Chapter 46
The hallway was quieter than usual as Andrea walked to class, clutching her books tightly against her chest. The sting of rejection and isolation still weighed heavily on her, but today, she tried to focus on keeping her head up and moving forward.
She passed by an alcove near the library, where two elite students leaned casually against the wall, deep in conversation. Andrea would’ve ignored them, but her name caught her attention.
“Can you believe it? Nathaniel and her?” one of them scoffed, the disdain in his tone impossible to miss.
“I know,” the other said, lowering her voice slightly. “It’s so unlike him. Maybe the King of Spades doesn’t want a Joker dragging him down anymore.”
Andrea froze in place, her heart hammering in her chest.
The first student laughed bitterly. “If that’s true, it’s about time. Honestly, he should’ve dropped her the second she pulled that card.”
Andrea’s grip tightened on her books as the words sank in. She ducked into an empty classroom before they could notice her, her mind spinning.
Dragging him down.
She sat down at an empty desk, the conversation replaying in her head. Nathaniel had promised to protect her—he’d said she mattered to him. But now, his coldness, his avoidance, and the things she’d overheard made her wonder if he regretted those promises.
By lunchtime, Andrea couldn’t shake the nagging thoughts. She spotted Liam at a table in the cafeteria, his easy smile directed at the group of students around him. For a moment, she hesitated. Liam’s warmth had always been a comfort, but lately, even he had grown distant.
Gathering her courage, Andrea approached the table.
“Liam,” she said, her voice firm but strained.
Liam glanced up, his smile faltering when he saw her. “Andrea,” he said, his tone cautious.
“Can we talk?” she asked, ignoring the curious glances from the students around him.
Liam hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, sure.”
They moved to a quieter corner of the cafeteria. Andrea set her tray down, but the tension between them made it hard to meet his gaze.
“What’s going on?” Liam asked, his tone lighter than his expression.
Andrea took a deep breath. “Has Nathaniel said anything about me? About… why he’s been acting like this?”
Liam’s smile disappeared entirely, replaced with a look of unease. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “Andrea…”
“Please,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I just need to know.”
Liam sighed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. “Nathaniel hasn’t been himself lately. You’re not imagining that.”
Andrea’s stomach twisted. “So, it’s true? He’s avoiding me on purpose?”
“I think,” Liam said carefully, “he’s trying to figure things out. You should talk to him.”
Andrea frowned, frustration bubbling up. “I’ve tried, Liam. He won’t listen. He barely even looks at me.”
Liam hesitated, then said quietly, “Maybe he’s not sure how to handle this. It’s complicated.”
Andrea’s hands clenched into fists. “What’s complicated? He promised me—” She stopped herself, her voice catching. “He said he’d protect me. No matter what.”
Liam’s gaze softened, but his words cut deep. “You should talk to him, Andrea. But don’t expect the answer you want.”
The rest of the day passed in a haze. Andrea replayed Liam’s words over and over, her frustration and hurt growing with each passing hour. By the time she returned to her dorm, she couldn’t sit still.
