Chapter 4The Spoiler Effect

The next morning, Tyler didn't wait for me to walk to school.

I knew he was mad.

I felt a little wronged. I’d been his servant for years, and one moment of disobedience was enough to cut me off?

My phone buzzed. It was Jessica, the school’s queen bee.

[Chloe, get me the spicy noodles from the cafeteria for breakfast. But like, from the good stall on the other side of campus. Thanks!]

Ever since Tyler started making me run errands for her, she had gotten comfortable treating me like her personal DoorDash.

I wanted to text back: Get it yourself.

I deleted it. [Okay.]

I didn't like Jessica.

On the first day of high school, during introductions, I spoke one sentence.

She burst out laughing. "Oh my god, is that your real voice? It's so high-pitched and fake. We're in high school, you don't need to act like an anime character."

The whole class laughed.

My face burned. I’m naturally soft-spoken; I wasn't faking anything.

Tyler had kicked her chair. "Knock it off."

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Protective much? It's just a joke. She's too sensitive."

Tyler had patted my head. "Don't worry about it, Chloe."

I felt safe then.

But...

But, Tyler, why did you fall in love with her?