C14 Let me be

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

NADIA

“Why weren’t you in school last week?” Sandro asked, his voice oozing with false concern. For a second, I contemplated staying silent, but as their presence loomed over me, it became hard to hold my tongue.

“I just needed some time off,” I said simply, refusing to let them see how much they affected me.

Sandro tightened his grip on my shoulder