"You're disturbing everyone—and let's be honest, the person suffering the most here is Rin," Ryen said firmly. "Pretty sure he didn't sign up for a front-row seat to your drama this morning."
Finally. Someone had the guts to say it.
The class went still. Kiera gave a lazy shrug, still lounging like she owned the place. Her ex-friend muttered something under her breath, clearly still seething. As for me? I just sat there, numb and exhausted, wondering why I hadn't just skipped school altogether.
Then the ex-friend broke the silence again.
"Ryen, you know exactly what kind of stunt this girl pulled on Rin. I'm just trying to protect him from whatever scheme she's cooking up now."
Ryen's expression darkened. He turned to Kiera, who, for once, wasn't smiling. She looked down, as if the floor was more interesting than all the eyes on her.
Just when the tension started to settle, Kiera raised her head again—and that smug little smile was back like it had never left.
