's

had he

ng. Every time it stayed silent, I felt

tomorrow. Or leave it at the front desk.

o any of t

emed to know something had shifted. People

k to Ava. They were talking about the fact that Ava hadn't

oticed

ft our last class. "Ava doesn't let things go

d that

ea

sed, but I also couldn't forget the way she

t it again, that sudden drop in the air, the way

ath, arms crossed, waiting. Nina stood a few st

the wall the mo

somethin

s wondering when

her hand. "

. "You could

what? Sticking your nose

didn't completely f

ade a quiet sound like she was enjoy

the pho

nic

as a m

nd reached for my pocket. I twisted away on insti

were struggling, it

o" Ava

ve

rip and shoved me back a step. My shoulder blade

t step back. She stayed right there, one hand fisted in the fron

e too

ld see the anger in her blue eyes up clo

h beautiful eyes be so cr

ouch me," I said, v

et to keep w

oved. Instead she leaned in harder, pi

contact sent a jolt straight through

f," I s

ecture me again? Tell me I'm a bully? You

people like they

can't mind you

rder now. Her hand was st

roat loudly. "Ava.

her grip and

ontact left me colde

n't argue. I pulled the phone from my pocket and drop

wn at it, the

she said quietly. "And it doe

sked you t

er long moment. "Stay away

adl

n a low voice. I stayed against the wall until they disappeared, my heart stil

ted

me like she was already two steps ahead. And I hate