"Tell me everything," Damian said, voice quieter now but no less sharp. He crossed his arms tight over his chest, bracing himself for whatever came next. If this was another one of Gregory's games, he would lose it. Completely.
Gregory exhaled slowly, running a hand through his messy hair. He looked smaller than usual, shoulders hunched like the weight of the whole school year was pressing down on him. "It's not Zayn, not really. Alex and Selene… they're the ones pushing his buttons. Hard. Selene's been into Zayn since forever. She sees you as the problem. The thing messing up his image, the rumors… they're doing damage control for his reputation. Make him look like the golden boy again. Dump the."
Damian's mouth went dry. Pieces clicked together too fast, Alex's cold look in the park, the way Selene had smirked when she shoved him, Zayn's guilty eyes during that hallway kiss. It wasn't Zayn choosing to erase him. It was everyone else choosing for him.
