When Friends Turn Foes

istance from our lecture room. The Monday morning atmosphere was a

y throat. Ava was accompanied by Juliet, and I feared that Juliet might have already informed Ava

ust below the surface. "Didn't you see that you stepped

er features. "She didn't complain," she r

tead, she hurled the paper at me, her eyes glinting with malice. "And now? Did the paper hurt y

hurt," I stammered, trying to placate her, even as my mind seethed with resentment. I f

etween us, her fingers trailing over my shoulder, tracing a path down my back, and brushing against

ecall sending you an invitation. I only invited people with a higher social standing, so wha

on Friday. This confrontation was the first time I'd see

," Olivia snapped, her anger palpable. "You wan

g people of a certain caliber, those who matter in this

d. I cried out in pain, but my voice was trapped in my throat. Juliet

oice laced with incredulity. "I should let her go?" she repeated, clearly taken aback by Juliet's uncharacterist

Juliet said, her tone measured as she carefully removed Ava's hand from my tangled hair. I seized the opportunity to esca

sudden loss of control over me. With a swift, aggressive motion, Ava slapped Juliet, the sound echoing throu

h a hint of resentment. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met. The anger simmering in her eyes sent a warning signal to my brain

ink hiding behind her will protect you from my wrath, spare you from the humiliation of having yo

and steady. "You wouldn't want to cross the bounda

u do?" she taunted, her hands on her hips, her fingers drumming an impatient rhythm

," she said, her voice measured, her eyes flashing with a hint of warning. She leaned in, her face inches f

om. I didn't hesitate, sprinting after her, desperate to escape Ava's wrath. I knew that if

igmatic expression. "I hope you'll find the courage to be bold when th

ens?" I repeated, seeking clarification. "What exactly do yo

e me. "Are you asking me?" she inquired,

t's just the two of us here, so who else would I

w what it is, but I hope that when it happens, you'll find the strength t

unexpected happens?" I asked, trying to sound braver than I felt. "You're here with me, and I

mained silent, her eyes gleaming with a knowing glin

d she mean by "the unexpected"? I trusted her implicitly, and I knew she wouldn't warn me without a valid reason.

played a role in her unexpected protection? Had he offered her a substantial incentive t

o go, but Olivia's persistence had left me with no choice. She had convinced me that attending