Mia's POV
The whispers around me were deafening as Tristan guided me down the hallway, his presence commanding enough to part the sea of students. Some murmured insults under their breath, others whispered enviously.
“Did you see that? She’s with Tristan.”
“Why would someone like him care about her?”
I tried to block it all out, focusing instead on the warmth of his hand on my back as he led me toward the school’s main entrance. My heart was still racing from the encounter with Aria and her gang, but Tristan’s presence had a way of grounding me.
“Are you okay?” he asked once we reached his car.
I nodded, though my mind was still a whirlwind of emotions. “Thank you… for stepping in.”
“Don’t thank me,” he said, opening the passenger door for me. “You didn’t need saving. You handled th
