Chapter 22
Monday arrived with an uneasy stillness that Liana could feel the moment she stepped into school. Over the weekend, she and Aiden had shared quiet moments walking through the park, laughing and talking, but the lingering thought of Brianna made her pulse tighten. Brianna had been watching, scheming, and Liana knew it was only a matter of time before she escalated her interference.
The hallways were crowded with students, but Liana felt every movement through a lens of alertness. She spotted Brianna near the lockers, smirk firmly in place, arms crossed. It wasn't subtle anymore—it was deliberate.
"Morning, shadow girl," Brianna said, her voice smooth but loaded with challenge. "I hope you're ready to keep up with… expectations."
Liana squared her shoulders, keeping her voice calm. "Morning. I've got this."
Brianna arched a brow, smirk widening, and then turned away, leaving Liana to draw a shaky but steady breath. The confidence she had been building over the past weeks made her feel capable, yet the tension lingered like a low hum in the back of her mind.
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Second period dragged, and Liana found her focus tested by Brianna's constant presence in her peripheral vision. She tried to concentrate on the lesson, but her thoughts kept drifting to Aiden. How he had supported her through small confrontations, how his quiet smiles had grounded her—how he had made her feel seen in ways no one else ever had.
A gentle tap on her shoulder drew her attention. Aiden leaned over, gray eyes warm and attentive.
"You okay?" he whispered.
"I… I think so," Liana replied, forcing a calm smile. "It's just… school tension."
He nodded, a reassuring presence beside her. "Ignore her. She can try, but she won't change who you are. You're stronger than she realizes, Liana."
Liana's chest swelled with a quiet pride. She was learning that strength wasn't just about standing up to Brianna—it was about trusting herself and trusting the people who truly cared about her.
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Lunch was a careful dance of strategy and courage. Liana approached their corner table, where Aiden waited with the usual two juice bottles and a small snack bag.
"For you," he said softly, handing her the bottle.
"Thanks," Liana murmured, letting the warmth of his attention wash over her.
Across the cafeteria, Brianna's glare lingered, sharper than ever. Liana could feel it pricking at the edges of her confidence, but she forced herself to focus on the small, comforting bubble she shared with Aiden.
"You know," he said, leaning closer so only she could hear, "whatever happens, we face it together. I mean it."
Liana's heart fluttered. "I… I believe you," she whispered, letting herself trust him fully for the first time in weeks.
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After lunch, they walked through the quiet streets behind the school, shoulders brushing lightly, each step strengthening the bond forming between them.
"You make me feel… seen," Aiden whispered, glancing at her. "And that's something I've never felt before. I don't want to lose this."
Liana's chest warmed, and she let herself lean slightly toward him. "I feel the same," she admitted softly.
But even in this moment, Liana couldn't ignore a shadow of doubt. Brianna's interference was growing, and the feeling of being tested was undeniable. Yet for the first time, Liana felt ready—not because she had no fear, but because she knew she didn't have to face it alone.
The space between them had transformed from a simple distance into a sanctuary—a fragile, quiet place where trust, courage, and something new and thrilling could grow. Liana realized that challenges would come, but with Aiden by her side, she could face them with confidence and heart.
And as the late afternoon sun bathed the streets in gold, Liana understood something profoundly freeing: she was no longer invisible. She was seen, she was strong, and she was ready for whatever came next.
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