“Look, David’s team apologized to me and said I could rejoin. Josie said while holding up her phone for Sean to see.

Her eyes curved with a bright smile. She was clearly in a great mood.

“So, are you thinking about going back?” Sean asked, not quite sure what she meant.

Josie shook her head with augh. “Of course not. I’m part of your team now. Going back would make me a traitor”

Her wordsnded softly but powerfully on Sean’s heart. He couldn’t help but press a hand to his chest.

It was a strange, wonderful feeling, and he found himself smiling even wider.

“You better keep your word. Don’t forget we’re a team now, and we still have apetitioning up,” he said.

+38)

“Of course I remember, Josie said, ncing back down at her phone. Then, as if something had suddenly urred to her. she quickly looked up at Sean.

“Wait, Sean, do you actually think I’m happy just because they want me back on their team?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sean quickly looked away and felt a bit sheepish. “No, I don’t.”

“bI /bthink you do,” Josie let out a little huff, standing up and walking over to him. “Seriously, what do you take me for? I’m not the type to flip–flop like that.

“Back when I was at my lowest, you guys took me in. There’s no way I’d use your kindness just to run back to them. That’s bjust /bnot me.

Sean’s smile faded, his expression turning serious. “You’re right. I was wrong. I owe you an apology.”

It caught herpletely off guard; he made it sound so easy, as if apologizing was no big deal at all.

But then she thought about Aiden and the others. She’d waited what felt like a lifetime for them to apologize to her.

“Are you okay? Sean asked, looking genuinely puzzled.

He didn’t have much experience with girls, and he had no idea why Josie’s eyes were suddenly turning red just because he’d apologized

That’s not what I meant Please, don’t cry, he blurted out.

He was terrible atforting people. This kind of thing was just way too hard for him.

Josie shook her head. Tm not crying Fin just really happy.

“I am happy to be on your team and to have meet you. You’re someone I can count on, Scan. You are a genuinely good guy!”

Sean looked confused “So just because I apologized that makes me some kind of stand–up guy?”

“Of course!” Josie nodded earnestly It’s the little things that show what kind of person you are.

“Maybe you don’t see it, but to me, you’re definitely a stand up guy!

In her previous life, she hadn’t paid enough attention to these little things. That was why she kept giving in to Aiden and the others again and again.

It got to the point where even the smallest bit of pushback from her was seen as being difficult. They treated her as if she’d

20%

38)

changed and stopped caring about the team anymore.

It wasn’t until she waspletely drained, with nothing left of herself, that she finally realized the truth.

Once she gave in, others just kept pushing her. She let it go once because it seemed bsmall/b, but next time, it could be something much bigger.

After all, even a single horseshoe nail cpid bring down an entire kingdom.

Even something small like this could ruin a person.

Sean said in a good mood. “Alright, whatever you say.”

“Oh, by the way, Sean, let me tell you something fun,” Josie said, giving him a yful wink as she scrolled to the forum post about the bet between an arrogant person and Aiden.

Sean’s gaze grew a bit more serious. “So that’s what had you grinning just now?”

“Of course! Other than this, I couldn’t care less about their apology or their offer to take me back.” Josie said, tilting her chin up like a proud little peacock.

Sean couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, you’ve got some backbone, I’ll give you that.”

You bet I do!” Josie said, pulling her phone back and starting to type out a reply.

She added, “You know, the person who bet that I’d go back to David’s team is actually Aiden’s alt ount.

“I have no idea where he gets his confidence from, thinking I’d ever go back to them!”

“Just wait, I’m going to wipe that smug look off his face. He’s always acting so high and mighty. It’s really annoying!”

They’d been spending so much time togethertely and had gotten morefortable with each other.

Josie had dropped her initial wariness. Now, she’d sometimes show the soft, adorable side of herself.

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