ZARA: out of shell.
I gulped hard, my fingers tangled tightly with Noah’s.
The professor stared at me like she’d been waiting for this exact moment. Of course she remembered me.
“Isn’t it you?” she said, her eyes narrowing. “The one who failed my course last semester? And you’re an hour late to my class?”
All eyes burned holes into my skin.
“We’re sorry, ma’am. We didn’t intend to—”
“You can have your seat, Mr. Reyes. I’m talking to her.”
I blinked. Again with this Noah–professor dynamic. Why were they all treating him like he had some royal title on campus?
“I know, ma’am. And about last semester…” Noah stepped forward, gripping my hand tighter. “I was supposed to be her partner. I’m sorry I didn’t show up that day.”
The class erupted in whispers. Heads turned. Eyes widened.
“O
