I skip his lecture Wednesday.
Can't face sitting in that room knowing Liam and Madison are watching. Counting every second I look at Ethan. Logging every interaction to use against me like evidence in a trial I didn't know I was part of.
Riley notices when I stay in bed past my alarm. She's already showered, her hair still damp, and she lingers in the doorway with her backpack slung over one shoulder. "You sick?"
"Just need a mental health day."
"Avery." She sits on the edge of my bed. The mattress dips under her weight. "What's really going on?"
"Nothing."
"You've been weird since yesterday. After breakfast."
Because Madison's threat keeps replaying in my head on a loop. I'll make sure everyone knows what you're trying to do. I'll tell the dean. I'll tell his ex-wife. The words have a sickly quality, coating my thoughts like oil. They're poisonous and I can't flush them out.
"I'm fine," I say. "Just tired."
