Casey stared out of the car window as the moving truck rumbled ahead, leading the way to their new home. The small town of Oakridge was nothing like the busy city she had grown up in. The streets were quieter, the houses more spaced apart, and the people seemed to know each other too well.
Her mother glanced at her from the driver's seat. "It's a fresh start, sweetheart. You'll love it here."
Casey only nodded. She wasn't the type to complain, but deep down, she hated starting over. New school, new people, new everything. But she had promised herself—keep your head down, focus on school, and don't get involved in anything unnecessary.
First Day at Oakridge High
The school was bigger than she expected, but the moment she walked through the halls, she could feel the eyes on her. New girl syndrome. It didn't help that she wasn't just new—she was different. Unlike the perfectly dressed girls in their expensive sneakers and designer bags, Casey wore simple jeans, a plain white tee, and a backpack that had seen better days.
She found her locker, placed her books inside, and was about to leave when a voice behind her made her stop.
"You're new here."
Casey turned. A boy stood leaning against the locker next to hers. Tall, dark hair slightly messy, an effortless smirk on his lips. He had an air of confidence, the kind that told her he was used to people knowing his name.
"And you are?" she asked, not bothering to fake interest.
He chuckled. "Julian. And you?"
"Casey."
"Nice to meet you, Casey," he said smoothly. "Let me guess—you're trying to stay out of trouble?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why do you assume that?"
Julian grinned. "Because if you weren't, you wouldn't be talking to me right now."
Before she could respond, another voice cut through the air, colder, sharper.
"Julian, let's go."
Casey turned her head and saw him. Allan. He wasn't just another student—he had a presence. Leaning against the lockers a few feet away, arms crossed, his dark eyes barely acknowledging her. There was something distant, almost detached about him.
Julian winked at Casey before turning away. "See you around, new girl."
She watched as he walked off with Allan, who didn't spare her another glance.
Casey didn't care. She wasn't here to make friends.
But little did she know, she had just caught the attention of two of the most talked-about boys in school.
And one of them—Allan—was already trying to fight the feelings he knew he shouldn't have.
Unwanted Attention
The first week at Oakridge High passed in a blur of unfamiliar faces and whispered stares. Casey stuck to her routine—class, lunch, home. She wasn't interested in making friends or getting involved in school drama. But Julian had other plans.
Every day, he found an excuse to talk to her. A casual "Hey, new girl" in the hallways. A smooth invitation to sit with him at lunch. A teasing comment whenever they crossed paths. Casey wasn't interested. But Julian was persistent.
One afternoon, as she walked out of the school library, she found him waiting outside.
"Are you following me now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Julian smirked. "I was going to ask you the same thing. You show up everywhere I am."
She shook her head, amused despite herself. "Maybe I just like books."
"Or maybe you like me."
Casey rolled her eyes. "You wish."
The Silent Watcher
Unbeknownst to Casey, Allan was watching. He always was.
From across the courtyard, he leaned against a bench, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He didn't like how Julian was always around her.
It annoyed him. Not that he'd admit it.
Julian was his friend, but Allan knew him well—he never took things seriously. He got bored quickly, and when that happened, he moved on without looking back. And Casey? She wasn't the type to handle that kind of heartbreak easily.
She was too real, too kind, too good.
So why did it bother him so much?
Why did he care?
Allan exhaled sharply and looked away. It wasn't his business.
A Moment of Weakness
Later that day, Casey was at her locker when Julian appeared again.
"Come to the party on Friday," he said.
Casey hesitated. "I don't do parties."
Julian leaned closer, his voice teasing. "Live a little, new girl. One night won't kill you."
She sighed. Maybe he was right. Maybe she needed to stop hiding and just enjoy for once.
"Fine," she muttered.
Julian grinned. "I'll pick you up at seven."
As she closed her locker, she felt it—a pair of eyes on her.
She turned her head slightly and saw Allan. Standing at the end of the hall, his jaw clenched, his gaze locked on her and Julian.
For a split second, their eyes met.
Then, just as quickly, he looked away and walked off.
Casey frowned. What was his problem?
Little did she know, Allan had just made a silent decision—stay away from her.
Because if he got any closer, he wouldn't be able to ignore what he was already feeling.
An Unexpected Ally
The excitement of Friday's party quickly faded as Casey realized she had made a mistake. Julian wasn't serious about her. She could see it in the way he flirted with other girls, in the way he treated everything like a game.
She had no time for games.
So when she finally told him, "I'm done," she expected him to shrug and move on. And he did. But not everyone else did.
The Confrontation
Casey had just stepped out of class when she was surrounded.
Five girls—dressed in expensive clothes, their makeup flawless, their expressions sharp and cruel.
"You think you're special, don't you?" one of them sneered, arms crossed.
Casey blinked. "Excuse me?"
Another girl scoffed. "You think you can just waltz in here and take Julian from us?"
Julian? Was that what this was about? Casey almost laughed.
