Zara's POV
The sting in my cheek hadn't faded, even with the ice. My whole body still thrummed with the leftover adrenaline from Kai cornering me. So when I heard Talia's voice behind me, soft but edged with something I couldn't name, I stiffened.
"Zara?"
I turned slowly. She stood at the end of the library row, eyes wide and glistening, like she'd been crying. My chest tightened anyway.
"Are you okay?" she asked, voice breaking.
I hesitated, then nodded. "I'm fine." The lie was stiff, and brittle.
Her lips wobbled, and before I could say more, she blurted, "Should I—should I report him? Should I get Kai expelled? He literally tried to harass me, and now he—he hit you—" Her voice cracked.
My stomach sank. "Talia…"
Her eyes filled fast with tears, spilling down her
