Chapter 33 Friends
Mia's POV
I left the classroom as quickly as I could. I did not want to hear any more cruel remarks from the girls behind me. Every word felt like it was meant to cut deeper, and I refused to stay long enough to let them hurt me again.
As I walked toward my next class, I formed a quiet plan in my head. I would sit at the front of the room. It was not something I usually did, but the thought of it made me feel a little steadier.
I hoped that sitting closer to the teacher would help me avoid the whispers and side glances that always seemed to trail behind me. It would put space between me and the people who enjoyed watching me flinch.
When I reached the classroom and the second period finally started, I followed through with my decision.
I felt a small wave of relief when Dina, one of my classmates, offered me a seat without saying much. Dina was the only girl at Suncrest Academy I had never heard speaking badly about me. Although she also came from a wealthy family, she was different from the others. Most of her friends were from the lower years, mostly her cousins, so she rarely mixed with the girls who thrived on gossip and cruelty.
Dina had tried to talk to me many times before, offering small smiles and polite conversations. I had always kept my distance, not because I did not like her, but because I was afraid. I did not want to drag her into my problems and have her end up hurt or humiliated just for being associated with me.
Still, deep in my heart, I could feel it. Dina had always wanted to be my friend. Knowing that was enough. At least one person did not actually hate me.
I avoided looking at both Liam and Daniel, afraid that even a single glance would make everything feel heavier than it already was. Keeping my eyes forward was easier. It gave me something to focus on, even if my thoughts kept drifting back to the words I was trying to forget.
As the morning dragged on, the hours felt painfully slow. By the time the period ended, I felt more miserable than when the day had begun.
By the time lunch came around, I finally felt a small sense of relief. The morning had drained me, and all I wanted was a quiet moment alone. I headed toward my favorite spot, hoping the day would give me at least that much.
I did not expect to see both Liam and Daniel already waiting for me.
My first instinct was to turn around and pretend I had forgotten something. But before I could take even one step back, Daniel called my name, his voice warm and familiar. At the same time, Liam lifted the familiar paper bag in his hand, the one he always brought for my lunch, as if to gently block my escape.
I sighed softly. There was no way out now. With a resigned breath, I walked toward them.
We had barely sat down when I finally spoke.
"Boys," I said quietly but firmly, meeting their eyes, "you do not need to save me from the golden girls."
Both of them stilled.
"I appreciate what you did. I really do," I continued, my voice sincere. "I am thankful, and I am grateful. But I do not need heroes."
Liam frowned slightly, while Daniel leaned forward, listening closely.
"What you did today only gives them more reason to target me," I went on. "Standing up for me like that just paints a bigger mark on my back. They already dislike me enough. Now they will have more excuses to bully me."
I hesitated for a moment, then added softly, "That is why I need you to stop giving me extra attention. If they think you are watching me, protecting me, or choosing me, they will not stop. They will only get worse."
Daniel opened his mouth to argue, but I turned to him first.
"And especially you, Daniel," I said gently. "I do not want Mrs. Rodriguez dragged into this because of me. I love your mom. I would never forgive myself if she got hurt or questioned just because people think you are defending me."
My words hung heavily between us.
"I am not afraid of those girls," I said, straightening my shoulders. "I can take care of myself. I always have."
Neither of them looked convinced.
Liam was the first to shake his head. "That is not how it works, Mia," he said calmly. "You should not have to deal with this alone."
"And we are not going to pretend nothing is happening," Daniel added. "Whether you like it or not, we are already involved."
Before I could argue again, Liam exhaled and glanced at the food. "At least eat first," he said gently. "I brought lunch. Let us start with that."
Against my better judgment, I stayed.
As we ate, the conversation slowly shifted. Liam and Daniel talked easily, smoothly, as if they had known each other for years. They joked, exchanged comments, and somehow fit together in a way I had not expected at all.
I watched them quietly, disbelief settling in my chest.
I never imagined Liam and Daniel would get along. Seeing them like this felt strange, almost unreal.
Then I felt it. My heart started beating loudly as I realized both boys were looking at me at the same time. Their expressions were identical, filled with concern and something more. The intensity of it made my breath hitch.
For a brief, overwhelming moment, I wanted nothing more than to stand up and leave them both behind.
After we finished eating, I noticed that neither Liam nor Daniel moved away from my side. Instead, they stayed close, walking with me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
I slowed my steps and glanced at them, confusion flickering across my face.
"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice cautious.
Liam answered easily, like it required no explanation at all. "We are taking you to your first period this afternoon."
I stopped walking.
"What?" I asked, incredulous.
"Our classrooms are not that far away," Daniel added with a shrug.
I let out a breath, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Seriously, I do not need bodyguards," I said, unable to hide my irritation. "I told you already. I can handle myself."
I wanted them to stop. To stop watching me so closely. To stop caring like this. Every part of me knew that their attention would only make things worse with the golden girls.
And yet, I could not deny the warmth quietly spreading through my chest. After being ignored, whispered about, and pushed aside for so long, having someone choose to walk beside me felt wonderfully comforting.
Daniel glanced at me, his expression calm but firm. "You should get used to it, Mia," he said gently. "We are your friends. And friends stick together."
The word friends echoed in my mind. I almost opened my mouth to remind him that I had not said yes. That I had not told him I wanted to be friends again. I had not made any promises.
But I did not say it. Because hearing those words warmed my heart more than I wanted to admit.
I was grateful it was Daniel who said it. If I had heard the word friend from Liam, it would have hurt. Hurt in a way I was not ready to face. My stupid heart wanted more than friendship with him, and I knew it. That was why hearing it from Daniel felt safer, easier to accept.
So I said nothing. I simply walked between them, pretending my heart was not beating a little faster, pretending I was not secretly happy just to have them there. Just for now.