The whispers followed her down the hallway again.Same stares. Same half-hidden smirks.
But this time, Liora didn't lower her eyes.
She'd spent the last week trying to survive, trying not to break every time someone repeated one of the lies Adrian's friends had spread. But something inside her had shifted.Fear was turning into anger.And anger — into fire.
"Hey, that's her," someone snickered near the lockers. "The girl who begged Ethan to—"
Liora turned sharply, eyes blazing. "Finish that sentence," she said coldly, "and I'll make sure everyone knows who actually posted those fake screenshots."
The boy froze, stuttering, "I–I didn't mean—"
"Then shut up," she snapped, and walked away.
Her hands trembled, but she didn't care. For the first time since this nightmare began, she felt in control.
When she entered the classroom, Adrian was already there — lounging in his seat, phone in hand, pretending not to see her. His friends laughed around him, but she noticed the quick flicker in his gaze when she walked in.
She ignored him.
The professor began the lecture, talking about group projects. "You'll be working in pairs," he announced, scanning the class list. "Liora and—"
Her stomach sank.
"Adrian."
A low murmur spread through the room. Adrian looked up, one eyebrow raised, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Looks like you'll finally get to work with someone competent," he drawled.
Liora smiled sweetly. "Don't worry," she said, loud enough for the whole class to hear. "I'll make sure you actually do some work for once."
The class burst into laughter. Adrian's smirk faltered.
For a second, she saw it — the flash of surprise in his eyes. Like he wasn't used to anyone daring to throw his words back at him.
The rest of the lecture passed in heavy silence. He didn't look at her again, but she could feel the tension between them, thick and sharp like a storm waiting to break.
When class ended, Adrian stood up first, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Cute," he said quietly as she passed him. "But you'll regret trying to play my game."
Liora tilted her chin up. "Then maybe you shouldn't have started it."
She walked away before he could answer.
Outside, the autumn air felt cooler, cleaner — like she could finally breathe again. Ethan was waiting near the gate, worry flickering across his face when he saw her.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
"Better than okay," she said, her lips curving. "I finally said what I should've said a long time ago."
He smiled, but his eyes were wary. "Be careful, Liora. Guys like Adrian… they don't take losing well."
"I'm not trying to win," she said. "I'm just done letting him think he can walk over me."
Ethan chuckled quietly. "That's my girl."
Liora smiled — but even as they walked away, she could feel it.Someone's eyes on her. Watching. Following.
She didn't have to turn to know who it was.Adrian stood by the classroom window, jaw tight, expression unreadable.
She'd finally hit a nerve.And deep down, she knew — this was only the beginning.