ASHER
The cafeteria buzzed with tension the next day. I could feel it the moment I walked in, the way conversations stopped, the way eyes tracked my movement, the weight of collective judgment pressing down on me from all sides.
News traveled fast at Stone Claw Academy, and apparently, everyone had heard about Reed cornering me in that empty classroom.
I grabbed a tray and moved through the lunch line, acutely aware of the whispers following me.
"—heard Reed had him pinned against the wall—"
"—totally going to destroy him—"
"—shouldn't have challenged Jackson in the first place—"
I kept my expression neutral, my movements calm and controlled, even as my heart raced. The last thing I needed was to show weakness. Not here, and not now.
Scott waved at me from a table near the windows. I headed toward him, grateful for at least one friendly face.
"Hey," he said as I sat down. His eyes were concerned. "You okay? You look like you didn't sleep."
