The heavy oak doors of the Crestwood Academy library creaked as Avery pushed them open, the cool, quiet atmosphere inside a stark contrast to the chaos of the hallways. Her footsteps echoed faintly on the polished wooden floor as she made her way toward her favorite corner—a secluded nook near the tall, arched windows that overlooked the sprawling school gardens.
She collapsed into one of the oversized armchairs, her books slipping from her trembling hands onto the table. Her heart still pounded from the encounter with Ryan Hayes, his cruel words replaying in her mind like a broken record.
Moments later, the doors creaked open again, and Avery tensed, but a familiar voice called out softly.
“Aves?”
Avery looked up to see Janice standing near the entrance with a worried expression. She held Avery’s backpack, which had been left behind in the hallway during the commotion.
“I figured you’d be here,” Janice said, walking over and plopping the bag down beside Avery. She pulled up a chair, crossing her legs with her usual nonchalance. “You okay?”
Avery hesitated, biting her lip before shaking her head. “No. Not really.”
Janice leaned forward, her tone softening. “You can’t let him get to you, you know. Ryan Hayes is nothing but a walking cliché—a spoiled quarterback with an ego the size of this campus. You’re better than him, Avery.”
Avery let out a hollow laugh. “Doesn’t feel like it when everyone’s laughing at me. Did you hear what he said?” She lowered her voice, mimicking Ryan’s cruel tone. “‘Even the richest kids can’t buy good looks.’”
Janice’s eyes darkened. “He’s lucky I didn’t shove that football down his throat.”
“Thanks, Jan,” Avery said with a small smile. “But you can’t fight all my battles for me.”
Janice shrugged. “Maybe not, but I’ll fight the ones that matter.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the faint rustle of pages turning and the distant hum of the air conditioning filling the space. Avery gazed out of the window, her expression distant.
“I don’t belong here,” she said quietly.
“What?” Janice asked, her brows furrowing.
“This school. Crestwood. It’s not me,” Avery continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “Everyone here is so polished and perfect. I’m just… not. I don’t want to be like them.”
Janice tilted her head. “So what do you want, then?”
Avery hesitated before answering, her eyes still focused on the gardens outside. “I want to leave it all behind. The wealth, the pressure, the expectations. I just want a simple life—something real. Somewhere I can be myself without constantly feeling like I have to prove I’m good enough.”
Janice reached over and squeezed her hand. “Then that’s what you’ll do. You’ll get out of here, and you’ll build that life. I’ll help you pack your bags if that’s what it takes.”
Avery smiled faintly, her chest warming at Janice’s unwavering loyalty.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
Their moment of peace was shattered by a shadow moving across the window. Avery glanced up, her heart sinking as she saw Ryan Hayes standing outside, his trademark smirk plastered across his face.
He raised a hand, mockingly tipping an imaginary hat at her, then gestured toward the library door as though to say, I’m coming in.
Avery’s stomach twisted.
“Of course,” she muttered under her breath.
Janice turned, catching sight of Ryan just as he disappeared from view. “What the hell does he want now?”
The door creaked open again, and Avery’s fears were confirmed when Ryan strode in, his swagger practically radiating arrogance.
Janice’s eyes narrowed. “Oh no. Not today, Hayes.”
Ryan ignored her completely, his piercing gaze locked on Avery as he walked over. “Deveraux,” he said casually, leaning against the edge of the table.
Avery straightened in her chair, trying to maintain her composure. “What do you want, Ryan?”
Ryan tilted his head, studying her for a moment. “Just wanted to see if you’d crawled into a hole to cry. Guess I was right.”
Janice shot to her feet. “You need to leave.”
Ryan held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Janice. I’m just here to talk.”
His eyes flicked back to Avery, and his smirk widened. “You know, Deveraux, you’ve got an interesting face.”
Avery frowned, her stomach tightening. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ryan chuckled, tapping the side of his nose. “Your nose—it’s like a Lego piece. You know, square and… kind of sticking out. Unique, I guess.”
Janice took a step forward, her fists clenched. “You’re such a—”
“Don’t,” Avery interrupted, her voice shaky but firm. She turned to Ryan, meeting his gaze head-on despite the burning in her cheeks. “Why do you even care? Why do you go out of your way to make me miserable?”
Ryan shrugged nonchalantly. “Because it’s fun. But mostly because I can’t stand people who don’t belong here pretending they do.”
Avery stared at him, her nails digging into her palms. “I don’t have to prove anything to you.”
Ryan leaned in closer, his tone dropping. “Oh, but you do. Let’s see if you’re more than just your daddy’s money, Deveraux.”