DETENTION OF THE HEART

All I Could Feel Was Her

Sandra’s POV

Oh, damn it…not now! I screamed inside, clenching my fists as the announcement cut through the library. I was angry, frustrated…burning. That kiss, that perfect moment, had been stolen from me.

I shoved the book I had been pretending to read back onto its shelf without care and stormed down the hall toward the principal’s office, every step heavy with irritation. My heartbeat still hadn’t slowed from the near-kiss with Miss Taila, and now this?

When I pushed open the office door, Principal Morris was waiting, her face softened by a polite smile.

“Miss Eden, please, have a seat,” she said kindly, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk.

I sat down stiffly, still carrying the storm inside me. I didn’t bother smiling back.

“There’s a mathematics competition being held next month,” she began, folding her hands neatly on the desk. “We’d like either you or Mr. Adam to represent our school.” She paused, watching me closely. “I called you here first because I wanted to hear your opinion.”

Her words barely registered. I already knew how this worked. They would push me forward because I was one of the best students…always had been. But my stomach twisted at the thought. I couldn’t do it. Not in front of everyone. Not with their stares. Their eyes would tear me apart, curious about my gender, whispering behind my back, digging for stories I wasn’t ready to tell.

It wasn’t fear…it was exhaustion.

“I’d like him to take the opportunity,” I said flatly, my words spilling out without hesitation, anger still boiling beneath my skin.

Her brows lifted slightly. “Will you at least give it some thought?” she asked, her voice soft with concern.

“No, ma’am,” I answered almost immediately. My tone was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care.

She leaned back in her chair, pausing, her expression unreadable. I wondered what she was thinking. Did she believe I was ungrateful? Foolish? Maybe she was right. Most students would kill for this chance…but not me.

The bell rang, breaking the silence. I stood quickly. “Can I go now?” I asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Yes, of course, Miss Eden.”

I left without looking back.

Walking back to class, my body stiffened. As soon as I reached the door, I froze. Dozens of eyes turned toward me at once, as if they had been waiting for my entrance. Their stares pierced me, heavy and invasive, making me want to sink into the floor and disappear.

My throat tightened. My feet refused to move. Sometimes I wondered if this was how it would always be…me standing on the outside, everyone else dissecting me with their gaze.

I rolled my eyes upward, forcing myself to breathe, and scanned the room. I searched for Angel…my anchor, my safe place. But her seat was empty.

My chest sank.

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Angel's POV

The lunch bell rang, echoing through the halls. I stood up, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and went searching for Sandra. She hadn’t shown up to meet me, and that wasn’t like her. I checked the usual places: the courtyard, the classrooms, even the stairwell. Nothing.

After a long search, frustration bubbling, I decided to head to the cafeteria. Maybe she had gone ahead without me, though deep down I knew Sandra would never eat there without me.

I grabbed a tray and went through the motions of lunch, though my heart wasn’t in it. I scanned the crowded tables, searching, but her face wasn’t anywhere in sight.

I sat down at an empty spot, eating quickly, still restless. Every bite felt forced. My eyes kept flickering toward the door. Something wasn’t right.

Then the school speaker crackled, making everyone pause.

“Sandra Eden… to the principal’s office.”

I let out a long breath, relief flooding through me. At least I knew where to find her now.

I rushed my food, eating so quickly I didn’t care about the stares I drew from classmates. Let them look. Let them whisper. Right now, I just need to find her.

Within minutes, I was done. I left my tray, ignoring the murmurs that followed me out, and hurried to the principal’s office.

But when I got there, the secretary shook her head gently. “She’s already gone.”

My stomach dropped.

I turned back, almost running down the hallway toward our classroom. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I caught my breath, anxiety clawing at me.

Then I saw her.

Sandra stood frozen at the doorway, like she couldn’t decide whether to enter or run. Her shoulders were tense, her face pale. The stares from inside the classroom pressed against her like weights, and I could feel her discomfort from where I stood.

I started toward her, ready to pull her out of that suffocating spotlight, but then I stopped.

Someone else had already reached her.

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Sandra’s POV

I didn’t notice her until I felt the touch. A hand slipped around my wrist gently, pulling me closer.

Startled, I looked up slowly.

And there she was…Miss Taila.

Her expression was unreadable, a mix of concern and something softer, warmer. Without a word, she drew me against her chest, holding me firmly, protectively.

My breath hitched. My body stiffened at first, but then melted against her. Her scent washed over me…sweet, faintly floral, calming in a way that made my heart ache.

The room around me blurred. The stares disappeared. All I could feel was her.

Her arms were strong yet gentle, her heartbeat steady beneath my ear.

For a fleeting second, it felt like safety. It felt like belonging.

And for the first time that day, I let myself breathe.

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Angel’s POV

I froze mid-step, my heart thudding as I watched the scene unfold.

Sandra…my Sandra…wasn’t alone anymore. She was in Miss Taila’s arms.

The sight burned into me, confusing and sharp. Relief and jealousy tangled inside me. Relief, because someone had reached her when I couldn’t. Jealousy, because it wasn’t me.

I stood there, hidden in the corridor, watching Sandra lean into her chest, watching Miss Taila hold her like she belonged there.