I finally let out a slow, tired breath and lifted my head.
She was leaning forward, her chin resting on her hand, looking me up and down with an expression of intense curiosity, like I was a puzzle she was trying to solve.
"What do you want, Selma?" I asked, my voice quiet.
Her aggressive posture seemed to deflate a little at my directness. She sat up straighter, shifting from intimidation to something that felt more like an interrogation.
"I'm not trying to start anything," she said, her voice even. "I just want to understand what's going on. One minute, Nina is dating Tyler, the next she's walking into school laughing with you. It doesn't make any sense."
I just looked at her, saying nothing.
"Look," she continued, leaning forward again. "I'm her friend. I worry about her. Nina has a certain… image. A reputation. And being seen with you, especially after all this drama, isn't good for it. People are already talking."
"We're just friends," I said simply.
