<b>Chapter </b><b>49 </b>


    Frank let out a dramatic wall. “Mr. Goodwin, you’re totally throwing me under the bus!”


    Marvin snorted, unimpressed. “If I didn’t speak up early, I’d be the one getting chewed outter!”


    Briar watched the two bicker in front of Ashton, their yful back–and–forth a clever distraction. She bit back augh and turned to Ashton,


    her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Come on, Ashton, I’m fine. Let’s just drop it, okay?”


    Catching the clear, teasing glint in her gaze, Ashton smiled, his expression softened, a faint warmth in his eyes. “Alright, fine.”


    Frank whipped around instantly, relief flooding his face. “Thank you, Ashton! You’re the best!”


    Briar couldn’t hold it in anymore and let out a shortugh.


    Frank, still grinning, turned to her. “Thanks for sticking up for me, Briar! I owe you one–how about I treat you to something tastyter?”


    Briar waved him off casually. “No need.”


    “If there’s nothing else, I’m heading out,” she said, ncing at Ashton. “Ashton?”


    He nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be at the front gate after ss to pick you up.”


    Briar remembered she’d agreed to have dinner with him tonight.


    “Sounds good.” She gave a quick nod to Marvin and the others before heading out.


    As the door swung shut behind her, she caught Ashton’s voice, praising her to Marvin. “See how polite she is, Mr. Goodwin…”


    His words might’ve been a stretch, but Briar knew he was backing her up, making sure everyone knew she had his support.


    From the principal’s building, it was almost time for afternoon sses. Briar headed straight to the Traditional Medicineb. Swiping her student ID to unlock the door, she hadn’t even stepped into the small office when she overheard voices buzzing about her.


    Mason’s voice carried a mix of awe and disbelief. “For real? Briar’s that badass? She got Ashton to show up?”


    Ted chuckled. “You have <i>no </i>idea. I was gonna tag along with Frank<b>, </b>but when I saw Ashton standing next to Briar, I bolted faster than you can


    blink.”


    Masonughed. “Ha! Bet Frank’s getting an earful from Ashton right now.”


    “Hey, Charle, didn’t <i>you </i>go with Thomas to check on his sister?” Ted nudged Charle with his shoulder. “How’s Lydia doing? Is it bad?”


    Charle shrugged. “It’s her back–couldn’t really see. But Abbie said it’s all bruised up, so it’s probably not light.”


    “Where’s Thomas, though? He’s <i>not </i>back yet?” Mason craned his neck toward the door and froze when he spotted Briar leaning against the frame, arms crossed. He gave an awkward wave. “Oh, uh, hey, Briar!”


    The other two peeked <i>out</i>, surprised. “Briar, why are you just standing there? Come in!”


    Briar sauntered over, greeting them casually. “Hey, guys.”


    The trio hesitated, words catching in their throats, but Briar didn’t give them a chance to pry. She imed an empty chair<b>, </b><b>sprawling </b><b>into </b><b>it </b>with amanding, almost regal air. Something about her cool, unshakable vibe made their questions die unspoken.


    The room fell silent, the atmosphere shifting. Mason and Ted exchanged a nce, both thinking the same thing Briar’s presence was intimidating as hell.


    Ted broke the quiet first, his tone cautious. “So, Briar, any idea where Frank’s at?”


    She was back, but Frank wasn’t. Did Ashton really drag him off for a beating?


    Briar shed a sly smile. “He’s with Ashton in the principal’s office.”


    Mason gasped dramatically. “What? Did Ashtony into him?”


    Briar shook her head, her grin widening. “Not when I left, at least.”


    Just then, Thomas walked in.


    As Abbie’s brother, he looked visibly ufortable when he saw Briar, the tension from her sh with his sister hanging heavy <b>in </b><b>the </b><b>air</b>.


    <b><i>AD </i></b>