Chapter 23
Sadie's POV
Lincoln Heights High's front entrance was packed with students. Some were clustered on the steps scrolling through their phones. Others were leaning against the railings with coffee cups, talking loudly about last night's party or this weekend's game.
Liam pulled into the VIP parking zone right in front of the school—the spot reserved for the football team's starting lineup.
He hopped out and came around to open my door like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Your chariot has arrived, princess," he said with a grin.
I climbed out, tugging at the sleeves of my oversized pale sweater.
But the second I stepped onto the pavement, the noise around us dipped.
Not a lot. Just enough.
People looked up. Conversations paused mid-sentence. Eyes tracked me as I adjusted my bag strap and followed Liam toward the entrance.
"Who's that?" someone whispered.
"Liam Parker's stepsister. The one from yesterday—"
"Oh. That Sadie."
I kept my head down and gripped my bag tighter.
Liam didn't seem to notice any of it. He clapped me on the shoulder. "Alright, I gotta go find Cole. You good from here?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"See you after school. We'll head home together."
He jogged off toward the gym, leaving me standing alone at the entrance.
I took a breath and walked inside.
---
"SADIE!"
Brooklyn's voice cut through the cafeteria noise like a foghorn.
I spotted her at our usual table by the window, waving both arms over her head like she was flagging down a plane.
I made my way over and slid into the seat across from her.
"I saw you get out of Liam's car this morning," she said immediately, her eyes sparkling. "Right at the front entrance. Do you know how many people were staring?"
"I noticed," I muttered.
Maya closed her laptop and pushed her glasses up her nose. "I observed the reaction as well. There was a two-second pause in conversation among the Junior girls near the lockers. That's a non-verbal signal of social acknowledgment."
"Can you not analyze everything?" Brooklyn groaned.
"I'm being objective."
Zoe, sitting beside me, gave me a gentle smile. "You look better today. Less tense than yesterday."
"I slept okay," I said quickly, grabbing my lunch tray. "Did you guys finish the calculus homework? I'm stuck on number seven—"
"Hold on." Brooklyn grabbed my arm. "Don't change the subject. How was your first night? Is the estate huge? Did Jake say anything?"
"It's big," I said carefully. "Diane made breakfast. It was really good."
"That's it?" Brooklyn stared at me. "That's all you're giving me?"
"She remembered I don't like onions. She put avocado and fruit out. It was way better than dorm food."
"You're avoiding the question, but fine. I'll take it for now."
Maya tilted her head thoughtfully. "The fact that Diane Montgomery personally cooks breakfast is more... approachable than I expected."
"She's not like that," I said quietly. "She doesn't act like she's better than anyone. She's just... normal. Like a regular mom."
Zoe nodded, and mercifully, she didn't push.
The conversation shifted naturally when Brooklyn suddenly leaned forward, her expression turning serious.
"Speaking of things you need to know—did you see Lion's Den this morning? People are talking about Homecoming again."
I tightened my grip on my fork. "Liam mentioned it."
"Nominations close next Friday," Brooklyn said. "You should think about running."
"He was just being nice."
"He wasn't just being nice," Brooklyn said firmly. "I think you should actually consider it."
Maya adjusted her glasses. "Vivienne has won Queen two years in a row. She'll definitely run again this year. Objectively speaking, she has the highest support rate. But—" She paused. "After the cafeteria incident, her image has cracks in it. A lot of people are questioning her."
"If you run, it won't just be about votes," Zoe added softly.
I knew what she meant.
"I know," I said quietly.
Brooklyn leaned her elbows on the table, looking me dead in the eye. "Sadie, you don't have to shrink yourself just because you're scared of the drama. A lot of people saw what you said yesterday. There are people on Lion's Den defending you—"
"There are also people tearing me apart."
"But there are people defending you," Brooklyn insisted. "That's what matters. You're not alone in this."
I looked up at her. Then at Maya. Then at Zoe.
All three of them were serious.
"I'll think about it," I finally said.
Brooklyn slapped the table triumphantly. "Good enough. I'm gonna start tracking the nominations—"
"I said I'd think about it. Not that I'm running."
"But you didn't say no either, right?"
I didn't answer.
Maya cut in smoothly. "Let's eat first. Homecoming can wait. You two are killing our lunch efficiency."
Zoe laughed softly. "Maya's right."
The tension broke, and we all went back to our food.
For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe.
This table was safe.