Chapter 24
Sappare
Tebuckled when Tyla glared at me
veruns the could muster. It was adorable really, the thought her kitten glare scared me.
I was in I already had much bigger proldrini waithi ty over my new activities like going to school, nobody told me that
I responded with wennar uile, leaning back in any seat. The tension crackled between, practically a visible spark that could burst into flames if
Leal, trated brüde spe, Feared her Hingat, not subele either
“Dact,” de muttered under ber larathi Laught her eye and weine her disapproving look, sighed inwardly. Fine, I’d follow her lead this time and
emrat like a ladley
If the ke half of the things I had endured back in the palare, she would know this was a parce of cake. I know she did a major thing but standing
(I would be the manum penon and take a depback
Dealstood up fint, her movements deliberate and calma ile jacked up her try, Hallowed tossing my food into the trach beside beni, AS WE mauyed toward the exit, I turned back and waverdat Tyla
Bye, Taylor Tralled diverfully, knowing full well thoming the wing me would set her off
flared as the
If it was pronnable for are terre et of somer’s car, Tyla would we looked like a cartoon character that me. Her nostrils th „eripped die ridge of the table line the kept her cool, Jarely
Talrogged,
y down the hallway, burl as soon as we were out of sight, dhe betru into a fit of laughter, “You’re asking for trouble, you know
externon, so does Tyla. She can get
bothered. “Theres never a hard time to uphols
Dralistasok fire head, heromile Tading an she grew versi You made a mistake standing up to “Tyla, she’s not just any bully. She’s got indlu
“Tifluence” Hooded, “What, dues die have a personal anong ur sonomhang?”
walled “Tyls muther as the cloncellor She rum this hood and by ex away with peerty pin langeline, and anyone who crosses her usually regrets it.” jaspped and named in fare her Took, I get that she’s got connections and poorer. But Thave a strict me tolerance policy on bullshit. I’m not going
and toy way to start something with her, but if she coom for me, she’s going to find out that the s not the only on who known how to fight back.”
Tzali sighed, looking tum “Tidon’t know it yonder brave ur just stupid. “
I groaned, not taking firendimient pennially. “Maybe a lande Tarot beath
Just be careful.”“the warnet Tylar in’t nued to people standing; sip to her. She might take Impersonally
That’s her problem, not mir” Frantined down the hall, and Deal fell into step liesade me. “Bollies are all the same. They rely on fear to control people, hon sitee you thow them you’re not afrand, they lack all.”
This isn’t some after school special,” Leaboard, rolling her eyes. “Tyla’s ini just going to back off. She’s going to double down and make your life
Jelkled “Ter her try.
Deali looked at me like I was a lost cause but didn’t press further. We named the comer and braided to class. As we approached the classroom door. I muulil sexse lies terase. She kept glancing around like dir was rigeeting Tyla’s crew to putnji out and ambush uc
When we finally took our seats, Leal Jeanetteloser. “You should know that Tyla has a lot of dirt on people. She uses it to keep them in line. If you’ve got any terarts, she’ll find them and use diemagalust you?
hat I refined to show it, I knew how bad my secrets were and the impact it would have on others if it ever got out in the open but I
Trated an eyelros. “Everyone lis secrets, Leah But if she thinks she can scare me with some prity gossip, she’s got another thing coming”
und playing games, though, Last year, she got a girl kicked off the soccer team because she heard she’d said something had about her. And she didnt stop there. She spread rumors that got the girl incially red nie. She transferred schools by the end of the semester.
Heira Dicker of anger rive in me. “Thor’s exactly why people like Tyla need to be dood up to. If everyone keeps letting her get away with a, she’ll
Leal bat bare ligelearly to between agreeing with in and worrying about the fallout. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. It’s not worth it.”
I can handle myself. Trust me.” Toodened my tone, appreciating her contem “Tow you’re looking out for me, Le
her usual entourage trailing behind her. Her gaze lucked
Before Leal could respond, the classroom door swing open and Tyla samarred in note me instantly, a cruel smile tugging at the comer of her lips. She didn’t say anything, but the threat in her eyes was clear.
Lines her gaze without thischung, daring her to make the fint move. She held the stare for a moment longer before turning away with a scoff. Her friendlisnickered as they took thrar seats behind her, clearly amused by whatever she had planned
Leilleased in closer. “See whit Lineand She’s already plotting something.”
“Let her plot.” I said calmly. “I’m not going to play lier cime.”
Class went on as usual, but I could feel Tyla’s eyes boring imo the back of my head the entire time, It didn’t bother me, though. I was used to dealing with people like her. Bullies dined on intimidation, but the momen they realized they couldn’t scare you, they lost their power
After class, Leah grabbed my arm as we exited the room. “What now! Are you just going to ignore her!”
“Pretty much.” I said with a sheng, “She’s going in try something eventually, but I’m not going to waste my energy worrying about it.”
Leahsighed. “I wish I had your confidence. I just don’t want to see this blow up in your Exer.”
Worst–case scenario, I make an enemy out of Tyla But honestly, if she’s the type of person who thinks she’s better than everyone else just because her mom’s in charge, then I’m glad we’re not friends,”
As we walked out of the building, I caught sight of Tyla talking to a group of students near the entrance. She glanced our way and said something that made the others laugh. Loodd tell she was setting the stage for whatever retaliation she had in mind.
Deals noticed it on. “This is just the begiming, you know
I looked over at her and smiled reassuringly. “I’m ready for whatever she throws at me. I’ve dealt with people like her before. They always think they’re untouchable umil someone stands up to them.“
We continued walking, and Leah remained silent for a while. Then, she said quietly. “Twe always just kept my head down. I don’t want to be a
Burgel.”
“And that’s okay.” I said gemily. “Everyone handles these situations differently. But if you ever need someone to
Leah sanded, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks Just don’t push her too far, okay! She’s vindictive.”
have y
r your back, I’m here.”
I nodded but didn’t promise anything. I wasn’t going to let Tyla or anyone else dictate how I lived my life. If she waned a battle, she was going to get
one, bad on my tennis–not her.
Tyla would make her moose snon, and when she did. I’d be ready Bullies only had power when you let them have it, and I wasn’t about to give her any satisfaction
