Amelia couldn't sleep that night. Evelyn's words circled her mind like a storm that wouldn't quiet.
"After all we've been through… don't you think she deserves to know the truth?"
What truth? What was Lucas hiding?
The next morning, the weight of those questions hung over her like a shadow. She wanted to trust him he'd done nothing but protect her but Evelyn's confidence made her stomach twist.
When Amelia stepped outside, Lucas was already there, leaning casually against the gate. His bruises from the fight with Jason were fading, but something else lingered behind his usual carefree smile.
"You're early," she said quietly, locking her front door.
"Couldn't let you walk alone, could I?" he replied, falling into step beside her.
They walked in silence for a while, the cool morning air thick with tension. Amelia wanted to ask Who is Evelyn to you? Why won't you tell me? but the words caught in her throat.
Lucas finally broke the silence. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she lied, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.
"Liar." His tone was light, but his eyes were serious when he glanced at her. "You've been quiet since yesterday. Is it… her?"
Amelia swallowed hard. "Why does she hate me so much?"
Lucas exhaled a slow breath, his jaw tightening. "It's complicated."
"Then uncomplicate it," Amelia shot back before she could stop herself. "If we're friends… why won't you tell me the truth?"
The question hung between them, heavy and unspoken for too long.
For a second, Lucas didn't answer. His usual teasing smile was gone, replaced by something sharper more guarded.
"Evelyn…" He hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. "We used to be close. Our parents are business partners, so we grew up together. But she… she likes control. And when I stopped letting her pull the strings, things got messy."
Amelia frowned. "Messy how?"
"She doesn't handle rejection well." His voice dipped lower. "And now that I'm spending time with you… she sees it as a threat."
Amelia's heart pounded harder in her chest. "Why?"
Lucas slowed to a stop, turning to face her. For a moment, the usual playful glint in his eyes softened into something gentler.
"Because you matter to me," he said quietly.
The words knocked the air from her lungs.
Before Amelia could respond, the school bell rang in the distance, breaking the spell. Lucas gave her a small smile softer than usual and nodded toward the gate.
"Come on, sunshine. We're gonna be late."
By lunchtime, the tension at Excel High had only grown. It wasn't just the usual whispers and stares anymore. Evelyn's presence hung over the school like a storm cloud.
Amelia sat quietly at their usual spot beneath the oak tree, poking at her sandwich. Lucas was unusually quiet too, tapping a pencil against his knee.
"Lucas?" she said softly, breaking the silence.
"Yeah?"
"Why are you even doing all this?" she asked, her voice wavering. "Why fight for someone like me?"
His pencil stilled, and he met her gaze without hesitation. "Because you're worth it."
Amelia's breath hitched. No one had ever said that to her not once.
But before either of them could say more, a shadow fell over them.
"Well, isn't this cozy?"
Amelia's stomach twisted as she looked up Evelyn.
Lucas stiffened beside her. "What do you want?"
Evelyn smiled, but there was nothing kind about it. "Relax. I just wanted to talk. Besides…" Her gaze flicked to Amelia, cold and calculating. "I'm curious. What makes her so special?"
Amelia felt her throat tighten, but Lucas didn't flinch.
"You wouldn't understand," he said calmly.
Evelyn laughed softly. "Careful, Lucas. You know how this works. People like her… they break easily."
"That's enough," he snapped, rising to his feet. "Leave her alone."
The flash of anger in his voice sent chills down Amelia's spine. Lucas was usually so calm so in control but Evelyn was dragging something darker to the surface.
For a moment, Evelyn said nothing. Then, with a slow, knowing smile, she stepped closer her voice barely above a whisper.
"Does she know why you left your last school?"
Amelia froze. Her heart pounded in her chest as the words hung in the air.
"Lucas… what is she talking about?"
His hands curled into fists, but his face was unreadable. "It's none of her business."
Evelyn laughed softly, turning to Amelia. "You should ask him sometime. Ask him what he's really running from."
And with that, she walked away, leaving Amelia's world tilting on its axis.
The walk home that day was tense and silent. Lucas didn't crack jokes, and Amelia didn't ask questions not until they reached her doorstep.
"Lucas," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "Why did you leave your last school?"
He hesitated. For the first time, the easy confidence he always wore like armor slipped.
"It's not what she's making it sound like," he said softly.
"Then tell me the truth," Amelia pleaded.
Lucas exhaled a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. "I… I got into a fight."
Amelia's stomach twisted. "Why?"
"Because someone hurt someone I cared about." His voice was rough, and there was something raw in his expression. "And I couldn't just stand by and watch."
For a heartbeat, everything was silent. Then, before Amelia could stop herself, she reached out her fingers brushing lightly against his hand.
"Why are you telling me this now?" she asked softly.
His voice was barely above a whisper. "Because you're starting to matter to me more than I ever expected."
Her heart pounded so loud she was sure he could hear it.
And for the first time, Amelia wondered if maybe just maybe she wasn't as alone as she thought.
To be continued…