ir'

attering, conversations overlapping, laughter bouncing of

like a shield. Grilled cheese. Apple slices.

tly forgotten by the crowd. It was mine, not because anyo

rated laughter the bullies' table. Loud. Entitled. So full of

sing her perfect smile like confetti. The others circ

low. Invisible. Jus

la

fr

seemed to brea

e. Fro

ack in his chair, tray in front of him, eye

id, like it was the most

Thought I h

move. N

ld hear the hum of the vend

Her lips curled like she'd j

ad quickly. "

udly. I'd just pretend it hadn't hap

ough the air like a glass breaking on tile.

harder than i

se

even su

still

e cafeteria altogether. I didn't even care about the

's voice rose. N

he said. But Zalia w

id every

of them like heat on my back.

t stop

hest tight, and leaned a

he don

ed me over in f

a joke?

e actually

o

sn't going to fall for wha

lent. The way Zalia had shut up after wha

ow what he'

ling this wasn'