ASHLEY’S POV
By fourth period, my nerves were already worn thin.
English class had always been one of the few places where I felt a bit calm. It was my favourite subject. Lucas usually sat near me, and even when we didn’t talk much, there was a quiet comfort in knowing he was there. Today, that comfort was gone the moment he walked in.
He arrived late.
The door opened halfway through attendance, and the entire room shifted when he stepped inside. His jaw was clenched tight. His shoulders looked rigid. His backpack was slung over one shoulder like he hadn’t even bothered to adjust it. He didn’t apologize to the teacher. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone.
When he passed my desk, he didn’t look at me. Not even for a second.
My chest tightened.
I told myself not to read into it. Lu
