Beneath the Stares / Chapter 3: Shadows at Home
Beneath the Stares

Beneath the Stares

Author: Kathleen Chen

Chapter 3: Shadows at Home

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“Why?”

My voice trembled, barely more than a whisper, but it felt deafening in the silence. Savannah blinked, caught off guard, like she never expected me to say a word.

Smack!

Tyler suddenly rushed over and shoved me hard.

“Are you sick, Lila?”

His eyes flashed—anger, maybe, or shame. The room gasped. I stumbled back, catching myself on the corner of a desk.

“I told you to drop it.”

I stared at Tyler in disbelief.

“You know how much I need this.”

The itching was unbearable. I clenched my teeth, trying not to scratch, but my eyes burned with tears.

It was supposed to be mine.

He was class president—he knew how hard I’d worked these last six months.

“The last point went to Savannah.”

Tyler jerked his arm away from me, impatient.

He looked everywhere but at me, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle twitch. He looked like he wanted to vanish.

I still wanted to say something, but the kitten in Savannah’s arms suddenly screeched and leapt away.

I dodged, but Savannah, startled, banged her elbow on my desk, her arm turning red and swollen.

“Ty!”

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