Two minutes before class ended, I felt a strange shift in the air. Almost instinctively, I glanced up and found myself locking eyes with Nick. His piercing blue gaze cut straight through me, as if he could see right into my soul. For a split second, I forgot to breathe.
TJ's words echoed in my mind, a warning that now seemed all too real: "He can make your life miserable if you cross him."
Suddenly, the room felt stiflingly hot, the air thick and heavy. I struggled to focus as my pulse quickened. It was like the walls were closing in, and I was desperate for an escape. I tore my eyes away from him and looked at the clock. My heart raced faster with every tick.
Thirty seconds left. Twenty.
I counted down the seconds, formulating a plan. The moment the bell rang, I would be out of my seat, slipping through the door before anyone else, before Nick could get the chance to confront me. I couldn't afford another run-in with him—especially not now, when his gaze still felt like a warning.
I quickly folded my books, my hands trembling as I tucked them under my arm. Leaning over, I gently tapped TJ on the shoulder. "Meet me in the washroom after class," I whispered hurriedly.
She gave me a confused look, her eyes silently asking for more explanation. I quickly glanced at her, then back at Nick, who was still staring at me like a hawk, unblinking and predatory. That was all it took—her expression shifted, and she seemed to understand without needing further details.
My heart pounded as I turned my eyes back to the clock.
Three… two… one… Time's up.
Without a second thought, I bolted out of my seat, the sound of the bell barely registering in my ears. The teacher was still talking, her voice fading behind me as I rushed toward the door. I didn't care. I had to get out of there—away from Nick's relentless stare.
I could feel the eyes of the entire class on me, but I didn't slow down. I left everyone, including TJ, sitting in awe, wondering what on earth had just happened. But I didn't stop. Not until I was far, far away from Nick.
I rushed out and didn't dare look back to see if Nick was following me. I couldn't take any chances. My feet carried me swiftly down the hallway, making a sharp turn as I finally risked a glance over my shoulder. No sign of Nick. I let out a sigh of relief, but my moment of calm was short-lived as I slammed into someone.
God, I really need to stop bumping into people, I thought, feeling the jolt. I looked up, bracing myself for another sharp retort, only to see a tall, handsome guy with black hair and warm brown eyes staring down at me. He gently pulled me back to steady me.
"Hey, you should be careful," he said, his voice calm and friendly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there," I apologized, trying to catch my breath.
He smiled, his expression soft. "Don't worry about it. Are you okay though?"
"Yeah, I'm good, thanks," I replied, still feeling a little flustered.
He studied me for a moment, then his eyes lit up with recognition. "You're Justine, right? I remember you from our first class this morning."
I blinked in surprise. "Yeah, that's me."
His gaze shifted, slightly concerned. "Why are you in such a hurry? It's like you're running away from someone."
I looked at him, unsure of what to say. If only he knew just how close he was to the truth. I forced a laugh, hoping he wouldn't hear the tremble in my voice. "Hah, yeah… just running away from a guy I bumped into earlier. Apparently, that's a capital offense around here, and the price is way more than just jail time," I joked, praying he'd catch the sarcasm and not the nerves behind it.
He laughed, a deep, easy sound. "You're funny. Are you talking about Nick?" He said it so casually, like it wasn't a big deal at all.
My stomach dropped. How did he know? "Wait… how did you know it was him?" I asked, more shocked than I meant to sound.
He grinned, amused by my surprise. "He told me you called him ugly and a jerk. No one's ever done that before—spoken their mind to his face like you did."
I blinked, processing his words. The weight of what I'd done suddenly felt heavier. "Well," I muttered, "I didn't exactly mean to make history today."
He chuckled again, his brown eyes sparkling. "Don't worry, you're already famous for it."
"Well, I wouldn't have called him that if he hadn't accused me of throwing myself at him! I didn't even know who he was. It was just an accident," I said, my frustration building. "Does he think he owns the world and everyone in it—"
Before I could finish, a voice cut through my words, dripping with arrogance. "Well, of course I do own the world… and as for everyone, I own most people in it."
I froze. That voice—I knew it all too well. My heart sank as I slowly turned around. Nick had found me.
I had to pull myself together. I couldn't let Nick see my fear. No. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction. Steeling myself, I turned slowly and took a small step back, standing next to the guy I'd been talking to—Eric. Somehow, with him by my side, I felt a little braver, like Nick wouldn't dare humiliate me in front of him.
Nick's smirk was unmistakable as he sized me up. "I see you've found her, Eric. Do you see what I was talking about?"
Eric remained calm, not the least bit ruffled by Nick's arrogance. "Yes, I've found her," he replied, his voice light, but there was a protective edge to it. "Though you forgot to mention how cute she is. Just look at her—those lovely cheeks, those beautiful eyes. Who could stay mad at such a sweet girl?"
His words caught me off guard, but his warm, reassuring glance made me feel safer. He then turned fully to face Nick, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Come on, Nick. Don't be mad. It was just an accident. Give her a break—it's her first day."
Nick's smirk faltered, just for a second, but it was enough for me to catch. He wasn't used to being told what to do, especially by someone like Eric. I could see the wheels turning in his head, deciding whether to let it go or escalate things further.