Chapter 22 Perfect Score
Mia's POV
I sat under the old acacia tree, my favorite spot, with my knees pulled close and my lunch untouched beside me. I had never felt so alone in my life. Liam was just a boy, yet losing him felt like losing something important.
I tried not to remember the way his face fell when I asked him to stay away, or the pain in his eyes when he found out I was Josh's girlfriend. I told myself it was better this way. I no longer needed to push him away or find excuses to keep my distance. He believed I was with Josh, and that made things easier and safer.
I would never belong in Liam's world. I overheard his father talking to Josh's dad about expanding their business through marriage, even though they were already wealthy. That was when I knew for sure. Someone like Liam was never meant for someone like me.
At the time, it felt like the right choice. I already had too much to handle. But now, ever since he stepped back and kept his distance like I asked, everything felt dull. It made me wonder if I really did the right thing.
I leaned my head against the tree and looked up at the sky, my eyes tired. I knew I should not want someone like him. He was the heir to his father's empire. And I was just Mia, the laughingstock of Suncrest Academy.
My eyes drifted toward the cafeteria, where I knew he would be by now. And even though I told myself not to, I wished he would come find me, even just once, because everything felt easier when he was around. Most of all, I missed being with him.
"Hey," Joshua said softly as the break room door closed behind us. "Are you okay?"
I did not look up right away. After a moment, I nodded.
"Yeah," I said, forcing a small smile. "I'm just tired. I have a lot of assignments due and several quizzes this Friday. Typical senior stuff."
Joshua watched me a little longer, worry settling into his expression. I knew he saw how exhausted I was, and it was not just from school.
"I know why you really look like this," he said quietly.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
He sighed and leaned against the counter, his shoulders drooping. "It's my fault. All of it."
"Josh—"
"No, let me say this," he cut in gently. "You are my girlfriend in the eyes of my family, and worst of all, Liam. And because of that, because of me, you and he cannot be together. Even if you want to be." I blinked, caught off guard. I tried to speak, but nothing came out.
He let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "I saw the way he looked at you at the docks, Mia. And I saw how you could not look back, like it would have broken you. I have known you long enough to understand what that kind of silence means."
I finally met his. "Hey," I said softly, and this time my voice did not shake. "You do not need to feel guilty. I told Liam to stay away from me before you even asked me to be your fake girlfriend. I made that choice."
"But did you want to?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I hesitated a moment too long. Then I smiled, softly and sadly, and shook my head. "It does not matter what I wanted. Some things just are not meant to happen."
I could tell he saw it in my eyes. My smile was there, but it did not reach them. I looked strong, but also worn out, like I was trying too hard to pretend I was okay. My fingers tightened around my water bottle, holding on like it was the only thing keeping me together.
"Mia," he said quietly, "for what it is worth, I never wanted to be the reason you missed out on something real." My smile faltered, just for a second.
"I'm not missing anything, Josh. I'm fine, and I'm actually glad I'm not involved with Liam. I already have too much to deal with, and high school romance was never part of my plan," I said.
It was a lie. And in the heavy silence that followed, neither of us said what we both understood. It was not just about Liam. It was about everything I had given up, every time I stayed quiet, hid my pain, and kept going when no one asked if I was okay, except Josh.
"Welcome back, Mia," our teacher said, cutting through the quiet chatter as she stood at the front of the class and looked down at a paper. "You aced the math exam. Congratulations on the perfect score."
The room went quiet. No one clapped. No one smiled.
I kept my eyes on my desk, my fingers gripping its edge like I needed something to hold on to. I felt the mood change right away, like the air grew colder, like everyone suddenly remembered they were not supposed to be happy for me.
Our teacher, oblivious to the tension, continued, "More than half the class needs to study harder, so this was no small feat. And please make sure your assignments and activities are submitted on time. You all want to pass and graduate, right?"
Still nothing. Just the hollow rustle of notebooks. Someone cleared their throat. Another student yawned. Then the teacher glanced at the second paper in her hand. "And of course, another perfect score, Mr. Alcaraz."
The mood changed in an instant. Cheers filled the room.
"You nailed it, Liam!" someone shouted.
"Can we clone you?" another joked, making everyone laugh, except me.
Even the students who had stayed quiet earlier joined in, clapping and laughing as Liam gave a modest smile. A few boys slapped his back. The girls giggled behind their hands. The difference was impossible to miss.
I stared at my notes while the celebration washed over the room, like something I was never meant to be part of. Then I felt the stares. I felt them before I even looked. The girls I once called my sisters.
Chloe sat with her arms crossed, her lips tight with resentment. Belle's stare was cold and sharp. Kim let out a loud scoff, clearly meant to hurt.
I swallowed and looked away. I did not say anything. I did not smile or hold anyone's gaze for too long. I knew better. If I did, they would call me arrogant and fake. They would forget how they once relied on me, borrowed my notes, and asked for my help like I owed them. But now, I was the girl who dared to succeed without them.
The clapping for Liam faded into whispers. I heard my name spoken with spite, followed by a quiet, cruel laugh. I did not react. I opened my notebook and pretended to write, even though my eyes burned and the numbers blurred. This was not pride or glory. It was survival. For me, being smart had never brought applause, only envy.
When the final bell rang, it felt like relief. Chairs scraped back and laughter filled the room as everyone left in groups that did not include me. I moved slower, packing my things carefully, adjusting my sleeves, staring at my desk as if it could hold me there a little longer. I waited until Chloe, Kim, Trish, and Belle were gone, their laughter fading down the hallway. None of them looked back.
That pain was more than I would ever admit, even to myself. I reached for my pen, trying to keep my hands steady and pretending the silence they left behind was not so loud. I focused on my notebook and tried to calm my breathing.
Then I felt it. Someone had stopped beside my desk. And it was Daniel.
My heart skipped, then stumbled. He had not spoken to me in almost two years, not since everything fell apart, not since he stayed silent while they pushed me out like I did not matter.
He was never cruel. He did not have to be. His silence had already said enough. And now he was standing there, holding my pencil case as if nothing had happened.