The next morning, the rain was gone, leaving behind a crisp chill in the air. Amelia walked to school with her head down, her bag now hastily stitched at the seams hanging heavily on her shoulder. The streets were still damp, puddles reflecting the pale morning sky.
Her mind kept drifting back to Lucas. She hadn't expected anyone to help her, especially not someone like him. He seemed different too kind for this school. People like him didn't belong here. People like her… suffered here.
As she entered the school gates, the usual routine resumed. A few whispered insults as she passed. Snickers when someone "accidentally" knocked into her. By now, she was used to it. Enduring it had become a part of her life.
Sliding into her usual seat at the back of the classroom, Amelia tried to disappear into the background. She pulled out her notebook, ignoring the fresh graffiti someone had scrawled on her desk: LOSER. It wasn't the first time. It wouldn't be the last.
The morning bell rang, and the chatter died down as their homeroom teacher, Mr. Reynolds, strolled in. He adjusted his glasses and tapped his pen on the desk.
"Settle down, everyone," he said. "We have a new transfer student joining us today. Be nice."
A murmur swept through the room. Transfer students were rare in the middle of the semester. Amelia barely paid attention until she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey… I'm Lucas."
Her head snapped up.
There he stood, right in front of the class Lucas. The boy from yesterday. His black hair was slightly tousled, and his usual easy smile was in place, but there was something about his posture that hinted he wasn't the type to be easily pushed around. Amelia wasn't the only one who noticed.
"Damn, he's hot," Chelsea whispered to her best friend, making no effort to lower her voice. "Hope he's not another nerd."
Amelia's stomach twisted.
Lucas scanned the room as Mr. Reynolds finished the introduction. When his gaze found her, his face lit up. Without a moment's hesitation, he walked down the aisle and stopped right by her desk.
"We meet again," he said with a grin.
The entire class fell silent.
Whispers exploded a heartbeat later.
"Did he just?"
"Why's he talking to her?"
"No way… is he friends with Amelia?"
Amelia's face burned. Her pulse pounded in her ears. Lucas didn't seem to care. He pulled out the empty chair next to hers and dropped into it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Hope you don't mind," he said softly.
"I… I don't," she mumbled, still stunned.
Chelsea, sitting near the front, narrowed her eyes. Her lips curled into a cold smile. Amelia knew that look trouble.
Throughout the lesson, Lucas acted as if the stares didn't bother him. But Amelia felt the weight of every glare. Every whisper. She had worked so hard to stay invisible, and in one morning, Lucas had shattered that shield.
When the bell rang, releasing them for lunch, Amelia quickly stuffed her books into her bag. She wanted to leave before the questions started.
"Hey, wait up." Lucas caught her arm as she tried to slip away. "You always run off like that?"
"You don't… want to be seen with me," she blurted out, unable to meet his gaze. "They'll turn on you too."
"I'm not afraid of them," he said, his voice serious now. "And I'm not leaving you to face this alone."
His words were warm, but Amelia's heart clenched. She knew how these things worked. No one stayed. Not really.
"You don't understand," she whispered.
"Then explain it to me," he said, refusing to let go.
Before she could answer, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Well, isn't this sweet?" Chelsea leaned against the doorframe, flanked by her ever-present group. "You've got yourself a new protector, Amelia. How cute."
Lucas turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Got a problem?"
Chelsea's smile turned icy. "No. Just curious how long you'll last. She's not exactly popular more like a charity case."
A flash of anger sparked in Lucas's eyes. "Funny. I didn't realize you were the one handing out social status."
Amelia's breath caught. No one had ever talked back to Chelsea like that.
Chelsea's eyes narrowed. "Careful, new boy. This school eats weaklings alive." With a toss of her hair, she sauntered off, her friends trailing behind.
Lucas let out a breath. "She's a piece of work."
"You shouldn't have done that," Amelia said quietly. "It'll only make things worse."
Lucas shrugged. "I don't care. You shouldn't have to deal with them alone."
His words settled deep into her chest, warming something long frozen inside her. For once, someone was on her side. But she knew this was only the beginning and Chelsea wouldn't let this go.
As they walked out together, Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas had just painted a target on his back.
And she was terrified of what would happen next.