"I didn't take Julian from anyone," she said, voice calm but firm. "I was never his to begin with."
Wrong answer.
The first slap came so fast that she barely registered the sting.
Her cheek burned as the girls closed in, their voices overlapping, insults flying. She wanted to fight back, but she was outnumbered.
Then, suddenly—
"That's enough."
A new voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding.
The Savior
The girls turned, and Casey saw her.
A girl with the same dark eyes as Allan. The same sharp features, but softer. Beautiful, confident, and furious.
The leader of the bullies scoffed. "Stay out of this, Olivia."
Olivia. Allan's sister.
"I don't think so." Olivia stepped between them, her gaze cold. "You think ganging up on one girl makes you powerful?" She tilted her head. "Try picking on someone who fights back."
The girls hesitated. Even in their arrogance, they knew better than to mess with Olivia.
After a moment, they scoffed and walked away.
Casey let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Are you okay?" Olivia asked, turning to her.
Casey nodded slowly. "Yeah. Thanks for that."
Olivia smiled. "No problem. I like you."
Casey raised an eyebrow. What?
"I mean, you're interesting," Olivia clarified. "Most people would've cried by now."
Casey smirked despite herself. "Maybe I'm just used to dealing with idiots."
Olivia laughed. "I like you even more now."
The Aftermath
Later that day, as Casey sat alone outside, she felt someone's gaze on her.
She looked up—Allan.
He stood in the distance, watching her.
For a moment, she thought he might come over. Say something.
But then—he turned and walked away.
Just like always.
Casey sighed.
If only she knew what he was thinking.
Because for the first time, Allan wasn't sure if he could keep ignoring her.
An Unexpected Friendship
Casey rubbed her sore cheek as Olivia sat down beside her on the bench. The weight of the day pressed down on her, but somehow, Olivia's presence made it a little lighter.
"You sure you're okay?" Olivia asked, studying her face.
Casey nodded. "I've had worse."
Olivia smirked. "I doubt that."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind rustled through the trees, the sounds of students leaving for the day filling the air. Then, Olivia stood up.
"Let me drop you home."
Casey blinked. "What?"
Olivia shrugged. "You don't seem like the type to take rides from strangers, but we're friends now."
Friends. That was fast.
"I don't want to be a bother," Casey said hesitantly.
Olivia scoffed. "You're not. Besides, it's my way of making sure you're safe."
Casey hesitated, then nodded. She wasn't used to kindness like this.
As they walked to Olivia's car, Olivia pulled out her phone.
"Give me your number," she said. "In case you ever need backup again."
Casey smirked and handed over her phone. Olivia typed her number in and grinned. "Now you have me on speed dial."
For the first time since moving to this town, Casey felt something she hadn't expected—she wasn't alone.
And she had no idea how much Olivia's friendship was about to change her life.
A Cold Stare and a Warm Welcome
The ride home with Olivia was surprisingly comfortable.
Casey had expected awkward silence, but Olivia was the kind of person who made conversation easy. She talked about random things—how boring Oakridge could be, the best places to eat, and the people to avoid at school.Casey mostly listened, responding here and there, still unsure about this new friendship. But she didn't hate it. Maybe having one friend wouldn't be so bad.
As Olivia pulled up in front of Casey's house, she turned to her.
"If anyone bothers you again, tell me."
Casey smirked. "What, you gonna fight them for me?"
Olivia grinned. "Maybe."
Casey chuckled and got out. "Thanks for the ride."
"Anytime, friend." Olivia winked before driving off.
Friend.
That was going to take some getting used to.
A Familiar Shadow
As Casey reached her front door, she heard the sound of another car pulling up nearby.
She turned her head—and froze.
Allan.
He was leaning against his black car across the street, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Casey waited for him to say something. Maybe acknowledge her. Maybe even ask why she had been with Olivia.
But Allan did what he did best.
He looked away, got into his car, and drove off.
Casey exhaled, shaking her head.
What was his problem?
She had barely spoken to him, yet somehow, every time he was around, she felt like she had done something wrong.
A New Routine
Over the next few days, Olivia made sure Casey wasn't alone. They sat together at lunch, walked to classes, and even exchanged homework answers when necessary. It was strange—but nice.
The bullying stopped, and Julian, surprisingly, kept his distance.
The only thing that hadn't changed?
Allan.
He still ignored her. Still kept his distance. Still acted like she didn't exist.
But what Casey didn't know was that every time she laughed with Olivia, every time she brushed her hair behind her ear, every time she looked happy—Allan noticed.
And it was driving him insane.
Secrets and Struggles
Casey had barely shut the front door before she heard it—the sound of something shattering.
Her heart clenched. Not again.She stepped forward cautiously, peering into the kitchen, where the scene unfolded like a nightmare she had seen too many times.
Her mother stood near the sink, tears streaking down her face. A broken plate lay at her feet.Her father loomed over her, his face twisted in anger, his voice venomous. "You're useless! Do you think this house runs on love and prayers? Huh?"Her mother flinched but didn't say anything.
