“Claire, you’re such a buzzkill, you know that?”

Tabitha sniped.

She thought Claire was ruining the vibe.

Every time the group wanted to do something fun, Claire had to be the contrarian.

“I’m just being honest, don’t take it personally.”

Lily tugged on Tabitha’s sleeve. “Tabitha, don’t be mean. Geniuses like her operate on a different wavelength than us mere mortals.”

“Maybe she just doesn’t want to hang out with a bunch of idiots.”

If Tabitha was being direct, Lily was being downright passive-aggressive.

Ethan opened his mouth to defend Claire again, but Priscilla beat him to it. “Tabitha, Lily, cut it out.”

“Look what time it is. We’re all exhausted. Is it really that weird to not want to go out?”

Priscilla crossed her arms. “I don’t want to go out either. Does that make me some arrogant genius, too?”

“If you want to keep partying, go for it. But don’t force everyone else to tag along.” Seeing Priscilla getting defensive, Macy stepped in to mediate.

“Priscilla, don’t get mad. Tabitha and Lily probably just really wanted Claire to hang out with us.”

“We’re all classmates, and there are only a few girls in our major to begin with.”

“It’s totally normal for them to want her to stick around.”

“They might not have said it the right way, but their hearts are in the right place.”

Claire leveled a mocking smile at Macy. “Oh? And just how good are their hearts?” Macy’s smile froze.

She hadn’t expected Claire to fire back at her.

Lily and Tabitha immediately bristled. “Macy, stop talking to her. Look at the way she’s staring down at us.”

“If she doesn’t want to hang out, fine! Who needs her anyway!”

Satisfied that the two of them had finally dropped the polite act, Claire turned and walked away.

Priscilla jogged to catch up with her. “Claire!”

Claire glanced back. “Why did you leave? You should have gone out with them.”

“It’s fine, I didn’t want to go anyway.” Priscilla honestly admired Claire’s attitude.

If she didn’t want to do something, she just said no, completely unbothered by what people whispered behind her back.

Priscilla wished she could be like that; instead, she always worried about what others thought of her.

“They wanted me to go, and I didn’t know how to turn them down.”

“So when I chased after you, I just used the excuse that I was worried about you walking back to campus alone.”

Claire hadn’t expected her to use such a flimsy excuse.

“I’m perfectly safe by myself.” They weren’t far from campus; it was only a ten- minute walk back.

It was still early, and she stuck to the main roads. The chances of running into danger were slim to none.

And even if she did run into trouble, it wouldn’t be her who ended up in the hospital.

Claire was a highly skilled fighter, not to mention the set of silver needles she carried everywhere.

If some idiot actually tried to mess with her, she’d make them regret it.

“I know, but I was scared to walk back alone. Being with you makes me feel safer.”

Priscilla justified her cowardice with absolute confidence.

Claire couldn’t argue with that.

“You stood up for me back there and

pissed

your roommates. Aren’t

You’re going to make worried your life miserable

Claire knew dorm life was easier when

e1

el studies content. wone got along. Anet

environment could seriously

Priscilla stayed quiet.

She wanted a peaceful dorm, too.

When they first met, she thought they were all easy to get along with.

But after orientation, her opinions

changed. Lily was cheap and

constantly took advantage, of

people. Tabitha had no filter and

constantly ran her mouth. Macy was

perfectly fine on the surface.

But she was a chronic peacekeeper, always stepping into the middle of everyone

else’s drama.

And sometimes, that just backed Priscilla into an uncomfortable corner.