Chapter 35
Thursday morning arrived, gray and heavy, as if the sky itself knew the tension brewing inside Liana's chest. Brianna hadn't caused a scene in the hallways the past two days, but that silence felt deliberate, a calm before the next storm. Liana sensed it deep down—a bold move was coming, one that would test not just her courage, but her patience, composure, and trust in Aiden.
Aiden fell into step beside her, his presence steadying her nerves. "You feel it too, don't you?" he asked softly, gray eyes searching hers.
"I do," Liana admitted, exhaling slowly. "I can't tell if it's fear or anticipation, but… something's coming."
"Whatever it is, we face it together," Aiden said firmly. "You're not alone in this."
Liana felt warmth in her chest, but anxiety lingered. Over the past weeks, she had faced Brianna's whispers, pranks, and public challenges. Yet this time, she had a feeling the interference would be direct and deliberate, impossible to ignore.
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By second period, the tension had grown. Liana noticed Brianna lingering at the edge of the classroom, smirking subtly but with sharp calculation in her eyes. She wasn't planning a small disruption today—she wanted to dominate the moment entirely, to force Liana into reacting publicly.
The teacher's attention was elsewhere, giving Brianna exactly the opportunity she wanted. As the class transitioned between lessons, Brianna approached Liana's desk, deliberately dropping her books in a noisy clatter. The entire room turned toward them.
"Clumsy, aren't we?" Brianna said loudly, smirk curling at the corners of her mouth. "Or is someone nervous?"
Liana's stomach twisted. Normally, she would have met Brianna's provocation with a composed smile, but today her heart beat rapidly, and her palms tingled with tension. Before she could respond, Aiden leaned slightly toward her, whispering just enough for her to hear, "Breathe. You've handled this before. You can handle it again."
Drawing a deep breath, Liana straightened her posture. She met Brianna's gaze with calm eyes, refusing to let the teasing win. "It's fine," she said softly but firmly. "Accidents happen."
Brianna's smirk faltered slightly, frustration flickering across her face. The entire class seemed to sense the shift in control. Students who had previously whispered and watched now exchanged small nods and glances of support for Liana.
Aiden's hand brushed hers under the desk, grounding her. "See?" he whispered. "You're stronger than she thinks."
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Lunch felt heavier than usual. Liana and Aiden sat at their corner table, the usual juice bottles and snacks in place. But the energy around them had shifted—the whispers of students, subtle glances from strangers, and Brianna's lurking presence made it impossible to relax fully.
"Why does she always have to make it about her?" Liana murmured, voice low but tinged with frustration.
"Because she's trying to provoke you," Aiden replied. "But notice this: every time she does, you handle it better. You're not reacting out of fear or anger—you're reacting with composure, courage, and control. That's power."
Liana let the words settle, realizing the truth in them. Every attempt Brianna made to disrupt her confidence had only sharpened her sense of self, and Aiden's support amplified it.
Across the cafeteria, Brianna finally backed away, clearly realizing her usual tactics weren't enough. Liana felt a rush of quiet triumph. She had survived another escalation, stronger than before, and more connected than ever with the one person who had never let her falter.
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The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Liana exhaled slowly. Walking toward their next class with Aiden, hand brushing against his, she felt a deep sense of empowerment. Brianna's interference would continue, but Liana knew one truth clearly now: courage and trust were far stronger than intimidation. And with Aiden by her side, she felt unstoppable.
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