That only made him angrier.
Another plate flew across the room, smashing against the wall.
Casey gasped, stepping back instinctively. Her presence went unnoticed.
Her father continued his assault, words sharper than the shattered glass on the floor. "You're pathetic!Always whining, always complaining! Maybe if you tried being a real wife, I wouldn't have to drink just to tolerate you!"
Her mother's shoulders shook. "Please, not in front of Casey…"
Too late.
Casey stood frozen, fingers gripping the strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles turned white. She wanted to scream, to beg him to stop.But she knew how this worked.If she interfered, he would turn on her, too.So, instead, she did what she always did.
She ran.
A Heartbreaking Routine
Upstairs, she slammed her bedroom door and collapsed onto her bed, pressing her hands against her ears.The shouting didn't stop.The insults. The crashes.The gut-wrenching sobs of a mother who was too tired to fight anymore.Casey curled into herself, squeezing her eyes shut. She hated this.
She hated him.
She hated the way her mother endured it, how she never left, how she pretended everything was okay in front of the neighbors and she hated herself—for being too weak to change anything.
Tears burned her eyes. She wiped them away furiously.
Crying wouldn't change anything. But maybe… maybe numbing the pain would.
A Dangerous Escape
The first time she smoked, it was an accident. Or maybe not.She had been at a party—one of the few Julian convinced her to attend before things went south. Someone passed her a cigarette, then a joint.
She could've said no.But she didn't.She inhaled, and for the first time in a long time, the weight on her chest lifted.The world didn't feel so suffocating anymore.
After that, it became a secret habit. A way to survive.
At school, she played the role well. She smiled when Olivia talked. She answered questions in class. She acted like the same smart, independent girl everyone thought she was.
But at night?
When the fights raged on downstairs, when her father's voice turned cruel, when the past and present became too much— She lit up, took a sip, and let it all fade away because if reality refused to change, then at least for a few hours, she could escape it.
For now.
Broken Pieces and Silent Screams
The fights didn't stop.If anything, they got worse.
Night after night, the house became a battleground, echoing with shouts, insults, and the sound of things breaking.
And Casey?
She was just another casualty.
A Home That Never Felt Like One
It always started the same way.Her father would come home late, his footsteps unsteady, the smell of alcohol thick in the air.
Her mother would try to keep the peace, carefully placing his food on the table, praying tonight would be different.
But it never was.
"This?" Her father scoffed, shoving the plate away. "This is what you call food? You useless woman!"
Her mother flinched but didn't speak.
Crash.
The plate hit the wall.Casey sat on the stairs, her breath shallow. She should leave, go to her room, pretend she didn't hear anything.
But she was frozen.
"You just sit here, wasting my money, whining about everything! You're pathetic!" he spat.
Her mother's voice cracked. "I'm trying, James—"
"Try harder!"
Another crash.
Casey jumped as a glass shattered, pieces flying across the kitchen floor.Her mother gasped, stepping back too late. A sharp shard cut through her skin, blood dripping onto the tile.
Casey clenched her fists.
Enough.
"Stop it."
Her voice came out quieter than she wanted.
Her father slowly turned, his bloodshot eyes locking onto her. A smirk curled at his lips.
"Look who finally decided to speak up."
Casey's stomach twisted.
She knew what came next.
"This is your fault too, you know?" He stepped toward her, his voice dripping with disgust. "I work myself to the bone, and what do I get? A good-for-nothing wife and a daughter who's just as useless."
Her mother tried to intervene. "James, please—"
Smack.
The sound rang through the house like a gunshot.
Her mother stumbled back, clutching her cheek.
Casey's world tilted.
He hit her.
He had never done that before.
For a second, the room went silent.
Then, her father turned back to his drink, like nothing had happened.
Like it was normal.
Like her mother's pain didn't matter.
Something inside Casey snapped.
She turned on her heel and ran.
The Taste of Escape
The cold air outside stung her skin, but she barely felt it.She ran. Past the houses, past the flickering streetlights, past the suffocating weight of home.Her legs ached, but she didn't stop until she reached a familiar corner.
Julian's place.
She didn't think. She just knocked.
A few moments later, the door opened, and Julian stood there, his expression shifting from confusion to amusement.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Case."
Her throat was dry. "I need something."
Julian raised an eyebrow, but he didn't ask questions. He never did.
He just stepped aside and let her in.
A New Addiction
The first drug burned her throat.The second numbed it.By the third, she felt nothing at all.The weight in her chest, the screams still echoing in her head, the sting of watching her mother break—it all faded.
Julian sat beside her, watching as she exhaled slowly, her eyes blank.
"Rough night?" he asked, passing her a drink.
Casey let out a bitter laugh. "Something like that."
She took the bottle and tipped it back.
She didn't want to feel.
Not tonight.
Not ever.