Leons pov ...
It's been two days since she last came to class.Julian said she's just too lazy to show up—but honestly? That's hard to believe.She's probably hiding.Even Roman hasn't seen her at home, which is... weird. You'd think he'd mention something, but he's surprisingly calm about the whole Julian situation.Still, the days feel a bit off without her. She hasn't been out with us either. Not once.We've been hanging out, same old routine, but— It's different without her. Not that anyone's saying it.She's always been like that, I guess—disappearing when things get too loud.
Daphne's POV
It's been two days since I went back to school or really hung out with anyone. I've barely been home either.I didn't mean to avoid them. I just… needed a break.
Ms. Evermore called me this morning though—told me to start showing up at least a few days. After that, I could do whatever.
Today's a good day anyway. Mom and Dad are both away for business, so I can finally take my baby to school. My motobike I call her Princess cheesy I know but it works.I just have to leave after Roman heads out.
JJ said he'd bring his motorbike, and we'd ride together.He called earlier, told me to meet him at the gas station near campus, and then we'd go from there.
When we got to uni, we sat by the steps and ate the sandwiches we picked up at the gas station. The others hadn't shown up yet.JJ called them.
Cami and Cass said they'd come after lunch, and the guys were "gonna be in 5," whatever that means.
"Hi, guys. Cami and Cass ditched, so I had to come alone. You know how much I hate driving," Liv said dramatically as she dropped into the seat next to mine.
"You know you can just ask me to drive you, right?" I told her, raising an eyebrow.
"I didn't think you'd show up today either. Also, pass me a sandwich," she added, like she hadn't just ignored me completely.
"You know there's this thing called a phone call?" JJ muttered, handing her the last sandwich.
"Mmm, this is actually good. Who made it?" Liv asked through a bite.
"Got it from the gas station," I said casually.
She immediately made a face. Figures.Liv doesn't do gas station food. She's a pretty, privileged princess—down to the core.
In the classroom...
Eleanor was clearly in a bad mood. So bad that even JJ didn't dare test her.He was unusually quiet. Focused. Not even cracking jokes. Meanwhile, I… dozed off. Big mistake.
"Ms. Lyr." Her voice snapped through the air like a whip.
"After missing two full days of class, you show up just to fall asleep? Where is the bare minimum respect I deserve?"
Shit. She was really pissed. "I'm sorry, ma'am," I mumbled, sitting up straight.
"This isn't the first time you've pulled something like this. Tell me, where was I last? What was I explaining?"
"I… I don't remember, Miss. Come on, I said I'm sorry."
But she didn't stop. She kept going—talking about attitude, commitment, how I "used to be better than this."
And I don't know what happened. I just… snapped.
"I said I'm sorry!" I blurted. "Why do I have to keep apologizing? I left, okay? I slept! I'm tired! I get it, I messed up—what more do you want from me?!" Her face hardened.
"Ms. Lyr, out of the class. Now."
I stood, grabbed my bag, and stormed toward the door.
"Fine. I'm going home. Suit yourself, ma'am," I muttered, my voice sharp and breaking all at once.
Just as I was leaving, I heard Julian behind me—his voice cracking through the tension like glass:
"Just apologize, Daph—please!"
I went to the washroom, splashed cold water on my face, tried to pull myself together.But I was already sobbing. And I didn't even know why.
Just as I was about to leave, Leo stepped in, blocking the door.
"Was that really about you apologizing for sleeping, or for leaving, Daph?" he asked, his voice low but pointed."When are you going to stop being selfish? You didn't have to yell at Eleanor. You know—before she's family, she's also a teacher. Come back and apologize."
I looked away, chest tightening.
"And what do you think Cameron is going to say?" he went on. "She's his fiancée. He's also your cousin. You need to start respecting people."
I clenched my jaw. "Leo, just stop. Please. I need to be alone right now."
He didn't budge.
