The next day at Excel High felt heavier than usual. Amelia tried to ignore the stares and whispers as she walked into class, but Evelyn's cruel words still echoed in her mind.
Lucas wasn't in his seat yet. Without him there, the classroom felt colder lonelier.
As she sat down, a folded note slipped onto her desk. At first, she thought it was another prank, but when she opened it, her heart skipped.
"Meet me on the rooftop at lunch."
There was no name, but she knew who it was.
Lucas.
When lunchtime arrived, Amelia hesitated before climbing the stairs. Her heart pounded with every step. Was he finally going to tell her the truth?
When she pushed the rooftop door open, Lucas was already there, leaning against the railing. The wind tousled his hair as he turned to face her, his usual playful expression missing.
"You came," he said softly.
"I wanted to know why," Amelia replied, her voice quiet but firm. "Why are you really protecting me?"
For a moment, Lucas didn't answer. Then, he sighed, looking out over the schoolyard. "At my old school… someone needed me, and I let them down."
Amelia's chest tightened. "Is that why you left?"
He nodded. "I thought leaving would fix things but some mistakes follow you no matter where you go." His voice grew softer. "I won't let the same thing happen to you."
The honesty in his words sent a warmth through her chest.
"I'm not that fragile," she whispered.
Lucas turned to her then, stepping closer so close she could feel the heat radiating off him. "I know," he said, his voice low. "But that doesn't mean I want to see you hurt."
Amelia's breath caught as his gaze lingered on her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
The door behind them suddenly slammed open, breaking the moment. Evelyn stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her icy smile back in place.
"Well, aren't you two cozy?" she sneered.
Lucas's face darkened. "What do you want now, Evelyn?"
"I just came to warn your little friend." Evelyn stepped forward, her voice dripping with malice. "You're only here because Lucas feels sorry for you. Once he gets bored, he'll leave just like he always does."
Amelia's heart twisted painfully, but before she could respond, Lucas spoke his voice sharp and steady.
"You don't know anything about us," he said coldly.
Evelyn laughed softly. "Keep telling yourself that." With one last glare at Amelia, she turned and disappeared through the door.
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
"I'm sorry," Lucas said quietly, his fists clenched at his sides. "You shouldn't have to deal with her."
Amelia shook her head, forcing a smile. "I'm not scared of her."
Lucas met her eyes, something soft and unspoken in his gaze. "Maybe… but I am."
Her heart pounded. "Why?"
He hesitated, then whispered, "Because I'm afraid I'll lose you too."
The wind carried his words away, but Amelia felt their weight. And for the first time, she wondered if Lucas wasn't just protecting her maybe, in some way, he needed her just as much.
To be continued…