The cafeteria was louder than usual, a sea of whispers and darting eyes. Every table seemed filled with laughter that wasn't innocent—it was sharp, cutting, aimed directly at Ethan.
Liora carried her tray, her steps uncertain. Ethan walked beside her, his expression unreadable. He hadn't said much since morning, and it gnawed at her.
"You don't have to sit with me," Ethan muttered under his breath. "You'll just end up in their crossfire."
Liora stopped in her tracks, glaring at him. "Are you serious? You think I'd just abandon you because of gossip?"
He looked at her then, really looked, like he was trying to figure out if she meant it. Whatever he saw in her eyes must have answered him, because the tension in his jaw eased slightly.
"Alright," he said softly. "Then let's give them something to talk about."
Before she could ask what he meant, Ethan strode forward to an empty table in the center of the room. Not tucked in a corner, not hidden. Right in the middle, where everyone could see.
Liora's heart pounded, but she followed, sitting across from him. The silence that fell around them was immediate and heavy. Dozens of eyes turned their way, curiosity and malice mingling.
Ethan didn't flinch. He opened his soda can with a loud crack, leaned back, and started eating like nothing was wrong.
Liora bit back a smile. He's daring them to look away first.
Slowly, she picked up her fork and joined him, her movements steady despite the heat of stares burning into her skin.
It didn't take long. Whispers rose around the cafeteria, but this time, some of them sounded… different. Less certain. A few students exchanged nervous glances, as if questioning the rumors they'd believed so easily.
Courage swelled in Liora's chest. She leaned forward, lowering her voice but letting it carry just enough. "You know, Ethan, I've never met anyone who works harder than you. If anyone deserves to be here, it's you."
A ripple of silence followed her words. Heads turned. People were listening.
Ethan raised a brow at her, his lips twitching into the faintest smirk. "Careful, Liora. You're making me sound like a saint."
She smiled despite herself. "Maybe you are."
A few students nearby shifted uncomfortably. The tide was turning—not completely, but enough to plant doubt. Enough to weaken Adrian's poison.
When the bell rang and the crowd dispersed, Ethan stood and offered her his hand. She hesitated only a moment before taking it, letting him pull her up.
"You didn't have to do that," he said once they were outside. His voice was quiet now, almost vulnerable.
"Yes, I did," she replied firmly. "Because you're the only one who's ever stood up for me. Why wouldn't I do the same for you?"
For the first time all day, Ethan's smile was genuine. "Then I guess we're even."
Liora's chest tightened—not with fear, but with something warm, something dangerous. She didn't know where this bond would lead, but for the first time, she wasn't afraid of the path.
Somewhere across campus, a pair of dark eyes watched them from the shadows.
Adrian's hands were shoved deep in his pockets, his jaw set like stone. The sight of them together, united, made that unfamiliar jealousy twist harder.
He turned away before the urge to rip them apart consumed him.
The game wasn't over.
It had only just begun.