step inside, my breath catches. Seated across from her is Dom Bell.
I freeze.
Images of that night at the Italian restaurant flash in my mind,
the disappointment in his eyes, the way his jaw had tightened when I let him down.
I swallow hard and force myself forward. "Good day, Mrs. Edwina," I greet, keeping my voice steady as I take the seat beside Dom.
He turns to me with a small smile, one that feels... genuine.
Mrs. Edwina folds her hands over the desk, her eyes filled with something close to pride.
"Helen, I am so proud of you," she says, her tone warm. "I went through the assessment Dom has been giving you, and I'm happy to see you returning to your old self."
A slow smile spreads across my lips, my heart lifting.
"And we have Dom Bell to thank for it.
" She gestures toward him.
I nod, avoiding his gaze, though I can feel it on me.
"I want you to keep it up," Mrs. Edwina continues, her tone turning serious.
"I'd hate for you to lose your scholarship."
The weight of her words settles on me. I nod again.
She dismisses us, and as soon as we step out, Dom chuckles.
"I told you she was going to gloat about it."
I smirk. "Yeah, so typical of her."
Then he looks at me, really looks at me. "I'm glad you're back, Helen. Really."
Something about his tone makes me pause. He means it.
"I am too," I say softly. "And... thanks. For everything. For tutoring me. For not giving up."
As we walk back to class, my heart rate quickens.
Then I see him.
Dan.
Standing by the walkway.
And next to him, Sabrina.
My breath hitches as Dan reaches out, wrapping his fingers around her hand.
Sabrina's eyes widen in surprise, like she hadn't expected it. But she doesn't pull away.
A sharp, burning jealousy flares through me, twisting my insides.
I need to leave.
"Yeah, I have to go," I tell Dom abruptly, my eyes still locked on Dan.
Dom follows my gaze, his own eyes tracing where mine linger. He sees it.
"But we're going to the same—"
I don't wait for him to finish. I turn and walk away.
I can't let Dan think I care.
When I return to the classroom, Selena's eyes immediately find mine.
"How did it go?" she asks.
I drop into my seat.
"You know, Mrs. Edwina. Just gloating about my improvement." I wave it off, feigning nonchalance.
But my eyes betray me. They keep flickering toward the door.
And then, there they are.
Dan and Sabrina.
Still holding hands.
A sharp pain slices through my chest.
Selena follows my gaze and exhales. "You're still on their case?"
I snap my head toward her. "What are you talking about?"
She doesn't even blink. "Them." She nods toward Dan and Sabrina.
I try to act unaffected. "I'm trying. I just... can't." My voice wavers.
Selena sighs but doesn't push. Her attention shifts when Dom enters the room, and I take the chance to avoid his gaze.
"What's up with you and Dom?" she asks, eyes glinting with curiosity.
I hesitate. Talking about Dom means talking about Dan. And I'm not ready for that.
"We're cool," I say simply. "He's been... good."
Selena hums in thought. "He's just so level-headed."
I roll my eyes. "Girl, you have a man who loves you."
She smirks. "Can't a girl dream?"
Then her expression turns serious, and she leans in.
"Anyway, the lawyer agreed. He found a way for you to sneak in without your parents knowing."
My heart stutters.
"Really?" I whisper, barely able to contain my excitement.
"Yeah. You'd just have to disguise yourself as one of his workers. That's all."
My hands tighten around hers. "Thank you. This means so much to me."
Selena shrugs. "Maybe now you'll finally get over him."
I follow her gaze.
Dan is still with Sabrina.
Still touching her.
Flirting with her.
My stomach churns.
I force a smile.
"Yeah," I lie. "Maybe."
But deep down, I know.
I'm nowhere near letting go.
I needed to put Sabrina in her place.
She had gotten too comfortable, too bold. Maybe if I threatened her, she'd finally understand where I stood,
and where she belonged.
I had been watching her all day, waiting for the perfect moment.
Waiting for her to slip up.
And then it happened.
She stood from her seat, flipping her sleek hair over one shoulder before casually making her way toward the girls' washroom.
Now was my chance.
I counted to five, letting the seconds stretch, then rose from my seat, following her with slow, deliberate steps.
By the time I pushed open the heavy restroom door, she was already at the mirror, applying a thick, bold stroke of red lipstick.
Her reflection caught mine in the mirror. She paused for a fraction of a second before hissing loudly, unimpressed.
I glanced around the stalls, making sure we were alone. They were all empty.
Perfect.
Without hesitation, I reached behind me and locked the door with a sharp click.
Sabrina didn't even flinch.
"You lied to Dan,"
I spat, stepping closer. "Why the hell would you do something like that?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she continued applying her lipstick, carefully blotting the edges with her pinky finger.
Like I wasn't even worth her attention.
Anger coiled in my stomach like a snake ready to strike.
"You know he'd never pick you, right? So you had to try to get me expelled?" My voice was cold, slicing through the silence.
Sabrina scoffed, rolling her eyes as if I were nothing more than a nuisance.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She smirked, wiping away a tiny smudge where the lipstick had overstepped its boundaries.
She was so calm.
So annoyingly, infuriatingly calm.
I stepped forward, my voice sharper now. "You're just a cover-up. You have no real value in his life."
That got her attention.
Sabrina finally set down her lipstick and turned to face me fully, her expression darkening.
Then she smirked.
A slow, wicked smirk that sent a chill down my spine.
"No wonder Dan wants nothing to do with you." Her tone was dripping with disgust.
The words hit like a slap to the face, but I didn't let it show.
Instead, I shoved her.
Hard.
She stumbled back against the sink, gripping the counter for balance.
My pulse roared in my ears. I raised my hand, ready to smack that smug look off her face.
But she was faster.
She caught my wrist midair, gripping it tightly.
Shock shot through me.
Where the hell had this strength come from?
The last time we had clashed, she had crumbled so easily.
Not this time.
This time, her nails dug into my skin, and before I could react, she shoved me back.
I staggered, nearly losing my footing.
Sabrina took a slow, menacing step forward, pointing a manicured finger at me.
"Don't ever underestimate me again," she warned.
And then, before I could even blink,
SLAP!
A sharp, stinging pain exploded across my cheek.
My head snapped to the side from the impact.
I gasped, gripping my face, my skin burning where she had struck me.
Helpless.
Completely helpless.
Sabrina studied me with something that almost looked like pity.
"You're so naive," she murmured, shaking her head. "So gullible."
Then, with a final glance in the mirror, she adjusted her lipstick, tossed her hair over her shoulder, and sauntered out of the restroom—like she had already won.
I stood there, frozen, my cheek throbbing, my pride shattered.
Had she let me win the first time?
Had she planned this?
A bitter realization settled in my gut.