The moment the lecturer dismissed the class, a soft murmur of chatter filled the room. Students gathered their notes, packs, and equipment, some already rushing out to get lunch or meet friends.
I slowly began packing up my things, still feeling the adrenaline of having led the practical successfully. My hands moved almost automatically, but my mind kept replaying the earlier whispers, the doubts, and, most importantly, Frank’s intervention.
I looked around, trying to find him among the sea of students leaving the room. My chest tightened slightly as I realized he was probably heading out too.
I had barely let him speak to me since the incident with him confronting the class, and yet, he had stood up for me without complaint. I had told him to stay away, and he still had my back. That
