Chapter 68

Yoko

This is it.

The final week before the finals.

The week we've all been dreading, the week that has felt like an impending doom looming over us since the start of the year. But somehow... I don't feel as nervous as I thought I would.

Maybe it's because of the countless nights spent drowning in revision, buried in textbooks and notes, or maybe it's because I've had the best support system—my very own girlfriend, who, despite her questionable chemistry knowledge, has been the most patient, encouraging, and absolute enabler during this hellish period.

Seriously, Faye Peraya, an English Literature teacher, trying to help me with chemistry? I've never seen someone so lost looking at the periodic table in my life.

Right now, I'm finishing up my last lesson of the day—History, which feels like the longest drag imaginable. The teacher is going through the final revision topics, but honestly, my brain is already fried. I just want out.

The second the bell rings, I breathe a sigh of relief, gathering my things and slinging my bag over my shoulder before heading out of the classroom.

I spot my usual gang near the lockers—Ink, Marissa, Big, and a few others, all looking as dead inside as I feel.

"We made it through another day," Ink greets dryly, yawning.

"Barely," I mutter, leaning against the lockers. "How's everyone's revision going?" I ask, more out of curiosity than anything.

"It's going," Big sighs dramatically, "whether or not it's actually entering my brain is a different question."

"If I have to look at one more math formula, I might just cry," Ink groans.

"You guys are lucky," Marissa deadpans, "I am actually failing."

"You're not failing," I say, rolling my eyes.

"I AM," she insists. "I swear my brain refuses to absorb anything. I need, like, a genius tutor or something."

"Yoko, help her," Big nudges me, smirking. "You're top of the class."

I snort, shaking my head. "Marissa, if I have to be your tutor, you will cry."

"Oh, I already cry every night," she says dramatically, "but sure, let's add to my suffering."

Ink laughs, nudging me playfully. "And how's your revision, Miss Top Student?"

"Surviving," I reply, stretching my arms. "Though I think if I stare at one more chemistry equation, I might just set my textbook on fire."

"Ms Tall and Cold can't help you?" Ink teases, lowering her voice.

I shoot her a look. "She is banned from chemistry."

Ink chuckles knowingly, while the rest of them just blink in confusion.

We continue chatting, all of us barely hanging on, the exhaustion of the past few weeks showing on our faces. But we're so close. Just a little more.

And then, we'll finally be free.

After a few more minutes of catching up or, more accurately, commiserating over our collective academic suffering, we all eventually bid each other goodbye, dragging ourselves towards our respective routes home.

I turn on my heel, heading towards Faye's classroom.

The moment I step in, my eyes immediately find her—her figure leaned slightly over her desk, flipping through some documents with that familiar concentrated frown she always has when she's deep in work mode.

My lips curve into a small smile. "Hey, you," I greet, stepping closer.

Faye looks up, her features instantly softening when she sees me. "Hey," she murmurs, closing the file in front of her as I lean against the desk beside her.

"Are you sending me home today?" I ask, tilting my head slightly.

The moment I see her mouth part slightly—hesitating—I already know the answer.

She winces apologetically, her fingers drumming against the desk before she sighs.

"I can't today, love," she says gently. "I have some exam coordination meetings to settle. It's going to take a while."

I blink at her before smiling reassuringly, waving a hand. "It's fine," I say, "I'll just head back on my own."

But Faye still looks guilty.

So I lean forward and press a quick kiss to her lips before pulling back with a grin. "There. You're forgiven."

She laughs softly, shaking her head. "That easy?"

"Nope, you still owe me," I tease, pulling away and adjusting my bag strap. "See you tomorrow, babe."

"See you tomorrow, darling," she murmurs, watching as I walk out.

The moment I step into the hallway, I take a deep breath, stretching my arms as I mentally prepare for the walk home. I make my way towards the school exit, weaving through the slowly thinning crowd of students, my mind already half-focused on what assignments I need to finish tonight.

Then—

I see it.

The black sedan, parked just across the street, in the exact same spot I saw it a few weeks ago.

I slow my steps, my heart thumping slightly faster. It's the same car, I'm sure of it. I don't stop walking, keeping my pace normal, but my eyes flick towards it once more, trying to see if I can make out anything through the tinted windows.

But the car just sits there. No movement. No signs of anyone stepping out.

I exhale slowly, turning my gaze away and continuing forward, my body on high alert, but my mind trying to convince myself that I'm just overthinking it.

