Chapter 3 Chapter Three

“Nice books, pretty.”

The word pretty doesn’t sound like a compliment. It sounds like a joke he’s not done telling yet. His friends burst out laughing again.

“Yeah, real nice,” one of them adds. “What is that? ‘How to Be Weird 101’?”

My heart is pounding so hard now I’m sure they can hear it.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I force myself to look down, fumbling with my locker key. My hands are shaking. I miss the keyhole twice.

Nathan watches for a second longer, then sniffs like he’s bored again.

“Let’s go,” he says to his friends.

And just like that, they’re gone still laughing as they walk down the hall. The noise fades but the feeling doesn’t.

I finally get the locker open and quickly shove my books inside, then grab what I need without even really seeing it.

My chest still feels tight. My ears are still ringing. I let out a shaky breath. Why does this always happen?

I press my locker shut and rest my forehead against the cool metal for a second.

“I’m fine,” I whisper to myself.

I’m not but I straighten up anyway, adjust my grip on my books, and start walking. Because what else am I supposed to do? It’s just another normal day at Evermont High.

I walk into class, already tired. Like emotionally tired. I just want one normal day. I get to my desk and stop.

Of course this is happening. My desk is covered in black marker.

WEIRDO

FREAK

GO READ A BOOK AND CRY

LONER

I stare at it. For a second, I don’t react. I just blink slowly.

“Wow,” I mutter under my breath. “Creative.”

I don’t even need to guess who did it. I glance to the side. There she is.

Iris.

She's sitting like she owns the entire classroom, her legs crossed, and her long hair perfect as she smiles sharply. Her friends are already whispering and giggling like this is the best thing that’s happened all day.

Queen bee behavior.

I roll my eyes. Not big nor dramatic. Just enough. Then I pull out my chair and sit down like my desk isn’t screaming insults at me.

Because honestly?

If I react, they win. And I’m too tired to let them win today. The bell rings right on time, like it’s saving me.The teacher walks in, dropping her books on the table.

“Good morning, class.”

Everyone settles down.I keep my eyes on my notebook, pretending I don’t feel the stares. Pretending the words on my desk aren’t burning into my brain. Pretending I don’t care.

The lesson starts. Something about literature. Irony, maybe. Funny. Because this? This is definitely ironic. I love words. Just not when they’re written about me like this.

I try to focus. I write notes, nod when the teacher looks my way, act like everything is fine. But I can feel the quiet laugh and glances.They’re waiting for me to break.

The bell rings again. Class is over. I start packing my books quickly, ready to escape but then a shadow falls over my desk.

I don’t even need to look up.

“Iris,” I say flatly.

She clicks her tongue. “Wow. She knows my name. I’m honored.”

Her friends snicker behind her.

I zip my bag. “Move.”

“Ohhh,” she drags out, leaning slightly over my desk. “Attitude.”

I finally look up at her. Big mistake. Her smile widens.

“Who were you rolling your eyes at?” she asks sweetly.

The class goes quiet. Then someone laughs and another joins. Suddenly it spreads like fire. I grip my bag tighter.

“Not everything is about you,” I say calmly.

Wrong move. Her expression drops just a little. She's not hurt or annoyed.

“Hmm,” she hums. “I think it is.”

I can feel my heart starting again. Thump. Thump. Thump. But I don’t look away. She leans closer, her voice dropping just enough.

“You really think you’re better than everyone, don’t you?”

I blink. “What?”

She straightens, louder now so everyone can hear.

“Rolling your eyes like you’re too smart for this class.”

Her friends nod dramatically.

“Yeah, Freya,” one of them adds. “You think you’re special or something?”

I shake my head slightly. “I didn’t say anything.”

“But you did,” Iris snaps lightly, tapping her temple. “Up here. We can see it.”

God. This is exhausting. I sigh and that makes the class go wild.

“OHHHH! she sighed!” someone yells.

Iris’s eyes narrow. “Wow. You’re really testing me today.”

I stand up slowly, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “I’m just trying to go to my next class.”

I'm still calm, not giving her what she wants. Her jaw tightens. For a second, I think she’s going to push it further.

Then she smiles again. It's a fake, sweet smile.

“Run along, weirdo.”

I don’t wait for her to say anything else. I bend down quickly, shoving my books into my backpack so fast that my hands start shaking again.

“Careful,” someone mutters behind me. “She might cry.”

There's laughter. I ignore it. I just need to leave. I zip my bag halfway and swing it over my shoulder and that’s when it happens.

One book slips out and hits the floor with a soft thud. No. No no no. I know that book. I freeze but it’s too late.

Iris is faster. She bends down gracefully, picking it up before I can even move. She turns it over, reading the cover out loud.

“The Man of My Dreams.”

There's silence. Then, the class explodes.

“Oh my God”

“No way”

“She reads THAT?”

I feel my face burn instantly.

“Give it back,” I say quickly, stepping forward.

Big mistake. Iris holds it up higher, just out of my reach. Her lips curl into a wicked smile. She's enjoying this.

“Aww,” she coos. “Even the class captain has a man of her dreams.”

The laughter grows louder.

“Such a weirdo,” one of her friends adds.

I stop moving. My chest feels tight. I hate this. I hate this so much. Iris flips the book dramatically, like she’s about to read it out loud.

“Should I read a page?” she teases. “Maybe we’ll find out her type…”

“Stop,” I say.

My voice is quiet. She looks at me. And for a second, I think she might actually stop but she doesn’t. Instead, she tosses the book. It hits my chest and falls to the floor again.

“Here,” she says casually. “Go dream about him or something.”

The laughter comes again.

I don’t move. I don’t speak. I just stare at the book on the floor. My throat tightens but I swallow it down. I won’t cry here. Not in front of them. I bend down slowly, pick it up, and shove it back into my bag without a word.

The room is still buzzing. They're still laughing and watching me. Then suddenly, the door bursts open. Everyone turns. Miriam, a slender girl stands there, slightly out of breath.

“You guys… ” she pants. “There’s a new hot guy in school!.”