Emily and Liam's uneasy truce lasted for a few more days, but the tension between them was always simmering just below the surface.

One day, as they were working on a project together, Liam made a comment that sent Emily's anger boiling over.

"I don't know how you manage to get such good grades," Liam said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You don't exactly seem like the studying type."

Emily's eyes flashed with anger. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Liam shrugged. "Just that you're not exactly the most academic person I've ever met."

Emily felt a sting from his words. "And what makes you think you're so much better than me?" she spat.

Liam raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say I was better than you. I just said you're not exactly... motivated."

Emily's anger boiled over. "You know nothing about me," she hissed. "You don't know what I'm capable of or what I've been through."

Liam's expression turned cold. "I know enough," he said. "I know you're just a spoiled rich girl who's used to getting everything handed to her."

Emily felt like she'd been punched in the gut. "How dare you," she whispered, her voice trembling with rage.

Liam stood up, his eyes blazing with anger. "I dare because it's true," he spat. "You're just a selfish, entitled brat who doesn't care about anyone but yourself."

Emily felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "You're one to talk," she hissed. "You're just a arrogant, self-absorbed jerk who thinks he's better than everyone else."

The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the two combatants.

Then Liam turned and walked away, leaving Emily feeling shattered and humiliated.

Emily felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe what Liam had just said to her. The words cut deep, and she could feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She wouldn't let Liam see her cry. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Emily gathered her things and stormed out of the room, leaving Liam and his hurtful words behind. She didn't know how she was going to face him again, but she knew she had to.

As she walked across campus, Emily felt a sense of unease. She couldn't shake the feeling that Liam's words had been more than just a cruel joke. They had been a reflection of his true feelings.

Emily wondered if she had been blind to Liam's true nature. Had she been so caught up in her own feelings that she had ignored the warning signs?

She didn't know what to think anymore. All she knew was that she needed to stay away from Liam.

But as she walked into her next class, Emily saw Liam sitting in the back row, his eyes fixed on her. She felt a shiver run down her spine as their eyes met.

It was clear that this wasn't over yet.