From Zero to Shero (by Tessa Wallen) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Saying Sorry

The air in David's office was thick with tension as the whole team sat crammed inside.

When Josie walked in, the vibe turned frosty, faces souring like they'd bitten into a lemon.

Except for Natalie. She jumped up, flashing a grin bright enough to blind. "Josie! You showed!"

"I'm here to say sorry," Josie said, sidestepping Natalie's grabby hands.

She didn't have Natalie's gift for playing nice with people she couldn't stand.

Natalie faltered, like she'd been caught off guard. "Wait, you still think I'm shady, don't you?"

Her voice quivered, eyes glistening like she was about to bawl. "I didn't copy your paper, Josie. Take it to the dean if you don't believe me. Let them figure it out."

Josie dropped her gaze, looking more pathetic than Natalie's theatrics. "I'm apologizing, okay? The papers looking so similar threw me, but I wasn't gonna snitch.

"I didn't breathe a word to anyone else."

The team, who'd been glaring at Josie like she'd kicked a puppy, started to rethink things.

Josie wasn't a gossip—she barely had friends outside the lab. This drama? She'd only mentioned it to them.

Aiden's frown eased, his eyes settling on Josie. "I buy that you didn't mean to stir the pot, but Natalie got burned.

"If you hadn't gone all detective, people wouldn't be whispering about her stealing your work."

"An apology's not too much to ask," he added, arms crossed.

Aiden was the team's golden boy—brains, looks, the whole package.

Josie had picked this major partly because it was the med school's hot ticket, but let's be real: Aiden was a big reason too.

He'd been her hero once. Once. Not anymore.

"Fair point," Kyle Langton, another senior, chimed in. "Josie, I'm with Aiden. You didn't mean to cause a mess.

"Natalie's a softie, so just smooth it over, and we're all cool."

Josie nearly laughed. Natalie, a softie? Yeah, right. But she zipped it. "Got it, Kyle. I'll fix this."

Turning to Natalie, she said, "I'm sorry, Natalie. I messed up, and it hurt you. Honest—can we move past this?"

Then it hit her. Josie had been tight with this crew for years before Natalie rolled in. Breaking that bond? Tougher than she thought.

Natalie flashed a sugary smile. "Josie, I was never mad! Forgive? Psh, nothing to forgive!"

She spun to David, plopping down beside him with a flirty grin, voice all sweet. "Told ya, Professor Lawson. Josie wouldn't try to screw me over. Cut her some slack, yeah?"

Lawson wasn't biting. His face was hard as granite, shooting Josie a look that could freeze lava. "On purpose or not, she screwed up. And screw-ups have consequences. So, Josie, how should I deal with you?"

David's face was like stone as he shot Josie a hard stare.

Vincent glanced at Natalie. "Chill about Professor Lawson. Sorting files is nothing compared to a real punishment."

"Got it, thanks, Vince," Josie said with a quick smile, hurrying after Natalie.

"Hey, Nat, I was so caught up saying sorry earlier, I forgot—I got you a little something." She pulled a sleek box from her bag.

The group stopped cold, crowding around.

"That Aiden's medal?" Tianna blurted.

Vincent nodded. "Yeah, his first big win in that med competition. He loved that thing—till he gave it to you to cheer you up."

"Spot on," Josie said, eyeing the group. "I was new, totally bombed an experiment, and Professor Lawson chewed me out. Aiden gave me this medal, said it was lucky.

"And you know what? After that, I was golden—no more screw-ups."

She held the box out to Natalie. "Natalie, I heard this mess really got you down—depression and all. Take this. It's like a good-luck charm.

"You'll be set from now on. Aiden swore by it."

Natalie's eyes lit up. She wanted that medal. Not just for its shine, but because it was Aiden's—his first victory, something special.

In her eyes, Josie didn't deserve it. But snagging it right in front of him? That was ballsy.

"Josie, that's sweet, but it's Aiden's gift to you," Natalie said, pushing the box back. "I can't take it."