ra's

nding in my chest like a drumbeat. The screech of tires filled my ears, swallowing e

othing h

ight. Just the distant hum of

s from being flattened. My breath came in shallow gasps, and my fingers curled into fists again

me to my feet like I weighed nothing. I gasped, eyes snapping open in s

sharp jawline, and even with his expression twisted into irritation, there was no denying he was ridiculously good-looking. But it wasn'

ooth, but edged with a threat that made my skin crawl. His h

s car as if I wasn't worth another second of his time. The sleek black vehicle-expensi

and into the school's designated lot-his lot. Because, of course

mmering in my chest, st

with. And not just him. Where there was Caleb, the others weren't far behind.

ike that. Should've been paying attention. B

trembling slightly. I needed to pull myself together. Freaking out over Caleb wasn

to do anything. All they had to do was walk into a room, and suddenly, the temperature dropped. Conversations stopped, eyes darted away, and everyone instinctively took a step back. It wasn't just fea

y, always with that knowing smile that made you feel like she could ruin you without breaking a sweat. Jade was the quiet one, but when he spoke, everyone listened. And then there was Caleb,

. No, they were the kind of people who made you feel small, insignificant like you didn't even belong in the same space as them. People looked at them like they were gods, or kings, o

d find all your secrets. He was undeniably attractive. The kind of handsome that wasn't just about the sharp jawline or the messy black hair-it was about how he carried himself, yet at th

han I should have. Way more. I tried not to-tried not to le

dn't matt

nest, they made a perfect match. Caroline was beautiful and popular, the kind of girl who could light up any room. She and Caleb were the ultim

eone like me. He barely acknowledged my existence, except to shove me out

inconvenience. As if my mere presence irritated him. Maybe I was just imagining it, but every t

day, like every other. Every day was a cycle of avoiding trouble, staying out of the way, and trying to blend in.