The feeling started the moment Claire stepped out of Xander’s car in the school parking lot.
It was subtle at first — just a prickle at the back of her neck, like someone was standing too close. She glanced around, but the usual crowd of students was milling about, laughing and chatting. Nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the unease settled deep in her bones and refused to leave.
“You okay?” Xander asked, squeezing her hand as they walked toward the entrance.
Claire forced a smile. “Yeah. Just tired.”
He studied her for a second but didn’t push. His arm stayed protectively around her shoulders the entire way to class, a silent shield against the whispers that still followed them. The gold-digger rumors had quieted slightly after Alissa’s warning, but they hadn’t disappeared. Every onc