"I don't want to argue with you," I continued, voice trembling. "But with you—it's always me who's wrong. Always me fixing everything. I'm tired. I'm tired of making amends and bending backwards."
I took a deep breath, steady but sharp.
"You want to talk to me? Then talk. You don't? Then don't.I'm not forcing you.But this time—it's me who's angry.And I won't be the one apologizing.You will."
I walked past him, not looking back. I grabbed my bike and rode out.
JJ always says it's dangerous—don't drive when you're angry, Daph. And maybe he's right.
So instead of risking another accident, or worse, I parked near the bar and went inside.Just to cool off.Just to breathe.
I turned my phone off. I already knew what was waiting—Cameron's calls, Eleanor's wrath.But I wasn't ready for any of it.
I'm not going home today. Not like this.
Sipping my drink, I stared blankly at the wall in front of me. Lately, life's just been… heavy.
I've been more stressed than I'd like to admit. Tired of being told I'm wrong—over and over again.
But was I, really? Was I wrong for prioritizing myself for once?
Before I left this place… I was spiraling. I didn't hang out with them. I wasn't me.I was stuck with the wrong crowd, doing things I'm still not proud of.So I left—because I needed change.I needed space to become someone better.
It had been five or six hours since I got here. Good thing I'd made myself a room at the bar—a quiet escape when life became too loud.Julian had one too, but he only ever used his for special occasions.
Me? I used mine when I needed to breathe.
Eventually, I reached for my phone. I thought of calling Eleanor to apologize—Until I saw the mess waiting for me.
10+ missed calls.
JJ.
Liv.
Camille.
All blowing up my messages.
And then there was Roman's voice message:
"Daphne Ivy Lyr, you better pick up the damn phone before I call Mom and Dad. Or I will f—ing kill you."
I almost laughed. Almost.
Mason had texted, "Where the hell are you? Don't make me drag you back."Cass had sent something more chill: "Hey, just checking in. You good?" And Leon?
Leon was silent. Not a call. Not a message. Ugh, why do I care? I'm still mad at him.
I sighed and dialed Eleanor's number.
She picked up, but didn't say a word.
"…Hi, Elle," I said quietly."I'm sorry. Really. I didn't mean what I said—I wasn't even mad at you.The anger… it was about something else entirely.Punish me however you want tomorrow. I deserve it."
A pause.Then her voice came through, calm but tired.
"You're forgiven. But yeah, there's a punishment.I can't give you detention—but I expect better from you, Daph. No more past behavior.No more mistakes, okay?"
I nodded even though she couldn't see me."Yes, Elle. I promise. I'll even apologize to you in front of the class."
"I won't be in tomorrow," I added, "but I'll come the day after."
There was silence again. Something felt off."…Elle? Is something bothering you?"
She exhaled.
"You know, Daph… I'd never have a problem with you dozing off in class.You've done that since the first day I started teaching."
"But things between Cam and me… haven't been great.We had a fight this morning.And, well… it's been a lot."
And just like that, our conversation shifted. We ended up talking for nearly an hour.
About class. About Cameron. About things we didn't tell anyone else.
After I hung up with Eleanor, I sat there for a minute, staring at my phone.Then I opened JJ's chat.
"I'm sorry, JJ. I should've replied. I just… needed a little space. I'll call you later, okay? I promise."
Then one by one, I messaged the rest:
"I'm fine. Just busy with work stuff. Couldn't reply earlier. Don't worry."
It was half true.I was working—on myself. On not breaking again.
I put my phone down, letting the screen go dark.For now, I just needed silence.Not to explain.Not to apologize again.Just a few hours where I could exist without feeling like I was failing someone.
I curled up on the couch, the lights dimmed, and for the first time in days…
I let myself rest.
I curled into the silence, heart still aching. Maybe this peace wouldn't last. Maybe tomorrow would be chaos again. But tonight… tonight, I chose me. And I wasn't sorry.
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