Chapter 4

A month passed, and the results of the exam were out. Both Ryan and Sophie had improved their grades.

But more and more people were talking behind my back, and the way they looked at me was getting nastier by the day.

I was hiding in a stall in the girls' bathroom, listening to them rant.

"It's been a month, and she's in every single one of Sophie's couple photos. She's always right next to Ryan, practically shoving herself in just to get close to his hand."

"Doesn't she realize she's just a third wheel?"

"She always looks so cold, acting all high and mighty like she's some kind of princess. But in reality, she's just a hopeless simp trailing after Ryan."

"Sophie, aren't you pissed off about this?" one of the girls snarked.

Sophie just let out a small laugh. "Why should I be mad? They've been best friends since forever."

Another girl rolled her eyes. "Please. If it wasn't for the way Ryan looks at you like he can't tear his eyes away, I'd almost believe they're that close."

"You act like this is all just a game, but I swear Ryan's totally serious about you. Bet he's in love and doesn't even know it himself."

"Emily's just a homewrecker. She knows exactly what she's doing. Such a bitch."

I swung open the stall door and walked out, not even sparing them a glance as I made for the sink. The second I showed up, all that Sophie drama came to an awkward halt.

Later, during gym class, I was chilling on the bleachers, watching the guys play basketball.

Nobody dared sit anywhere near me, but then Sophie walked over with an ice-cold drink in her hand and plopped down right next to me.

After watching for a while, Sophie leaned in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Must be real nice having a guy like Ryan totally wrapped around your finger, huh?

"Seriously, he's got it all, money, looks. Everyone at school practically worships him. But out of everyone, he only ever cared about you.

"But now, he's all about me. Guess that must sting, doesn't it?"

I kept my tone cool and said, "No." Maybe I felt a bit of a letdown once, like I was suddenly on the outside looking in.

Back then, Ryan was devoted to me—always by my side, cheering me up, making jokes, bending over backwards just to see me smile. It was no wonder I got used to having him around.

But after he changed, my mood crashed from cloud nine straight down to the basement.

Sophie snorted, "Honestly, I can't stand that holier-than-thou attitude of yours.

"What are you trying to pull? I actually fought for this. I'm the one who made it happen. But you act like you're just tossing Ryan my way, like you're doing me a favor or something.

"You're so sure of yourself, huh? Like a guy with Ryan's background could only ever fall for you and nobody else."

It was unbelievable that my confidence set her off. I shot her a serious look. "That's not what I think. Stop acting like you know everything about me."

But Sophie didn't care. Without another word, she got up and walked off.

She never gave a damn about how I felt or bothered to listen to my side. I was just labeled as wrong. She treated my explanation like it was an admission of guilt.

I've got my limits too. If she didn't like me, that was her problem. I was not about to go out of my way just to please her.

I decided to treat Sophie like she was nobody, but it was like she couldn't help crashing back into my life all over again.

After class, I was heading down the stairs when I realized Sophie was trailing right behind me.

Out of nowhere, she blurted out, "Emily, I'm done with all these stupid games. Can we just be friends? Just... don't hate me, okay?"

All of a sudden, her hand slipped right under my shirt, going straight for my chest.

I let out a shocked cry, shoving her off me and smacking her hard across the face. "Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped.

She crashed into the railing and went tumbling down four or five steps.

Suddenly, a crowd burst out behind me. Ryan stood out in the middle of them, unmistakable.

He barreled down the stairs, shoving me out of the way to scoop Sophie up off the ground. He glared at me, and his eyes were full of rage. "You've gone too far this time."

Sophie was clinging to him, crying her eyes out. "I'm sorry..."

Ryan didn't even bother hiding his anger as he turned to me. "Apologize to her. Now."

I clenched my fists, refusing to back down against his anger. "She's the one who should be apologizing to me."

He snapped at me, "You're always going after her. I tried to drop this whole game just for you, and she agreed on the spot. She wants to be friends with you, but you just act so cold toward her."

A bunch of guys were standing around, watching the whole thing like it was some kind of show.

My face burned with embarrassment. I couldn't bring myself to say out loud that she'd grabbed my chest.

So, I did something stupid. I shot Ryan a quick text: [She just grabbed my chest.]

Ryan didn't hold back; he just blurted it out, "She grabbed your chest? Why not just say it right then?"

A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd behind us.

My face went from burning hot to dead numb in a split second, like all those emotions just vanished, leaving me empty.

The stares behind me were like needles, stabbing right through my skin. My throat clenched so tightly that I couldn't make a sound. The shame, the fury, and that feeling like I'd been stripped bare in front of everyone, hit me so hard. My mind just shut down.

The shame, the fury, and that feeling like I'd been stripped bare in front of everyone, hit me so hard. My mind just shut down.

Ryan shot me a harsh glare. "You always turn red when you're lying, Emily. Still trying to act innocent?" He ordered, voice cold and commanding. "Say sorry—right now.

"If you won't, I'll stick with Sophie. You choose."

My pride weighed more than anything else. I forced myself to keep my eyes wide open, even though they were blurred with unshed tears.

I walked right past Ryan, keeping my head held high as I made my way down the stairs.