The next day at Excel High School began quietly but Amelia knew it wouldn't last. Tension buzzed through the air, like a storm waiting to break.
Despite her best efforts to stay unnoticed, whispers still followed her. About Jason. About Lucas. About how the "loner girl" suddenly had the new guy wrapped around her finger.
And Lucas? He didn't seem to care.
He strolled into class that morning like nothing had happened like he hadn't nearly fought Jason or walked her home in the rain. But Amelia felt it. A weight sitting heavy in her chest.
As the teacher droned on about quadratic equations, Amelia risked a glance to her side. Lucas was doodling absentmindedly in his notebook, completely at ease.
Why did he keep doing this? Why did he keep standing up for her when it would be so much easier to walk away?
She wanted to ask. But part of her was scared of the answer.
Lunch arrived, and as usual, Amelia sat alone. She preferred it that way at least, that's what she told herself.
But today, she wasn't alone for long.
The scrape of a chair made her head snap up. Lucas slid into the seat across from her, plopping a juice box onto the table.
"You always eat by yourself?" he asked casually, unwrapping a sandwich.
Amelia blinked, unsure how to answer. "I'm used to it."
He shook his head, as if the idea bothered him. "You shouldn't be."
She frowned. "Why do you even care?"
Lucas leaned back, studying her with those unreadable eyes. "I don't like seeing people treated like they don't matter."
His words struck something deep inside her something raw and fragile. She wanted to believe him. But believing meant trusting, and trusting meant getting hurt.
"You're making yourself a target," she said quietly. "Jason won't just let this go."
"I'm not scared of Jason," he said easily.
"You should be," she muttered, picking at the corner of her tray.
Lucas tilted his head. "Why? Because he's the king of this school?"
"No," Amelia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because guys like him… don't stop until they break you."
For the first time, Lucas's easy smile faded. And when he spoke again, his voice was softer. "They won't break me. And they won't break you either not while I'm around."
Her heart thudded against her ribs. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. And she didn't know how to handle it.
But before she could reply, the air around them shifted.
"Aw, how sweet."
Jason's voice sliced through the cafeteria noise, dripping with mockery. Amelia tensed as he strolled toward their table, his friends trailing behind.
Lucas stayed relaxed but Amelia noticed the way his jaw tightened.
"I was wondering how long it'd take before you started babysitting full-time," Jason sneered, his eyes flicking between them.
"Walk away, Jason," Lucas said coolly, not bothering to look up.
Jason chuckled darkly. "Or what? You gonna play hero again?"
Lucas finally raised his gaze, the warmth in his eyes gone. "I don't play. So if you're looking for a fight, go ahead. But you won't win."
For a second, Amelia thought Jason might take the bait. His hands curled into fists, and his face flushed with anger. But then he smirked a dangerous, calculating smile.
"Relax," Jason said, stepping back. "I'm just getting started."
As he and his friends walked away, Amelia let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
Lucas, on the other hand, didn't seem phased.
"You really shouldn't poke the bear," she muttered.
"I'm not scared of him," Lucas said, his voice low. "Bullies only have power if you give it to them."
Amelia shook her head. "It's not that simple."
Lucas didn't argue. But the way he looked at her like he wasn't going anywhere made something twist painfully in her chest.
The day dragged on, but the uneasy feeling in Amelia's gut never faded.
When the final bell rang, she hurried out of the classroom, hoping to avoid any more run-ins with Jason. But as she rounded the corner near the stairwell, her luck ran out.
Jason was waiting.
"Going somewhere?" he drawled, blocking her path.
Amelia froze, heart pounding. She tried to step around him, but his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.
"I don't know what you think you're doing with the new guy," he said, voice low and dangerous. "But if you think he's gonna stick around for a loser like you, you're delusional."
"Let me go," she snapped, trying to yank her arm free.
Jason's grip tightened. "Make me."
A blur of motion and suddenly, he wasn't touching her anymore.
Lucas.
He moved so fast that Amelia barely registered what happened until Jason was shoved back against the wall.
"I told you to walk away," Lucas said, his voice like ice.
For a tense moment, no one moved.
Jason's face twisted with rage, but before he could retaliate, a teacher's voice echoed down the hall. "What's going on here?"
Lucas released him instantly, stepping back with a calmness that sent chills down Amelia's spine.
"Nothing," Jason said through gritted teeth, glaring at Lucas. "Just a misunderstanding."
The teacher narrowed his eyes but didn't press further. "Get to class. Now."
As Jason stormed off, Lucas turned back to Amelia, concern flickering across his face. "Are you okay?"
She nodded shakily. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did," he said without hesitation.
Her heart pounded for an entirely different reason now. There was something about the way he looked at her like he wasn't just protecting her because it was the right thing to do.
Like he wanted to protect her.
"Come on," Lucas said softly, offering his hand. "I'll walk you home."
Amelia hesitated, her usual instinct to pull away battling against something else something warmer.
And this time… she took his hand.
To be continued…