Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Hey, Fiona, want to check out the concert?" Tyler's voice broke through the daze Fiona was slipping into.

She turned around, intrigued, and let out a little "Hmm?"

"Everyone's buzzing about going to the concert," he whispered.

Fiona considered it for a moment, her eyes flitting around, but she decided against revealing the concert tickets in her pocket.

"Fiona, you're thinking about the concert too?" a girl sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She glanced up, smirking, "Getting concert tickets isn't a walk in the park, you know."

"Yeah, we had to jump through hoops for ours."

"Why even bother with her? She's just looking to ride our coattails. Those tickets vanished the second they were announced. Some folks really need to know their place."

The shrill voices made Fiona roll her eyes, glancing towards the back of the class where a group of girls was eyeing her like hawks.

Their stares were practically trying to eat her alive.

She hadn't even opened her mouth, and they were already lining up to pick her apart.

If she actually showed the tickets, they'd probably burst from jealousy.

A cold chuckle bubbled up inside her. Clearly, these girls had too much time on their hands, always stirring up drama instead of hitting the books.

"What's it to you?" Tyler snapped, glaring at them. "We weren't even talking to you. What's your deal?"

He glanced at Fiona, noticing her calm, unbothered expression.

"Don't let them get to you," Tyler said, clenching his fists, flashing a reassuring grin. "They're just full of hot air."

"Tyler, what the heck are you implying? Did we say anything wrong?"

"Yeah, Tyler, if you're so great, why don't you snag the tickets yourself? Arguing with us won't get you anywhere."

The girls were fuming, seeing Fiona brush off their taunts like they were nothing. "Some people think they're untouchable just because they're tight with the guys. Otherwise, they'd be nobodies in this class."

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"Yeah, always napping, copying homework from her desk mate, never skipping a meal. She'll probably be a total zero after we graduate."

Fiona pulled out her phone, slipped on her headphones, and dove into a game.

She'd heard enough of their nonsense.

"Enough already! Haven't you run outnoveldrama

of things to say?" Tyler shouted,

slapping his hand on the desk, jumping up. "You worship your idol so much, but has he ever

acknowledged you? Why cause a scene here?"

"Tyler! Are you out of your mind? What did I say wrong? Tell me!"

The tension was thick, ready to snap.

"Tyler's defending Fiona so fiercely, who wouldn't think there's something going on between them?"

Tyler was truly riled up, face flushed with anger, when the class president stepped in to calm the storm.

"Fighting in school is a one-way ticket to expulsion! Chill out, everyone. Class is starting; let's drop it."

As the bell rang, Fiona finished her game and promptly laid her head on the desk, drifting off to catch some Zs.

Maybe it was the concert hype, but the classroom was buzzing more than usual.

Typically cool-headed, Tyler was still fuming from earlier, scribbling

furiously on his notepad, even

catching the teacher's attentivel

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