Chapter 7 Give Naomi Her Spot Back

Outside bthe /bssroom, Eliza yanked her arm free from Zayden’s grip.

The students in the bhallway /bturned to stare at them.

Zayden didn’t miss the look Eliza gave him–pure disgust.

The kind of disgust bthat /bdidn’t try to hide itself, like she’d just swallowed a mouthful of flies

“Zayden, I already switched seats. bWhat /bmore do you want?” Eliza rubbed her sore wrist.

He’d grabbed her so hard earlier, she thought he might’ve crushed her bones.

Zayden’s voice bwas /bcold. “bGive /bNaomi her spot back.”

Eliza let out a bugh/b. “I earned that spot. Why would I bgive /bit back?”

“Earned it?” Zayden snorted like she’d told a joke. “Naomi gave you that spot. Don’t y dumb.”

+8 Pearls

When Eliza didn’t answer, Zayden went on, his tone harsh. “Eliza, you know this is a city–levelpetition. You might be okay with the humiliation, but I’m not, and the school isn’t either! What if you bomb the test–have you thought about the consequences?”

His raised voice was starting to draw attention.

More students trickled out of the ssroom to see what was going on.

One of them chimed in, “Yeah, Eliza. This is seriously out of line. You’re dragging down the whole school’s reputation.”

“Eliza didn’t even score higher than me on thest math exam. If shepetes, people’ll think anyone off the street can get into Townsville High.”

“Some girls will do anything to chase a guy. Don’t they have any bshame/b?”

Naomi stepped out from the crowd and moved to defend her.

“Guys, don’t say that about my sisterb,/b” she said sweetly. “This mathpetition really is a great opportunity. It makes sense that my sister would want to try. If she does well, it’ll help her

“Cores. I totally understand.”

She reached out, btook /bEliza’s bhand/b, and smiled. “Sis, go ahead and take the test. I’m bgiving /bthe spot to you.”

“Naomi, you’re bso /bgenerous. Too bad someone doesn’t appreciate it.”

“Seriously, how can two people from the same bwomb /bturn out so different?”

The voices buzzed around her, but Eliza didn’t react.

Naomi’s eyes shed with smug satisfaction..

bShe /bknew Eliza was insecure. She figured Eliza would run off crying any second now,

But instead, Eliza held onto Naomi’s hand and bsaid/b, “Naomi, I know you’re going abroad next year. You don’t bneed /bSAT scores, so you bgave /bme the opportunity instead. I won’t waste it. I’ll make sure the school is proud.”

Naomi’s smile froze

How did Eliza know their parents bhad /balready secured her a spot at a school boverseas/bb? /b

“You’re going babroad/b?” Zayden turned to Naomi, bsurprised/b.

She had never mentioned that before.

Other students started murmuring.

“Naomi, you’re studying abroad next year? When did that bhappen/b?”

Chapter 7 Give Naomi Her Spot Back

“Yeah, weren’t we all supposed to be prepping for bthe /bSAT together?”

“Want did you already get the study abroad slot?”

The chatter grew louder.

Everyone knew there was only one guaranteed study abroad slot per ss.

It usually wasn’t confirmed until senior year, when the application process officially began.

But they were only juniors–and Naomi balready /bhad it locked bdown/b!

Their expressions shifted.

They all bknew /bNaomi and Zayden came from moneyb, /bwhich naturally set them apart.

But Naomi had always acted humble, easy to get along with, and that’s why they liked her.

Still… who wouldn’t want that study abroad sport

If it was already decided in her favor, it wasn’t fair.

And kids at that age didn’t take well to unfairness.

+8 Pearls

“No, it’s not like that. It’s my parents. I didn’t even want to… Please don’t misunderstand, Naomi stammered, biting her lip.

Sensing the shift in the crowd, Zayden finally spoke up. “ss is about to start. Get back inside. Don’t crowd the hallway.”

The students returned to their seats, but not without a few lingering looks.

As Naomi turned to leave, she threw a furious re at Eliza.

bEliza /bacted like she didn’t notice…

y innocent? bI /bcan do that too.

Let Naomi be the ss viin this time.

The girl who stole everyone’s study abroad slot? No one’s rooting for her.

“Eliza, stop

Zayden’s voice was sharp and cold

Once the others had filed back into ss, only he and Eliza remained at the door.

She looked at him nkly. “What is it, ss rep?”

Her change in tone made him take a breath before replying, “My mom wants to see you tonight. Get ready.

“Okay”

Eliza turned to leave.

Zayden frowned. “That’s all you’ve got to say?”

“What else should I say?”

Zayden didn’t know how to banswer/b.

In the past, if Eliza found out his mother wanted to meet herb, /bshe bwould’ve /blit up with barely concealed excitement.

bBut /bthis time, she looked like she’d already expected it. Not a flicker of emotion

“My mom’s upset because I mentioned calling all the engagement yesterday. Try to smooth things over tonight.”

Chapter 7 Give Naomi Her Spot Back

Whatever else you could say about Eliza, she had always been good with adults–especially his mother.

She used to give shoulder bmassages/b, make tea, run errands everything to please her.

Now, Zayden said it like it was her job.

Eliza raised a brow. “You upset your mother, and you expect me to cheer her up?”

“You–Zayden started, wanting to say That’s what you always do, but the bell rang before he could finish

Eliza bwas /balready back in her seat.

That cold indifference on her face made Zayden feel like something was pressing down on his chest, suffocating.

What happened to her?

Was she just pretending not to care?

As ss neared the end of the day, the homeroom teacher appeared at the door band /bwaved to Eliza.

“Eliza,e fill this out. Once it’s confirmed, sign it.”

“Coming

Eliza stood and walked outside.

Zayden’s eyes followed her without thinking.

+8 Pearls

Naomi noticed and scowled. She was still fuming over Eliza revealing her study abroad ns–and now Zayden couldn’t stop

staring?

“What’s Eliza doing bnow/b? Signing forms? Is this babout /bthe mathpetition?” she asked.

Zayden looked away. “No idea. Don’t care.”

But even as he said it, his eyes never stopped ncing toward the door where Eliza stood.