Still, I can't shake the feeling that someone's watching.

I keep walking.

My heart is still thudding against my ribs, my mind still preoccupied with the presence of that damn black sedan that's been looming at the edges of my life for weeks now.

I try to shake it off—really, I do. But just as I near the crosswalk, something catches my eye.

The driver-side door of the black sedan swings open.

And stepping out—Blair.

I freeze.

Blair?

I stop at the edge of the sidewalk, my entire body stiffening as I watch her move. She's adjusting something on her wrist, her movements fluid and casual, like she's done this a thousand times before.

And then—she reaches for the car door.

My breath catches.

Because stepping out of the passenger side—Is Allison.

My blood runs cold.

What the fuck?

I stand there, staring in disbelief as Allison straightens her coat, smoothing it over as she briefly says something to Blair.

And Blair—Blair—nods, like it's the most normal thing in the world.

Like she isn't driving the very car that's been following me for weeks. Like she isn't associating with the one person in this world who I never wanted to be in Faye's orbit ever again.

The traffic light changes butI barely register it.

All I can do is stand there—shocked, confused, and utterly fucking stunned—watching my former almost-crush and my girlfriend's toxic ex slip into the same goddamn car and drive away.

I walk home in a daze. My thoughts are racing, tumbling over one another in a mess of uncertainty and unease.

Blair and Allison? Together? Is that what she meant when she said she was dating someone from school?

I try to replay our conversation from the park weeks ago, scouring for details, for anything that might explain what the hell I just saw.

But nothing makes sense.

Blair is with Allison? How? Since when? And more importantly, why was Blair the one driving that car?

I shake my head, gripping my bag tighter as I turn the last corner toward my house.

I'm overthinking. I have to be. Maybe Blair was just giving Allison a ride. Maybe it's nothing.

But then—

The clicking sounds. The black sedan. The constant presence of something lurking, watching, waiting.

I swallow hard, my stomach twisting into a tight knot of unease.

I reach home, automatically greeting Ham as he bounds toward me. He wags his tail enthusiastically, nuzzling his head against my thigh, but I can't even bring myself to play with him the way I usually do.

"Not now, Ham," I murmur, scratching behind his ear absently.

I head inside, setting my bag down, forcing myself to breathe, forcing myself to focus. I have finals next week. I can't afford to spiral right now.

I head to my room, take out my notes, and try—really fucking try—to concentrate. But my eyes keep drifting to my phone.

To Faye's contact. To the thought of telling her what I saw.

But I hesitate. Because if it's nothing, if it's just my mind playing tricks on me, then why should I bother her with this?

I shake my head and try again to study. But the uneasy feeling doesn't leave me. It lingers, like a shadow, like a warning.

...

The next morning, I sit in Faye's class, physically present but mentally absent.

I try to listen, to focus, to absorb whatever she's saying about literary devices, but all I can hear is the nagging voice in my head.

The click of a camera. The black sedan. Blair. Allison.

I shift in my seat, gripping my pen tightly as my thoughts spin in loops, my mind trying to piece together something, anything that makes sense.

Did Blair know about me and Faye? Did Allison tell her? Is that why they were together? Or—

"Yoko."

I blink, my head snapping up. Faye is looking at me, one eyebrow raised, her lips curved into a slight frown.

Shit. I missed something.

The classroom is silent, and I can feel the eyes of my classmates shifting between me and Faye, waiting.

Ink nudges me under the desk. "Earth to Yoko," she mutters. "You're in class, not in whatever alternate universe your brain is in."

I swallow hard, shifting in my seat. "S-Sorry," I mumble.

Faye tilts her head slightly, eyes narrowing in that way that tells me she knows something is off. "Answer the question," she prompts, voice even but curious.

I pause.

I have no idea what the question was. I wasn't listening.... Fuck.

Ink subtly slides her notebook toward me, but it's too late. Faye's already sighing, her fingers tapping against the edge of her desk.

"Stay behind after class," she says simply, moving on.

I shrink into my seat. Ink snorts quietly beside me. I glare at her and she just smirks.

"Dead girlfriend walking," she whispers.

I kick her ankle.

The final bell rings, signaling the end of class—and the end of the day—but for me, it signals something else.

A conversation I may or may not be ready to have.

Ink slings her bag over her shoulder, shooting me a smug grin as she heads for the door. "Good luck, Miss Apasra," she teases in a mockingly formal tone, smirking.

