Chapter 27
Monday morning arrived with a weight that Liana could feel immediately. The cafeteria incident from Friday had left echoes in the hallways. Brianna's smirk was sharper than ever, and whispers followed Liana as she walked to her locker. The tension pressed against her chest, but she had learned over the past weeks how to steady herself—how to hold her ground even when fear threatened to overwhelm her.
As she adjusted her backpack, she noticed Aiden approaching, his gray eyes calm yet alert. "Morning," he said softly, sliding alongside her.
"Morning," Liana replied, trying to sound steady, though her heart was still a little jumpy.
"You okay?" Aiden asked quietly, sensing the lingering unease.
"I… I think so," Liana said. "It's just… Brianna. She's everywhere."
He offered a reassuring smile, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Ignore her. Whatever she's planning, we'll face it together."
Liana's chest warmed at his words. Every small act of support strengthened her courage. With him by her side, Brianna's intimidation felt more like noise than threat.
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Second period came and went in a blur. Liana tried to focus on her lessons, but her mind kept drifting to the way Brianna's glare had lingered on her over lunch. The whispers, the calculated smirks, the subtle pushes—Brianna's interference was no longer just small confrontations. Liana could feel it building toward something bigger.
A soft tap on her shoulder brought her attention back. Aiden leaned slightly over her desk.
"You're handling this well," he whispered. "But… if anything happens today, just remember—we've got each other."
Liana felt a thrill of reassurance. He didn't just mean physical protection; he meant emotional support, trust, and loyalty. And that bond—quiet, steady, unshakable—was something she had begun to rely on.
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Lunch was the usual chaos, but today's tension felt thicker, more deliberate. Liana spotted Aiden at their corner table, holding their usual juice bottles and snacks. Relief flooded her briefly, until she noticed Brianna approaching, her smirk sharp, and her gaze locked on Liana with an intensity that sent a jolt through her chest.
"Mind if I join?" Brianna asked, her voice silky yet pointed.
Liana felt her stomach tighten but refused to show it. "No, you don't need to," she said firmly.
Brianna leaned closer, smirk curling her lips. "I just want to see how comfortable you really are. Don't think I haven't noticed."
Aiden's hand brushed lightly against Liana's, grounding her. "She doesn't get to decide that," he said quietly, tone leaving no room for argument.
Liana felt courage rise within her. "We're just talking," she said calmly, smiling at Aiden. "Nothing more."
Brianna's smirk faltered, though a flicker of irritation flashed in her eyes. She hesitated for a beat before stepping back and retreating, muttering something under her breath that Liana didn't catch.
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As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Liana exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She had faced Brianna again, and this time, the confrontation had ended in their favor—not through intimidation, but through calm confidence and support.
Walking with Aiden toward their next class, Liana realized something thrilling. Brianna's interference, though persistent and exhausting, had also strengthened her. She had learned to stand firm, to trust her instincts, and to rely on the bond she shared with Aiden.
The space between them was more than physical—it had become a sanctuary where trust, courage, and connection thrived, untouched by Brianna's attempts to destabilize them. And for the first time in a long time, Liana felt truly unstoppable.
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