Mia’s POV
The whispers around me were deafening as Tristan guided me down the hallway, his presence commanding enough to part the sea of students. Some murmured insults under their breath, others whispered enviously.
“Did you see that? She’s with Tristan.”
“Why would someone like him care about her?”
I tried to block it all out, focusing instead on the warmth of his hand on my back as he led me toward the school’s main entrance. My heart was still racing from the encounter with Aria and her gang, but Tristan’s presence had a way of grounding me.
“Are you okay?” he asked once we reached his car.
I nodded, though my mind was still a whirlwind of emotions. “Thank you… for stepping in.”
“Don’t thank me,” he said, opening the passenger door for me. “You didn’t need saving. You handled them well on your own.”
I climbed into the car, his words replaying in my head as he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side. He slid in, starting the engine, and the low hum of the car filled the silence.
As we pulled out of the parking lot, I couldn’t help but glance at him. His focus was on the road, his jaw set, but there was something softer in his eyes when he turned to look at me.
“I’ve been trying to reach you for days,” he said.
I tensed, gripping the strap of my bag. “I’ve… been busy,” I lied. “Exams and everything. I needed to focus.”
He raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. “You could have at least let me know you were okay. After everything that happened…”
“I didn’t want to bother anyone,” I replied quickly. “And I didn’t want any more trouble.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and I could tell he didn’t believe me.
The drive continued in silence until we pulled up to a small, cozy restaurant on the edge of town. The sign above the door glowed warmly, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air as we stepped out of the car.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said as he opened the door for me.
“I wanted to,” he replied simply.
Inside, the restaurant was quiet, the kind of place where you could actually hear yourself think. We were seated near the window, and Tristan ordered for both of us before I even had a chance to look at the menu.
“Relax,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “You look like you’re expecting something to go wrong.”
I hesitated, fiddling with the edge of my napkin. “I’m just… not used to this.”
“Used to what?”
“Being treated like I matter,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
He frowned, leaning forward slightly. “Mia, you do matter. Don’t let them make you think otherwise.”
I looked down at my hands, unsure how to respond. The food arrived soon after, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt… normal.
After we finished eating, Tristan leaned back in his chair, studying me. “You can’t go to the party dressed like this.”
I glanced down at my plain outfit, suddenly self-conscious. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Nothing,” he replied with a small smile. “But it’s not exactly party material.”
I crossed my arms. “I’m not going to the party to impress anyone.”
“That may be true,” he said, standing up and tossing a few bills on the table. “But you deserve to feel good about yourself.”
He motioned for me to follow him, and before I knew it, we were driving again.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
We pulled up in front of a high-end boutique, the kind of place I’d only ever seen in magazines. The windows displayed elegant gowns, tailored suits, and shoes that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe combined.
“I can’t afford this,” I said as we walked inside.
“You’re not paying,” Tristan replied, holding the door open.
“I can’t let you do this,” I protested, but he ignored me, waving over one of the sales assistants.
“She needs something for tonight,” he said, gesturing toward me.
The assistant nodded, her eyes lighting up as she led me toward the racks of dresses. “We have some beautiful options that would be perfect for her.”
I turned to Tristan, shaking my head. “This isn’t necessary. I’ll be fine in what I have.”
“Humor me,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, I followed the assistant as she pulled out dress after dress, each one more beautiful than the last. I tried on a few, but none of them felt right.
Then she handed me a midnight blue gown, simple yet elegant. The fabric was soft against my skin, and it hugged my figure in a way that made me feel… confident.
I stepped out of the dressing room, and Tristan’s eyes widened slightly as he looked me over.
“Perfect,” he said, his voice quiet.
I hesitated, smoothing the fabric nervously. “Are you sure? It feels… too much.”
“It’s not,” he said firmly. “It’s exactly what you need.”
The assistant wrapped up the dress, and Tristan paid without hesitation. As we left the boutique, I couldn’t help but feel a small flicker of gratitude.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
He glanced at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Anytime.”
I was to go home, when he stopped me and said, “Let me drop you off home. Its already evening and I don’t want you to be late for the party.”
I didnt declined his offer to drive to him, and nodded my head.
I wasn’t the same girl I had been before.
And tonight, they were all going to see it.