I glare at her. She just wiggles her fingers in a wave and disappears through the door.

The last few students trickle out, and once the room is clear, Faye moves to close the door. The click of the lock sends a ripple of anticipation down my spine.

Then she turns, her keen eyes settling on me, and walks over, taking the seat beside me. She doesn't say anything at first, just watches me, like she's assessing me. Then—

"What happened?" she asks, her voice gentle but firm. "You were completely out of it in class."

I force a light chuckle, trying to play it cool. "Come on," I say, waving a hand dismissively. "I just... spaced out for a bit."

Faye doesn't buy it. Her gaze sharpens, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Yoko," she says, tilting her head slightly. "Try again."

I inhale, exhaling slowly.

It's stupid, right? But, I glance at her, watching the way she's studying me, waiting patiently. And I can't hide it. Not from her. So, I shift in my seat, lowering my voice as I murmur—

"I saw something yesterday."

Faye leans in slightly, her full attention on me now. I hesitate for a moment, gathering my thoughts, and then I just tell her.

About how I left school, about how I saw the black sedan again—the same one I had a weird feeling about weeks ago. And how, this time, I saw Blair getting into the driver's seat. And then, Allison got in, too.

Faye still doesn't react, her face calm, composed. But I know her. I know that stillness.

She's processing. Calculating.  And that scares me more than if she'd just reacted immediately. I watch Faye carefully, searching her expression for any sign of what she's thinking.

"Well?" I prompt, shifting uneasily. "What do you think?"

Faye exhales, her fingers tapping against the desk in a slow, measured rhythm.

"It doesn't make sense," she says finally, her brows furrowing slightly. "Why would Blair follow you? If she's with Allison, and if Allison already knows about us, what's the point?"

That's what I can't figure out either. I chew on my lip, thinking, before voicing my suspicions.

"Maybe... maybe she's just reporting back to Allison," I say carefully. "Like... maybe Allison asked her to keep tabs on me. Or maybe Blair saw something and got involved on her own. Maybe—"

Faye shakes her head, cutting me off gently with a firm look. "No," she says, her voice steady, assuring. "It won't happen, Yoko."

I blink, staring at her. She reaches out, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, her fingers lingering against my cheek.

"You'll be safe," she murmurs. "I promise."

And the way she says it, the certainty in her voice, in her touch—it makes something inside me settle, even if just slightly.

I nod slowly, exhaling. "Okay."

She watches me a moment longer, gauging me, before leaning in to press a soft kiss to my forehead.

Then she pulls back, slipping into her usual teasing smirk. "I'm sending you home today," she says, amused but firm. "So leave first, I'll pick you up at the usual spot."

I roll my eyes at her bossiness but nod anyway. "Got it, Miss Peraya."

She grins, clearly pleased with herself. I grab my bag, heading for the door, but just as I step outside—I see her.

Blair–standing near the school entrance, and she's looking right at me.

I keep my steps measured, steady, despite the unease curling in my stomach.

"Hey," I greet, keeping my voice light, casual—like nothing is wrong.

Blair tilts her head slightly, her lips curling into something that almost looks like amusement.

"Heading home?" she asks.

I nod, shifting my bag higher on my shoulder. "Yeah."

I don't want to prolong this conversation, but I know I have to. I need to figure out what she knows. So I throw the question back. "What about you? Waiting for your partner?"

At that, her expression flickers. Just for a second. Then, smoothly, she answers, "Yeah."

I hum, trying to sound casual, trying to dig. "Oh? Who is it?"

Blair's lips twitch, her eyes sharp. Then—she smiles. And says, so casually, "You saw it yesterday, didn't you?"

I still. My fingers tighten around my bag strap.

And Blair sees it. Of course she does. She watches me with something almost... amused, as if she's playing with me, like this is some kind of game.

But I force myself to stay calm, to not react. I shrug, tilting my head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Blair's smile deepens. "You know," she says, softly, too softly, "people notice things, Yoko."

A chill crawls down my spine. I meet her gaze, my mind racing, my pulse quickening.

She knows. Or at least—she thinks she does. So I drop the act. I let my shoulders square, my voice cooling.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask, my words firm, demanding.

Blair just tilts her head, smiling so calmly, so eerily. And then, She simply shrugs. Blair's smile lingers, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"You know, Yoko," she muses, tilting her head slightly, "I always wondered why you kept your distance."

