Evie's POV

One month.

It had been exactly one month since I'd spoken to Ryder beyond polite pleasantries in front of our parents.

One month of avoiding his calls, ducking into bathrooms when I saw him in the hallway, and pretending my heart didn't shatter a little more each time our eyes met across a room.

But it was working. My GPA had climbed to a 3.1—safely above the cheerleading requirement. I'd aced my last three exams, turned in every assignment on time, and even earned praise ...