[CONTENTID1]Chapter 25[/CONTENTID1]

[CONTENTID2]Recap: 

In the end, there was both good news, and bad news. Good news, I got put behind Suho. The bad news? Kai and Youngjae got put on the other side of the classroom. Oh. Right. Also, 

My seatmate is Luhan. 

And he seems to have gotten encouraged to continue our conversation two days ago in the library. 

End of Recap. 

"So, Phoenix!" Luhan's cheery voice vibrates through my head. I wince, knowing that I had no way out of this. Baekhyun wasn't here, and Suho couldn't help me—not when the teacher is in front of us. "Long time no see, huh?" 

"Yeah," I mutter, cursing my luck. Of all people I could've sat next to, why Luhan? Noting that half of the class was staring intently at us, I choose my words carefully. "Last time we had an actual conversation, it didn't end so well." 

"That's what I wanted to talk about," Luhan's voice drops in a whisper. His cheerful façade was replaced with a worried expression, eyes filled with regret. 

I would've believed it. 

But I know how much of a monster he was. 

"Look," I growl, frustrated with him. Couldn't he get a hint and stay away from that topic? Lowering my voice, I made sure I wasn't heard by Suho. "It's all in the past. I'm not as stupid anymore. Don't bother trying to make up for it—it's too late, and we both know you're lying." Lying my head down, I blocked out everything in the classroom: our teacher's lecture, the intense stares, Suho's glances, and Luhan's nudges. 

I'm not going to fall into his trap again.  

Not now, not ever. 

He doesn't bother me for the rest of class. However, the silence was short lived, as when lunch came around, he tries to approach me again.  

"Phoenix, I—" Luhan yells at me desperately, dodging everyone in the hallways. There was such a big crowd moving to the cafeteria, it was hard to keep up. "Phoenix, listen!" 

Grabbing Suho's and Kai's hand, I was more determined than ever to get into the Student Council Room and avoid Luhan. We had been eating there more frequently, to get away from him. I found it less welcoming than the cafeteria, but there was no other place to eat in peace. 

"Do you want me to handle him?" Kai asks me. "Give me the word and I'll pound his pretty face in five seconds flat." I shake my head, hope blooming in my chest once we reached the Student Council Room. Pushing the two in there, I close the door with a resounding slam once I found that Luhan was nowhere to be seen. 

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