I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 107

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**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 107**

Talya had reluctantly given in to her grandparents’ insistence to skip school on Tuesday. They meant well, of course, and she appreciated their concern, but the truth was that she still worked her evening shifts. She didn’t want to burden Joe, her boss, with her absence. Yet, deep down, she knew she wasn’t quite ready to face the world at school. The thought of seeing everyone—of facing their gazes—felt like an insurmountable mountain.

But by Wednesday morning, something shifted within her. A small voice urged her to confront her fears head-on. She couldn’t hide forever. Grandpop, with his gentle, reassuring smile, drove her to school. The ride was slower than usual, but there was a comforting rhythm to it, a welcome change from the chaos of her thoughts. As he dropped her off, Talya felt a mix of dread and determination wash over her.

As she approached the school building, a familiar hand slipped through her arm, anchoring her. It was Sage, her steadfast friend, and at that moment, Talya couldn’t have been more grateful.

“You ready for this?” Sage asked, her voice a blend of encouragement and understanding. Talya nodded, though the knot in her stomach twisted tighter.

“I got your back,” Sage affirmed, her grip tightening reassuringly.

“Thank you,” Talya replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She drew in a deep breath, trying to quell the storm of emotions swirling inside her. She longed to feel confident again, to reclaim the girl she used to be before everything changed. But the fear of that girl being lost forever loomed large in her mind.

Once inside the building, the atmosphere felt suffocating. As she stepped into the main hallway, it felt as if every pair of eyes was trained on her. Maybe they were; she couldn’t bring herself to look up and confirm. Instead, she focused on her locker, retrieving her books with mechanical precision, desperate to avoid any confrontation.

When she arrived at her classroom, her heart sank. There was Brandon, leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms wrapped possessively around Stephanie. A wave of anger and hurt surged within her, but before she could process it, Sage gave her a gentle push, urging her forward. Talya’s legs, stiff and reluctant, carried her into the room, and she was relieved to sink into the safety of her seat.

Sage slid into the seat beside her, leaning in to whisper, “Game face.”

Talya took another deep breath, pushing her tumultuous emotions aside. She would deal with them later, in the solitude of her thoughts. Right now, she needed to survive the class without succumbing to tears or the urge to hurl something at Brandon. The unpredictability of her emotions left her feeling like she was walking a tightrope, ready to tumble at any moment.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of first period, and Talya seized the opportunity to escape the classroom. The next three hours dragged on like an eternity, each tick of the clock amplifying her anxiety. Lunchtime loomed ahead, and she dreaded it. The thought of facing the cafeteria filled her with dread, but Sage was insistent.

“Come on. You can do this. The first day will be the hardest,” Sage encouraged, her tone firm yet kind. With a reluctant nod, Talya followed Sage into the lunchroom, her heart racing.

As she entered, her gaze was immediately drawn to Brandon and Stephanie, but she quickly averted her eyes, determined not to let them steal her focus. She could do this. She forced herself to concentrate on the task at hand—getting food. After navigating the line, she and Sage found a table far removed from the couple. Talya managed to force a few bites of her salad down, but most of her time was spent studying for a quiz in the next period.

The subsequent classes dragged painfully, each moment stretching into what felt like hours. Finally, the last period of the day arrived—gym class. Talya felt a wave of reluctance wash over her. She had no choice but to go; she didn’t want to leave Sage hanging. With a heavy heart, she changed quickly and made her way to the gym, her eyes scanning the room for Liam. But as soon as their eyes met, she looked away, a mix of emotions swirling within her.