My jaw tightens. Blair steps closer, lowering her voice like we're exchanging some kind of dark secret.

"But now I understand," she says, almost sweetly. "It must be so... disheartening, really."

I frown, my patience thinning. "What are you talking about?"

Her eyes gleam. "You and Ms. Peraya, of course."

My stomach drops. Every part of me wants to deny it, to fight it, but the way she's looking at me—like she already knows—makes my fingers curl into fists.

"How do you—"

"Come on, Yoko." Blair laughs softly, shaking her head. "I'm not an idiot. You think people don't notice? You think people don't see?"

I stare at her, my chest tightening, my heart hammering.

Blair takes another step forward, voice dipping into something almost gentle. "I really, really like you, you know?" she murmurs.

I freeze.

The confession doesn't move me. It doesn't flatter me. It only makes my blood boil.

"So that's why?" I snap, my voice sharp. "That's why you're with Allison?"

Blair's expression remains placid, unreadable. "Maybe," she says lightly. Then, she shrugs. "But mostly because Allison confirmed it for me."

Something cold slides down my spine. "What do you mean?" I demand.

Blair smiles. So softly. So casually. "She told me everything," she says. "And she made me a deal."

My fingers curl tighter. "What deal?"

Blair's eyes flicker with something dangerous. "If I prove it," she says, "if I give her the evidence she needs—"

I already know. I already fucking know. But hearing it? Hearing her say it—

"She'll make sure I graduate as top of our cohort."

A cold, sharp realization crashes over me–The camera clicking. The uneasy feeling. The watching eyes. It was her.

It was Blair all along.

I can't move. I can't breathe. The words echo in my head, over and over, like a cruel joke I can't laugh at.

Blair was the one taking the photos. Blair was the one following me. Blair was the one working with Allison.

I swallow hard, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

And she—she has the audacity to smile.

"Don't look so tense, Yoko," Blair hums, tilting her head like she's amused. "You make it sound so bad."

I scoff, my jaw clenching as I force out, "It is bad."

Blair sighs dramatically, shaking her head. "I don't think so."

She lifts a shoulder, casual, composed, like she's talking about the weather and not about the fact that she's trying to ruin my life.

"I mean, if you think about it, isn't it fitting?" she muses. "You're with Ms. Peraya. I'm with Principal Allison."

My stomach twists. I hate the way she says it. Like it's some kind of mirrored equation, like we're the same.

"We're not the same," I snap.

Blair lifts an eyebrow. "Aren't we?"

"No," I spit, my voice shaking. "You're using your relationship for a goddamn deal. I actually love Faye."

Blair laughs, soft and mocking. "And you think Allison isn't offering the same thing to Ms. Peraya?"

I freeze.

Her smile widens. "Oh, you didn't know?"

Something icy spreads through my veins.

"Yoko," she sighs, shaking her head like she pities me. "You're so naïve."

My blood boils. I step forward, my voice low and sharp. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Blair shrugs, looking completely unbothered. "Just that Allison isn't stupid," she says simply. "You really think she'd just let Ms. Peraya off the hook?"

I stiffen, my fingers curling tighter. She leans in, lowering her voice like she's about to share a secret.

"Allison isn't interested in getting Ms. Peraya fired," she murmurs. "She's interested in getting her on her side."

My heart hammers. "What?"

Blair tilts her head, smug. "You heard me."

I shake my head. "That's not—she wouldn't—"

Blair laughs. "Wouldn't she?"

My breathing is uneven. My mind is racing.

I trust Faye. I do. But Allison is Allison. And Faye—I remember the last conversation we had.

The way she told me to stay careful. The way she looked at me like she was hiding something. Was she... was she hiding something?

I swallow hard.

Blair watches me, her smile never faltering. Like she's won.

But I can't breathe. My skin is crawling.

This can't be happening.

"What do you want, Blair?" My voice comes out shaky, but I force it to be firm.

She tilts her head, her smug expression never faltering. Then—she simply says it.

"I want you."

My stomach lurches. She steps closer, and I step back, but she doesn't stop.

"You heard me," she hums, her voice smooth, calm—too calm. "I don't care about Allison. I don't care about anything else. I just want you, Yoko."

I freeze, my throat closing. "You're insane," I whisper.

Blair laughs. "Am I?"

