Chapter 7: Rivalries and Revelations

Physical intimacy erases a lot of boundaries. Nick didn’t realize how possessive he’d gotten—his arm around me in the halls, eyes hardening if anyone looked too long.

But Rachel noticed. She could feel the shift. The group’s balance was off.

After another night with Nick, Rachel cornered me in the girls’ bathroom, the tiles cold beneath my sneakers, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead.

She stared at the faint hickey on my collar, anger flaring in her eyes, but her voice came out sharp and biting: "Wow, Jamie, don’t you ever get bored of being his side chick?"

I calmly buttoned my collar, glancing up at her with a smile.

"If I don’t spend my energy on my boyfriend, where else should I spend it?"

"Spend it on—" I dragged the word out. "Studying?"

The message was clear: a guy, or grades. Rachel could only have one.

Rachel’s face twisted. Besides the anger, there was something else in her eyes—a look that said, ‘Just you wait.’

That day, Rachel retreated, mascara smudged and jaw clenched. I savored my tiny victory, knowing the real payback was still coming.