The days after the stairwell incident were anything but quiet. Jason's glare followed Amelia everywhere an unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air. Lucas, however, didn't seem bothered. If anything, he became even more persistent.
Every morning, he greeted her by her locker. Every afternoon, he walked her home. And no matter how much Amelia insisted she was fine, he never backed down.
She should have been annoyed. But she wasn't. Not really.
By mid-week, the storm finally broke.
It happened during gym class a place Amelia already hated. Today was no exception. The class was split into teams for a basketball match, and, unsurprisingly, Amelia ended up on Jason's side.
Lucas, on the other hand, was placed on the opposite team.
From the first whistle, Jason made her a target. Shoves, sneers, and careless "accidents" that tripped her up at every turn. Each time Amelia fell, his friends laughed louder.
Lucas noticed. And he was getting angry.
Amelia could see it in the tension in his shoulders, the way his movements became sharper more aggressive. Still, he held back. Until Jason crossed a line.
It happened fast.
Amelia had barely caught the ball when Jason slammed into her side hard. The world tilted as she hit the floor, her knee scraping against the polished wood.
Laughter echoed through the gym. "Oops," Jason said, smirking.
Amelia clenched her jaw, willing herself not to cry. Not here. Not now.
Before she could move, Lucas was there. He didn't speak he didn't need to. His fists were clenched at his sides, his entire body vibrating with restrained fury.
"Back off," Lucas said, his voice dangerously calm.
Jason laughed. "Relax, hero. It was just a game."
Lucas took a step closer. "Hit her again, and I'll make sure you regret it."
The room went silent. Tension thickened the air, everyone watching to see who would break first.
Jason, never one to back down from a challenge, shoved Lucas's shoulder. "What's your problem? Is she your girlfriend or something?"
For a heartbeat, no one moved.
And then Lucas swung.
His fist connected with Jason's jaw, sending him staggering backward. Chaos erupted. Students screamed, the coach bellowed, and within seconds, both boys were being dragged apart.
Amelia stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. Lucas's expression was cold, furious and it scared her how much he was willing to risk for her.
An hour later, Amelia found herself waiting outside the principal's office. Lucas sat beside her, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"You didn't have to do that," she said quietly.
"Yes, I did," he replied without looking at her.
She shook her head. "Now you're in trouble because of me."
Lucas finally turned toward her, his gaze softer. "You think I care about detention?" He paused, his voice dropping. "I'm not going to let them treat you like that."
Amelia didn't know how to respond. No one not a single person had ever stood up for her the way he did. And it terrified her how much she wanted to rely on him.
The office door opened, and the principal's stern expression cut through the tension. "Lucas, inside. Now."
Lucas stood, shooting her a wink. "Don't worry. I've got this."
And as he disappeared into the office, Amelia realized something.
She wasn't as alone as she thought.
Later that day, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, Lucas caught up with her outside the school gates. His lip was split, but he was still smiling.
"Suspended?" she asked, half-joking.
"Nah," he said. "Just a warning. Guess I'm charming when I try."
They fell into step, walking down the familiar path toward their houses. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable it was warm. Steady.
"You're reckless," Amelia said after a while, glancing at him.
Lucas shrugged. "Maybe. But I meant what I said."
She hesitated. "Why?"
His smile faded slightly, and for once, he looked serious. "Because no one ever stood up for me when I needed it. And I'm not about to let you go through that alone."
Her heart stumbled. She wanted to believe him but she was scared. Scared that if she let him in, he might leave like everyone else.
Still… his words lingered.
When they reached her house, Lucas stopped. "I'll see you tomorrow, sunshine."
Amelia rolled her eyes, but there was no bite behind it. "Stop calling me that."
"Never," he said, flashing a grin.
And as she watched him walk next door, Amelia felt something shift.
Maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to fight this battle alone anymore.
To be continued…