CHAPTER 118

CHAPTER 118
AUSTIN's POV

After our classes ended today, my phone buzzed — a text from Dad, reminding me about the event tonight. Great. Another night of pretending to enjoy small talk with people I barely know. I must be home now to get ready. Tss. I damn hate this.

"Hey, I’ll go first," I told Liam while slinging my bag over my shoulder.

"Yeah. See ya," he replied casually.

I walked out of the classroom before him, already pulling out my phone. While heading down the hall, I typed a quick message to Chase, telling him I’d head out first. He deserved to know I wouldn’t be around for a while.

Before going to the parking lot, I stopped by my locker to drop off some books I wouldn’t need at home. I was halfway through arranging them when a voice suddenly popped up beside me.

"Hey,"

I turned my head — it was Yanna.

"H... Hey." My voice came out hesitant. I haven’t seen her in days, so running into her now caught me completely off guard.

She smiled faintly. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Uh, can’t. I’m in a hurry," I replied, already thinking about Dad’s text and the time ticking away.

"One minute," she insisted, her eyes not letting me slip away that easily.

I sighed. "Okay. What is it?"

"Uh, I wanted to talk in private. Follow me." Her smile didn’t fade as she turned and started walking down the hallway.

Against my better judgment, I closed my locker and followed her, my steps echoing softly behind hers.

Until we reached the back of the building, she finally stopped and turned to face me. I stayed quiet, waiting for her to speak first.

"How have you been?" she asked casually, as if we’d just run into each other at the cafeteria.

"Great. Uh, what do you want to talk about? I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry. I have an important thing to do." My tone was clipped—Dad’s event was already gnawing at my mind.

"Well, I wanna show you something." She pulled out her phone, scrolling through it quickly. Then, she turned the screen toward me.

My stomach dropped. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the photo—me and Chase… together, earlier, on the rooftop.

She slipped the phone back into her pocket. "You and Chase, huh?"

"Delete that. Right now." My voice came out low and sharp, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"Since when?" she asked, completely ignoring what I’d just said. Her tone matched the sharp look in her eyes—serious, unyielding.

"Do I have to answer that? It’s none of your business." My voice was firm, but my pulse was already racing.

She scoffed, a dry, humorless sound. I’d never seen her look like this before—like the sweet, cheerful Yanna I knew had been replaced by someone else entirely. There was a sharpness in her gaze, almost villainous, as if she was holding a weapon and I’d just walked into striking distance.

"None of my business? You dumped me because of him! He is the reason why you rejected me!"

"What?" My voice came out more like a reflex than an actual question, my eyebrows snapped.

"Oh, come on, Austin. I know he’s the reason. Why? How could you fall in love with him? I mean, you’re not even gay."

"Shut up." My tone dropped, sharp and cold. "Delete that photo. Right now."

Her words burned in my head, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me flinch. All I could think about was getting that photo out of her hands—before it ended up somewhere it should never be.

She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly, like she was enjoying the power she suddenly had over me. "And if I don’t?" she challenged, her lips curling into the faintest smirk.

My jaw tightened. "Yanna, I’m serious. Delete it."

She stepped closer, her voice low but sharp. "You think I’m stupid? A photo like this… it could be very useful."

My hands curled into fists at my sides. "What do you want?" I asked, my patience wearing thin.

Her smirk grew. "I haven’t decided yet. But when I do, I’ll let you know."

Before I could say another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me frozen in place. Damn it!

I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling inside me. I spotted an empty soda can near my foot and kicked it hard—it clanged against the wall, the sound echoing in the quiet space.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen. Mom. Damn it, not now.

I swiped to answer. "Yeah, I’m on the road now," I said quickly, forcing my voice to sound calm even though my mind was still spinning. It was a lie. I hadn’t even left the campus yet, and the last thing I needed was for her to hear the storm in my voice.

"Good. Don’t be late. Your father’s already asking where you are," Mom said before hanging up.

I shoved my phone into my pocket, my hands trembling—not from fear, but from the weight of what just happened. Yanna… that damn photo. If she tells anyone—no, if she shows anyone—everything will spiral out of control. Especially, my father.

I hurried to the parking lot, my footsteps heavy, my mind refusing to focus on the event I was supposed to attend.

I slid into the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel tightly. I needed to get home, put on the perfect mask for my family, and somehow push all this to the back of my head. But deep down, I knew—

I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about her words. I need to do something.

While I’m on my way, the frustration in my chest only grows heavier, burning like it’s eating me alive. My grip tightens on the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white. I can feel my pulse pounding in my temples.

Should I tell Chase about it?

The thought hits me hard, but it’s followed by hesitation.

No. I don’t know.

I exhale sharply, almost growling under my breath.

Fuck, Yanna.

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