She leans in, eyes dark, hungry. "You don't really have a choice here," she murmurs. "Break up with Ms. Peraya. Be with me instead."

My entire body tenses. "Or what?"

Blair smirks. "Or I'll release the images."

A cold wave crashes over me. I stagger back, my breath hitching. "What?"

She tilts her head. "Oh, come on, Yoko. You're smart. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

My stomach plummets. The camera clicks. The following. The way she knew about Faye and me. Blair has photos.

Intimate ones. Ones that will ruin Faye. Ones that will destroy me.

"You..." My voice shakes. "You've been—"

She laughs, taking another step closer. "You should've chosen me, Yoko," she purrs. "I wouldn't have had to do this if you had."

My mind is spinning, my hands shaking, my chest tight with sheer terror. She corners me against the hood of her car, her hands caging me in.

"Don't look so scared, Yoko," she coos. "I'm offering you a way out. I won't release anything if you just... come with me."

I clench my jaw. "Never."

She chuckles, like she expected that answer. "You'll change your mind."

She leans in. Her breath is too close. Her lips are too near. A sharp, visceral disgust floods my entire being.

And that is when I snap.

I grab her wrist, twisting it hard, making her yelp. Then, I shove her back with all my strength. She stumbles, nearly tripping, but I don't stay to watch.

I run. My feet pound against the pavement, my pulse thundering in my ears as I sprint toward the school.

Faye.

I need Faye. I don't stop running. Not even when I hear Blair cursing behind me. Not even when my lungs are burning.

I dash through the corridors, ignoring the startled looks of students who haven't left yet.

Then—I burst into Faye's classroom. She's at her desk, looking up instantly, her brows furrowing the moment she sees me.

My hands are shaking. My lungs are burning. My heart is slamming against my ribcage like it's trying to break free.

The moment the door clicks shut, I turn—and collapse into Faye's arms.

"Yoko—?"

She barely has time to react before I cling to her, burying my face into her shoulder, my breath coming out in sharp, uneven gasps.

I can't breathe. I can't think. I can't—

"Hey, hey, hey," Faye soothes, instantly wrapping her arms tight around me, one hand cradling my head, the other rubbing slow, firm circles down my back. "It's okay, baby. Breathe. I'm here."

I shake, my fingers clutching at her shirt, like if I let go, I'll fall apart completely.

She rocks me gently, pressing light kisses to the side of my head, coaxing me to breathe with her. "Inhale," she murmurs, pressing a soft kiss against my temple. "Exhale."

I try. But my chest is tight. My mind is racing. My whole body still feels like it's frozen in fear.

Faye just coos sweetly, whispering my name like a lifeline, like a steady anchor keeping me from drifting too far into the storm.

"Shh, love," she hums, stroking my hair, her lips ghosting against my forehead. "I've got you. You're safe."

Her warmth seeps through me, grounding me, easing the chaos in my head. And finally, after what feels like forever—my breathing starts to slow.

Faye waits. Patiently. Tenderly. Until I feel steady enough to pull back slightly.

She cups my face, tilting my chin up to meet her worried gaze. "What happened?" she asks softly, searching my eyes. "Talk to me, baby."

I swallow hard, my throat dry.

And finally, I tell her everything.

From the camera clicks. The black sedan. Blair. Allison. The deal. The threats. The photos.

I watch as Faye's expression darkens. Her hand tightens on my waist, her jaw locking in sheer rage. But she doesn't interrupt. She just listens.

And when I finish—I can't hold back the fear that leaks into my voice.

"What are we going to do?"

Faye takes one deep breath. And then—she cups my face again, firm, reassuring, like she's telling me, I've got you. You're not alone in this.

Her thumb strokes my cheek, voice steady when she finally speaks.

"We'll get them, baby." Her eyes burn with fierce determination. "We don't let them win."

...

The drive to Faye's house is silent. But not cold. Not distant.

It's quiet, yet filled with so much warmth, so much reassurance—because Faye never once lets go of my hand.

Even as she drives, her fingers lace through mine, squeezing gently every few minutes, like she's telling me, I'm here. You're safe. We're going to be okay.

I stare out the window, trying to steady my breathing, but my mind is spiraling.

The threats. The photos. The way Blair looked at me—so calm, so certain, so fucking manipulative. And Allison.

God.

The moment we pull into Faye's driveway, I feel a lump rising in my throat again.

Faye parks, turns off the engine, and tilts her head towards me, giving my hand another squeeze. "Let's get inside, love."

