Her voice was sharp enough to make a few other students glance our way.
But for the first time… I didn't flinch.
Instead, I looked her dead in the eye.
"Yeah," I said. "I am back. And I have something to say."
Her smirk faltered — just for a second.
"Jessi," I continued, turning to my best friend, "I don't care if you believe me or not. But I need you to hear me. I never talked behind your back. I never wanted to hurt you. All I ever did was try to be your friend. And if you can't see what she's been doing… then maybe you never really knew me at all."
The hallway was quiet now.
Aisha scoffed. "Wow. Dramatic much?"