DALA “What?” I was beyond shocked, my jaw slacked. That wasn’t a question— it was a straight up accusation. “What did you just say to me?” He snickered, still looking at me without a single readable emotion on his face. The judgment in his tone wasn’t obvious in his expression at all. Then simply, Vander turned, fixing his airpods back like he hadn’t just insulted my entire existence. Why was I offended, though? He wasn’t far from the truth, but hearing him utter it felt like a slap. Without thinking, I yanked the airpod out of his right ear. “What did you just say to me?” I quizzed, anger lacing my words. I just wanted to know if he’d seen something or if Knox had said something inappropriate about me. My pride was hanging in the balance. Vander’s gaze hardened, wandering between my