She gets out first, circling to my side to open the door for me. Her other hand settles protectively on my lower back as she guides me inside, like she knows I'm still on shaky legs, like she knows I need every ounce of grounding right now.

The moment we step in, Faye doesn't waste time.

She closes the door, locks it, then swiftly moves to the windows, pulling the curtains shut one by one. Ensuring absolute privacy. Ensuring I feel safe.

And fuck—I do. I really do.

By the time she returns, I'm still standing there, feeling small. Feeling scared. Feeling like a burden. She notices immediately.

"Baby," she coos softly, reaching for me. "Come here."

And just like that—I crumble. I throw myself into her arms, hugging her tight, burying my face into her neck, and sobbing.

"What if they fire you?" I choke out. "What if they ruin everything, Faye? What if—"

"Shhh, love," she murmurs, pressing kiss after kiss against my temple, my forehead, my cheeks. "That's not going to happen." Her voice is steady. Certain.

I shake harder against her. "But if they—"

"Listen to me."

She pulls back slightly, cupping my face, her thumbs wiping away my tears, her gaze burning into mine.

"I knew this was going to happen."

I freeze.

"What—"

"Did you really think Allison would let us off that easily?" Her lips curl slightly, but there's no amusement—just sharp, knowing understanding. "She's always been this way. Manipulative. Calculated. She's the kind of person who plays the long game."

I swallow, my stomach twisting. "Then why didn't you tell me?" I whisper.

Faye sighs. "Because I didn't want you to be scared. And because I knew, no matter what happened, I'd be ready for it."

She leans in, pressing her forehead to mine. "And I am ready, baby."

My breath shakes. "But—"

"We're going to fight them."

Her hands slide down, gripping my waist, anchoring me.

"Blair's threats don't hold up. And Allison?" Faye's lips curl into something colder—sharper.

"If she wanted to report me, she would've done it months ago. Instead, she's been playing around, using Blair as her little pawn. But here's the thing, Yoko—"

Faye leans in, voice dropping into something quieter. Something dangerous. "Blair and Allison aren't untouchable."

I stare, my heart thudding.

"We can turn this around."

"How?"

"Blair's the one who's been stalking you, taking unsolicited photos, and trying to blackmail you. And Allison?" She exhales sharply, her jaw clenching. "She's in a relationship with a student."

My stomach flips.

Faye cups my cheek, stroking it softly, her voice gentle again. "We'll handle this, baby. Together."

I exhale shakily, searching her gaze. I see nothing but certainty. Nothing but love. I close my eyes, leaning into her touch. And for the first time tonight—I start to breathe again.

Faye doesn't stop reassuring me. She keeps me wrapped up in her warmth, her hands softly stroking my back, her voice soothing, patient.

"You don't have to think about it, love," she murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. "Leave it to me, okay? I'll talk to Engfa about it."

I blink. "Engfa?"

"Yes, baby." She pulls back slightly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, her fingers lingering on my cheek. "You do remember she's an attorney, don't you?"

A breathless laugh escapes me. "Oh, right."

She smirks, brushing her nose against mine. "So you don't have to worry about anything."

But I frown, biting my lip. "I still want to help."

Faye exhales, like she expected me to say that.

"And you will," she assures me, cupping my jaw, her thumb tracing my bottom lip. "When Engfa needs to ask you everything, that'll be your time to help. Until then?"

She tilts her head slightly, her voice dipping into something softer. "I need you to focus on your finals, love."

My lips part, but before I can protest, she leans in, kissing me so tenderly that my thoughts scatter.

"Don't let this waver your focus," she whispers against my lips. "You've worked so hard for this, baby. You deserve to give it your all."

I exhale shakily, nodding. "I'll try..."

"Good."

She kisses me again—deeper, slower, before pulling back and running her hands up and down my arms.

"Come," she murmurs. "Let's take a warm shower to calm you down."

I nod again, letting her lead me.

The moment we step inside, Faye turns on the warm water, steam slowly filling the air as she pulls me close, holding me under the shower spray.

The warmth relaxes me almost immediately, but nothing—nothing—compares to the way Faye holds me.

Her hands trailing over my skin, her lips pressing soft, lingering kisses to my shoulders, my temple, my forehead.

Like she's reminding me. Like she's telling me, I'm here. I've got you. I'll keep you safe.

And I let myself breathe again.