Zara’s POV
Zarek’s voice droned on like static in my ears, each syllable tumbling into the next until it was nothing but meaningless noise. For five minutes he had been spewing his usual nonsense, jokes covered in cocky grins, words meant to distract me from the weight pressing on my chest. Normally, I might have rolled my eyes or even snapped back. But not now. Not when my pulse beat too fast, not when the walls of the classroom felt like they were caving in.
I couldn’t breathe.
I shoved my books into my bag, the scrape of chair legs against the floor echoing too loud.
Heads turned. Whispers started. But I didn’t care. I didn’t wait for him to finish, didn’t look back when his voice faltered mid-sentence.
My legs carried me out of the classroom before I had time to second-guess myse
