The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Chapter 107

ASTRA

It was barely an hour since I stepped into the school building and the news had already spread like wildfire.

*Zane Ashton is not in school today.”

56 vouche

The whispers followed me everywhere. Girls clustered in the hallways, looking genuinely worried even the ones I was sure he didn’t even know the names of. Some were sniffing like they were about to cry. It was almost comical, but I knew better Zane was the golden boy. The star quarterback. The untouchable king of Harrington Academy. His absence was basically front-page news.

As I walked past one particularly dramatic group, their heads snapped toward me like I was fresh prey,

SLAM.

Two girls shoved me hard against the lockers causing the metal to rattle loudly behind my back.

“Where is Zane?” the taller one demanded, eyes narrowed.

I winced, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.

The other girl stepped closer, voice sharp. “Yeah, why isn’t he here? You live with him, right? You should know.”

Other students started slowing down, forming a loose circle and the whispers grew louder.

I pushed their hands off me, trying to keep my voice steady.

“What is wrong with you?” I said, annoyance flaring. “He’s at home. That’s all I know.”

They didn’t back off.

“Is he sick?” one asked.

“Did something at home?”

“Is it because of the fight last week?”

A guy from the football team leaned in. “Come on, nanny. Spill. The team needs to know if our captain is okay.”

The word nanny stung.

I straightened my spine, keeping my tone polite but firm.

“I’m the twins’ live-in babysitter,” I corrected. “Not his keeper. If you’re so worried, maybe text him yourself instead of cornering me in the hallway.”

The girls exchanged looks, clearly not satisfied.

One of them scoffed. “You’re really acting like you don’t know? You live in his house. You see him every day. Are you hiding something?”

Another added, voice dripping with condescension, “Or maybe you just don’t want us to know because you think you’re special now.”

I felt my cheeks heat, but I refused to shrink.

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Fri, Jul

Chapter 107

Before I could respond, familiar voices cut through the crowd.

“Will you all just leave her alone?” Priya’s voice rang out as she and Chloe pushed through the gathering students.

Chloe crossed her arms, glaring at the group. “If you have questions about Ashton, go ask someone who actually knows. Or better yet, mind your own business.”

Priya stepped in front of me protectively.

“She’s not his secretary. Back off.”

The girls muttered but slowly dispersed, shooting me dirty looks as they left. The crowd thinned, people losing interest now that the drama was interrupted.

I let out a shaky breath.

“Thanks,” I whispered to my friends.

Priya rolled her eyes. “These people are ridiculous. Zane misses one day and it’s like the apocalypse.”

Chloe smirked. “They act like he’s their personal property.”

I managed a small smile, but inside I was still rattled.

The rest of the morning dragged on. Everywhere I went, people whispered, giving me suspicious and annoyed looks. By lunch, I was exhausted.

I found an empty spot at the end of a long table and sat down alone. I hadn’t seen Chloe or Priya since morning classes. They were probably busy, so I was on my own. I poked at my food, a simple sandwich and some fruit but I barely had an appetite.

I hadn’t seen Jason all day either. That worried me. He usually texted me good morning or found me between classes. I pulled out my phone, fingers hovering over the screen, about to message him.

Then three shadows fell over my table.

I looked up.

Maya Whitmore stood there with two of her friends flanking her, all three wearing matching smug expressions.

“If it isn’t the charity case,” Maya said loudly, slamming her hand on the table hard enough to make my tray rattle.

The entire cafeteria seemed to quiet down.

I sighed, already tired.

“What do you want, Maya?”

She leaned forward, voice carrying across the room like she wanted everyone to hear.

“I want your mouth off the lips and dick of my boyfriend.”

Every head in the cafeteria turned toward us and my face burned with humiliation and shock at her words.

“What?” I whispered, voice barely audible.

Maya laughed, the sound cruel and condescending.

“Do you think I don’t see what you and Zane do? You forcing yourself on him like some desperate little gold-digger.”

12:09 Fri, Jul 3 ))

Chapter 107

I stood up quickly, tray in hand, trying to walk away before things got worse.

But Maya’s hand shot out and grabbed a fistful of my ponytail, yanking me back hard.

I groaned in pain as she forced me back down into my seat.

Her two friends immediately grabbed my tray and dumped everything over my head, the sandwich, fruit, juice, all of it splattering across my hair, uniform, and face.

People gasped, their phones coming out and whispers turned into loud murmurs.

The cold juice dripped down my neck. Pieces of food stuck to my hair and clothes. I felt disgusted and humiliated.

Then Something inside me snapped.

Anger, from years of swallowing all this like a bitter pill surged through me.

I stood up again, wiping juice from my eyes, and slapped Maya hard across the face.

THWACK.

Maya’s head snapped to the side. She touched her cheek, eyes wide with shock.

Then all hell broke loose.

She screamed and lunged at me, grabbing my hair. I grabbed hers back. We crashed into the table, screaming and pulling at each other like wild animals.

“Get off me!” I yelled, yanking harder.

“You bitch!” Maya shrieked.

The entire cafeteria erupted into chaos, gasps, cheers, phones recording everything.

I didn’t care.

I was done being quiet.

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