chapter three

The next day at school started on a sour note. As soon as I stepped through the doors, Anna rushed up to me, clutching her iPad tightly like it was a lifeline. 

 "How are we looking?" I asked, trying to stay positive. 

 She adjusted her glasses and scrolled through her data. "Yesterday was great. You were at the top of the running list. No worthy competition." 

 I smiled, relieved. "And today?" 

 Her hesitation was all the answer I needed. 

 "Anna?" 

 She glanced at me nervously. "You're in second place today, but there's nothing to worry about! We still have five days until the votes roll in. Plenty of time to shift things in our favor." 

 But I had stopped listening the moment she said *second place*. My gut twisted, and I already knew who was sitting smugly in first. 

 "Who's first?" I asked, though I dreaded the answer. 

 "Josh Salvatore," she replied, confirming my worst fear. 

 Josh Salvatore. Of course. I had foolishly hoped after last night that he wouldn't stoop this low, but who was I kidding? Josh lived to make my life miserable. 

 "Thanks, Anna," I muttered before walking to class, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. 

 As I neared the classroom, I spotted him, surrounded by his entourage of adoring groupies. He was laughing, looking effortlessly charming, as always. I ignored them and went straight inside, choosing a seat far away from the door. 

 I pulled out my books absently, still fuming, when I heard the scrape of a chair being pulled in front of me. A knock on my desk broke my train of thought. 

 I looked up, and there he was—Josh Salvatore, smiling at me like he hadn't just hijacked my dream. 

 "What do you want?" I asked, my tone flat. "Don't you have anyone else to bother?" 

 "They're no fun," he said, leaning back in his chair. 

 "So?" 

 "So," he echoed, leaning forward with a smirk. "No encouraging speech for your running mate?" 

 "Go to hell." 

 He chuckled, raking a hand through his messy hair before leaning closer. "Why are you so mad? Lighten up, Leah. It's just an election." 

 "Why are you doing this?" I snapped. "You don't even want the position! You're just doing it to spite me." 

 He didn't even bother denying it, nodding with a grin. "I never knew it was a dream of mine until last night. So, really, I have you to thank for opening my eyes." 

 "I *need* this for my college application," I hissed. "You don't! You've got football." 

 "Yeah, but I want something that screams 'serious.' Politics is sexy," he said with a wink. 

 I clenched my fists under the desk. It wasn't possible to hate someone more with every passing second, but somehow, Josh managed to make it happen. 

 "Lighten up," he said casually. "You still have a chance to beat me." 

 We both knew that was a lie. Josh Salvatore wasn't just popular; he was the most adored person in school. Quarterback, golden boy, and the face of every party invite—it wasn't even a competition anymore. 

 I hated him more than ever. "I hate you," I muttered through clenched teeth. 

 Josh grinned. "Tell me something new." 

 "Get out of my face," I snapped, my fists tightening. 

 "Chill, Leah. We have to be civil, remember? Show everyone you're level-headed. A good choice," he said with an infuriating smirk, leaning back like he didn't have a care in the world. 

 I wanted to strangle him. "Screw being civil!" My voice cracked as it rose, drawing a few glances from nearby students. 

 Josh raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but I didn't wait for his response. The heat of embarrassment and anger rushed to my face as I grabbed my bag, storming out of the classroom before I completely lost it. 

 I needed air—space. Somewhere no one could find me. My feet carried me to *our* hidden spot, the place Freya, Nathan, and I used to escape to when the weight of school became too much. The little patch behind the library felt like a safe haven back then, but now it just reminded me of how far things had fallen apart. 

 Once I was alone, I collapsed onto the bench, pulling out my phone to text Freya. 

 **Leah:** *I need you.* 

 The text was short and desperate, but I didn't care. I dropped my phone onto my lap and let the tears come, shoulders shaking as I sobbed. The frustration, humiliation, and sheer exhaustion poured out, and I didn't bother wiping my face. 

 Josh Salvatore had officially broken me.

 "Hey," came a soft voice. 

 I looked up through blurry eyes to see Nathan and Freya standing there, concern etched on their faces. I sniffled and quickly wiped my cheeks.

 "He takes everything from me," I choked out, my voice breaking. "And now he wants this. He knows how much I've wanted this—for as long as I can remember." 

 Freya immediately slid onto the bench beside me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. Nathan crouched in front of me, his hand resting gently on my knee, grounding me. 

 Neither of them said a word. They didn't need to. They just stayed there, holding me as I cried, letting me release every ounce of anger and heartbreak that had built up inside. I was extremely lucky to have them both in my life.

 JOSH

 I leaned back against the cold brick wall, sliding down until i was seated on the ground. The sound of her muffled sobs reached him, sharp and unforgiving, cutting deeper than he cared to admit. He hadn't meant for things to go this far. 

 The plan had seemed harmless—irritating her just enough to keep her attention. It was never supposed to hurt her. He closed his eyes, letting the pain in her voice replay in his mind. He heard shuffle of footsteps—Freya and Nathan—his chest tightened. They hurried to her side, their presence instantly comforting her in a way he couldn't anymore. He peeked around the corner, watching as they wrapped her in their arms. She sobbed openly now, her words cutting him like glass. 

 *"He takes everything from me."* 

 The ache in her voice shattered what little resolve he had left. A sob rose unbidden in his throat, but he bit it back, pressing his fist against his lips to keep from making a sound. 

 He hadn't realized how much he missed them. The four of them had once been inseparable…he still had no clue on how the distance happened, they were good one day and the next, he was alone.

 This wasn't what he wanted. It was never about being class president, or about winning some petty game. He just wanted her to notice him again, to still see him as someone important in her life. Even if it was as the person she hated most. 

 Slowly, i pushed myself up, my movements heavy with guilt. I took one last glance at the trio—at the girl I couldn't stop caring about—and walked away, my heart heavier than ever.