Tessa's pov
Luckily, English class passed like a blur. The whole time, I could barely focus on what the teacher was saying because all I wanted was to escape before the Doras could create another scene. Sitting beside Adrian had already been enough to stir their anger, and I wasn't about to give them more reason to lash out. Avery and Charlotte had left earlier with their boyfriends, so I was on my own. Since we weren't having the next class together—me being a science-based student and them in the arts—I had no choice but to face the hallway alone.
I gathered my things quickly and rushed out, determined to head to the library for a quick study session before my next class. My mind was completely buried in my timetable as I tried to figure out what subject came next. I was so absorbed that I didn't notice where I was walking until I bumped into something solid. Or rather, someone.
The impact made me stumble, but before I even looked up, a familiar fragrance reached me. That unique scent—I could recognize it anywhere. My stomach twisted, and my heart skipped because I knew exactly who it belonged to.
Before I could lift my gaze, the person spoke.
"Sorry, my bad," the voice said casually.
That voice. I froze instantly. Now I was sure.
Holy macaroni. Adrian Hardin. I had literally bumped into Adrian.
For a second, I didn't dare look up, but my nervousness betrayed me. Against my better judgment, I raised my head, cheeks already heating.
"I'm so sorry," I blurted, my voice shaky. "I wasn't watching where I was going. I was so caught up in what I was doing." My belly fluttered with uncontrollable butterflies, making it harder to sound composed.
"Uhm, thank you very much for the other day," I added quickly, fumbling to open my bag. My fingers brushed over the fabric I had been keeping—his jacket, the one he had given me on the night of the party. I pulled it out carefully, holding it like something precious, and handed it to him while trying to hide my flushed face.
He didn't take it. Instead, he smirked faintly. "It's nothing. You can keep it. I only did what anyone should do when they see a damsel in distress." His tone was smooth, his wink deliberate, and just like that, he walked away.
I stood frozen in place, my brain short-circuiting. OMG… did he just wink at me? I asked myself, hardly able to breathe.
I was still processing the moment when the last thing I wanted happened—the Doras appeared, blocking my path like predators closing in on their prey. My heart sank. This was exactly what I had been trying to avoid.
"What do you guys want?" I asked sharply, glaring at them, my voice firmer than I felt.
"Nothing," Piper sneered as she stepped forward. "We just want to crush your bones and feed them to our dogs. Did you really think we'd back out just because your burnt ass got rescued by my Adrian?" Her words dripped with venom as she moved closer.
I took a deep breath, summoning the courage I barely had. "You guys better find your way out of here. I'm done dealing with you." My tone was cold, though my pulse pounded in my ears.
"Dealing with us?" Piper mocked, laughing bitterly. "You should have seen your broken nose job on the party night."
Before I could reply, a sharp voice cut through the tension.
"And who do you think you are to pick on her?"
Relief washed over me the moment I recognized Avery's voice. She stood firmly in the hallway glaring at the Doras.
Molly scoffed, tossing her hair. "You know, for someone like you, Avery, you're so pathetic—hanging around a nerd like this thing here. Why don't you ditch her and come to me?"
Avery's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And if I don't? Now move your small, unattractive, pancake-covered face and get out of here." Her voice was sharp as a blade.
Piper bristled, her hand lifting as if she was about to slap Avery. But before she could, I reacted. My hand flew across her face with a hot, stinging slap that echoed down the hallway. She stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock.
"The fact that I don't fight back doesn't mean I don't know when to," I snapped, my voice trembling with anger but steady enough to silence her for a moment.
"I can't believe you slapped me!" Piper shrieked, her face blazing red. She lunged forward as if to retaliate, but before she could, Adrian appeared.
"Adrian, babe, she slapped me!" Piper cried, her voice suddenly sweet and desperate.
But Adrian's expression was pure disgust. "Everyone saw what happened here, Piper. You started it. Now get lost before I help you with it." His words cut like ice.
The hallway fell silent. Piper's face darkened, her eyes bloodshot with rage. She glared at me, promising revenge without saying it aloud, then snapped, "Let's go, girls." With that, the Doras stormed off.
The tension finally eased, and I exhaled the breath I had been holding.
Charlotte came running down the hall, her face flushed with worry. "Avery, Tess—are you guys okay? I heard there was a fight down the hall!" She rushed to us, giving us both a quick once-over before sighing in relief. "I'm glad you're fine."
She guided us into an empty classroom to catch our breath and pressed for details. We told her everything, and she apologized repeatedly for not being there earlier.
The bell rang soon after, cutting our conversation short. We headed to our different departments for the next class. Avery and Charlotte were both in the art department—Charlotte wanted to be a fashion designer, while Avery had dreams of becoming a model. That explained why her wardrobe was always bursting with trendy clothes, fancy bags, expensive shoes, and sparkling jewelry.