ling me?" Brianna asked, narrowing her eyes.

e desk and clasping her hands together. "Wel

before she could finish. "It's not like I'll need permissio

walked out of the office, ignorin

**

ne sitting in his seat, clearly waiting fo

him to sit which he did. She pulled out a small goodie bag and offered it to

erday," she murmured, biting her lip nervously as she continued to extend the b

hadn't seen them before, too focused on the gift. She instinctively reached out

She nodded, giving him a small smile des

e between them before sh

king Tristan look up at h

ay for me to bring in questions I don't

oftly, closing his eyes for a moment before reopening them. "But... you can bring them. I'll spare

d, her excitement clear. H

s she stood up, waved, and left the class,

but he didn't bother to reply or even acknowl

about your life agai

ly, pulling a textbook from his backpack and placing it on his desk.

eft? Is she..." Faustino trailed o

aid, attempting to plug in his ea

your deal with Aiden, the junior student?" he asked, causing Tr

bout it," Faustino added, but Tristan ignored him, drowning out th

onsidered himself Tristan's only friend because Tristan rarely got along with others. Tristan disliked havin

*

he rest of his friends who had taken care of him. After

d placing it in front of Aiden. Aiden, who had been staring

. Aiden's expression hardened as he

Jefferson suddenly asked, sitting bes

mom?" Colby, seated in front of Aiden, turned to fac

aughter. Aiden shot them a serious look, and they immediately stopped.

.." Sam began, but

ed glances. Was he really serious? Curiosity gnawed at them-they wanted to know wha

longer, a lecturer walked into the

*

aptop while quietly eating his sandwich. Soon, a voi

d, taking a seat

g Aiden, threatening that his own grade would depend on Aiden's performance. This frustrated Tristan, but he h

m, seated in the third row, gave her a thumbs up, and she grinned in return, giggling softl

e call his name, this time a male voi

oved to take a seat. Without a word, T

wned. "What'

tan said, picking up his laptop and heading for the caf

ped on a puddle of water. Despite his dislike for Aiden, he instinctively moved to help. But as Tristan e

resisting the urge to shake his head at Aiden's foolishness, a

f nothing had happened. When he looked ar

?" he snapped with a scoff, mak

Kai, Sam, Jefferson, Troy,

**

iends were discussing basketball games when Tri

Aiden, turned to look at the door. Aiden, with his b

re. The moment their eyes met, Aiden felt a sharp twist in his stomach-a mix of hatred and anger. Still, he d

But Aiden acted as if he hadn't heard him, tryi

ly this time, grabbing Aiden by the

glaring at Tristan, while Cathrine scoffed soft

en you're ready for the lesson," Tristan said, t

xactly what you are. I hate you, and I wish I could de

twisted smile creeping across his

en's brow to furrow. He didn't move as Tristan

afraid of how much you'll need me. How much you want me in your messy life. How much you crave for