Amara couldn't focus for the rest of the class.
Every few minutes, someone's phone would light up with notifications from the post. Students kept whispering and glancing at her.
Some looked curious.
Others looked jealous.
Amara sighed and rested her forehead on her hand.
This is a disaster.
Behind her, Adrian sat quietly like none of it mattered.
When the final bell rang, students immediately began talking loudly again.
"Did you see the post?"
"They're already trending on the school page!"
"I bet Vanessa is furious."
Amara quickly packed her bag.
She needed air.
The moment she stepped into the hallway, the whispers followed again.
"Look, it's her."
"The prince's girl."
Amara stopped walking.
"I am not the prince's girl," she muttered under her breath.
Just then, someone grabbed her arm.
Amara turned around.
Vanessa.
Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were anything but friendly.
"Amara," she said softly.
Amara gently pulled her arm free.
"Yes?"
Vanessa leaned closer.
"You're enjoying the attention, aren't you?"
"I didn't ask for any of this."
Vanessa laughed quietly.
"Of course you didn't."
Her friends stood behind her, watching the scene like it was entertainment.
"You should be careful," Vanessa continued. "This school can be very cruel to people who don't know their place."
Amara met her gaze calmly.
"I know my place."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow.
"Do you?"
Before Amara could respond, a familiar voice spoke behind them.
"That's enough, Vanessa."
Everyone turned.
Adrian stood a few steps away, his expression calm but firm.
Vanessa immediately changed her expression.
"Adrian," she said sweetly. "We were just talking."
Adrian didn't look convinced.
"Leave."
Vanessa's smile faded.
For a moment, it looked like she wanted to argue.
But instead, she turned sharply and walked away with her cheerleaders.
The hallway slowly returned to normal.
Amara looked at Adrian.
"You don't have to keep doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Saving me."
Adrian studied her face for a moment.
Then he said something unexpected.
"Are you busy this weekend?"
Amara blinked.
"What?"
"This weekend," Adrian repeated calmly. "Are you busy?"
Amara frowned