After that scene in the cafeteria, more eyes were on me as I walked through the hallway. This was getting more annoying than it should be. That's exactly why I don't want to get involved with them—as Kendall, this always happens. I only had one class left, and still, everyone couldn't get over Vaughn stopping me, or the fact that he had so carelessly touched my hand. Like that's my fault?
"Isn't she that girl who grabbed Vaughn's hand?"
"Yeah, I heard she followed him to the library to make a move on him."
"Really? The nerve! I bet she thinks Vaughn will like her just because she's got the same grades."
"Yeah, right. Look at her—she's way too ugly for Vaughn."
"I hope she stops being so desperate and leaves him alone."
"She looks so pitiful. Hahaha."
That's what I heard for the rest of the day. I couldn't help but feel angry at Vaughn for putting me in the spotlight. The rumors were all false, and what made it worse was that even people who knew the truth weren't doing anything to shut them down. There were students at the cafeteria who saw Vaughn grab my hand. And the library staff? They knew he was the one who asked me to help him. I sighed. Ranting in my head wouldn't help, but it's all I could do.
As I glanced at the empty seat beside me, I found myself wishing I could skip class too. Zeke—my seatmate—wasn't one to attend regularly. He was always needed at headquarters for something important. And I'd noticed the twins weren't around as often either. Rumor had it they were busy practicing for the upcoming Battle of the Bands. Same with Arsyn, which explained why I hadn't talked with her in a while.
When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, I wasted no time. I packed my things and made a beeline for the door. Of course, fate had other plans.
A group of girls—clown troupe is more accurate—blocked the exit, glaring at me like I was something nasty on their designer heels.
"Hey, nerdy, where are you going?" asked one with thick, blood-red lipstick that looked like it was applied in the dark.
"I bet she's going to stalk Vaughn again and try to make a move on him," another chimed in, waving her neon-painted nails like they were weapons.
"Oh, poor little nerd thinks Vaughn will like her. What do you do to impress him? Divide him by zero?"
Cue the obnoxious laughter. First of all, that joke sucked. Second, they sucked. Geez.
"I-I don't like Vaughn. Please let me through," I said as calmly as I could. But one of them yanked my hair.
That hurt.
That was the last straw. I was about to fight back when I noticed a familiar figure in the window. A smirk crept onto my face, and I played the part of the helpless victim. Then—flash.
The clown troop turned, eyes wide, and all color drained from their faces as they saw the person holding the phone.
It was Lonia—stern, cute, and holding undeniable evidence.
"Now, what do you guys think the disciplinary board will say when they see students from a prestigious school like this bullying a helpless girl?" she said coldly.
"Miss Lonia! We're so sorry! Please, this won't happen again!" they cried, practically groveling. Lonia let them go with a warning, and they scattered like roaches.
Once they were gone, Lonia and I exchanged looks and burst into laughter.
"Geez, that was epic. Thanks, Lonia," I said, trying to recover from laughing too hard.
She smiled and helped me pick up my things. I brushed off my skirt, still catching my breath.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" I asked.
She hesitated, suddenly nervous. That was not a good sign.
"I was looking for you, actually. Can we talk in my office?"
I nodded. Perks of being student council president—Lonia had her own office.
When we arrived, she closed the door behind us. That worried look returned to her face.
"Lons, what is this about? Is it the twins again?"
"No, it's about you. The president wants you to be Ezekiel Melwin's personal tutor."
I blinked. My brain stopped functioning for a moment.
"Lonia, that's not a good joke."
She looked me dead in the eye. No hint of teasing. Not even a smirk.
I groaned. "Why can't Vaughn do it? Or you?"
"Vaughn's already busy tutoring other students. And I can't—I've got to handle preparations for Sports Day. Kends, I didn't want this either, but the president insisted. It has to be you."
She looked sincerely sorry. I knew Lonia well enough to trust that she'd done her best to get me out of this.
Another sigh. "I swear, my life has become some weird drama series."
Lonia chuckled, though she still looked concerned. I gave her a weak smile.
"It's okay. It's gonna be okay," I said, patting her head lightly.
I turned to leave. "We should avoid being seen together too often, though. People are already suspicious."
She nodded solemnly. "I know."
As I stepped out into the hallway again, I let out another long sigh. Being Kendall comes with way too many unwanted side quests.
I know things like this were inevitable… but seriously—couldn't it have waited a little longer?
I walked slowly, trying to calm my thoughts. So now I had to tutor Zeke of all people? The quiet guy who always wore that blank expression and rarely showed up to class? The same one who sometimes looked like he could read your entire life story just by glancing at you? Great. Just great.
And knowing the universe's sense of humor, this arrangement was bound to go sideways.
Still, maybe this could be a chance… a chance to prove I wasn't just some "nerdy girl" chasing top grades. A chance to break out of the spotlight for the wrong reasons—and maybe, just maybe, take control of my own narrative for once.
Yeah… that's the hope anyway.
With one final deep breath, I tightened my grip on my bag and headed down the hall, already anticipating the chaos to come.