Lena’s POV
The decision crystallizes during the third period while Mr. Patterson drones on about Shakespeare. I'm going to follow Priya's advice. I'm going to stop running and start taking control.
The realization feels both terrifying and liberating.
Last night, Priya and I researched the brothers online. Not just social media stalking, but deep dives into news articles, family business profiles, charity galas.
The Mercer family isn't just wealthy. They're old-money wealthy in a way that makes the amount they paid me—life-changing for me—look like pocket change.
Like dinner at a nice restaurant. The discovery should make me feel worse, but instead it brings strange relief.
At least they won't miss it.
But I still need answers. I still need control. So when the teacher turns to the board, I pull out my phone and text both their numbers:
"Come to the library after school. We need to talk."
I hit send before I can overthink it. The message goes from delivered to read almost instantly.
Neither responds, but they'll come. I know they will.
The final bell rings, and I head straight for the library. I expected to be first, but they're already there. Both of them, standing near the reference section, looking nervous.
"Hi," Evan says, and they both wave with a shyness that's almost comical. The gesture is so awkward that I can't help but smile.
I reach into my bag and pull out folded notebook paper where I wrote my questions.
My need for control manifested in blue ink. "I need to ask you some things," I say. "And I need honest answers."
"Okay," Noah says, his voice steady but his hands shoved in his pockets.
I look at my first question, circled three times.
"Why did you really do this? And don't give me the 'we like you' answer. I need more than that. Why did you care enough to spend that kind of money?"
Noah and Evan exchange a look. Noah starts, "Because when I saw that profile, saw your name, all I could think about was you in a room with some stranger who didn't know you. Who didn't see how smart you are, how brave. I couldn't let that happen."
"And I felt the same," Evan adds. "It wasn't about the money. It was about keeping you safe. Making sure that if this was going to happen, it happened with people who actually care about you."
"But the money is the problem," I say, my voice cracking. "I felt like that money owns me now, don't you see? Every time you look at me, I'll wonder if I'm bought. If this is real or if I'm just—" I can't finish.
"Then give it back," Noah says immediately, stepping closer. "If that's what you need to feel equal, give it back. We'll figure something out."
"I can't," I say. "I already deposited it for tuition. It's gone."
The silence is heavy.
Then something shifts in me. "I don't know how to accept help," I say quietly. "I don't know how to want something just for myself. I've spent my whole life working, proving I deserve things, earning everything I get. And you just gave it to me. And I don't know what to do with that."
"We don't know how to love someone without our privilege getting in the way," Evan admits. "We've had everything handed to us. We don't know how to separate what we feel from what we can give. We're trying to figure it out too."
The confession hangs between us, and for the first time since that hotel room, I feel like we're on equal footing. Three people who don't know what they're doing but are trying anyway.
I still feel indebted, like the scales need balancing. So I decide to do something in return, something small but mine to give.
With a shy smile, I look around the library to make sure we're alone. Then I go up on my tiptoes, lean forward, and press a soft kiss to Evan's cheek.
His skin is warm, and when I pull back his eyes are wide. I turn to Noah and do the same, feeling his sharp intake of breath.
"Thank you," I whisper. "For trying."
That's when I hear it. The sharp bark of cruel laughter. I turn and see Trent Lawson by the doors.
His face splits into a vicious grin. "Well, well. This is going to be good."
Panic floods through me. Without thinking, I grab my bag and dash past him, out the doors, down the hallway. I can hear Noah and Evan calling after me, but I don't stop. I just run.