EVELYN

The hallway buzzed with energy, the usual noise bouncing off the lockers, but for me, it all felt distant and muted. My gaze landed on Trina, and my stomach dropped. She stood near the water fountain, laughing with a group of girls. They surrounded her like bees circling their queen. Among them was Charlotte. The same Charlotte we used to roll our eyes at, the one we gossiped about endlessly for being so fake. And now, she was part of Trina’s new circle.

My heart clenched painfully as if a fist had wrapped around it, squeezing tighter with every passing second. Trina threw her head back in laughter, and I couldn’t help but notice how radiant she looked. She didn’t seem to miss me, not even a little.

It was a gut punch.

I felt like a ghost, standing there watching someone who used to be my whole world act like I never even existed. We used to own this hallway together—our marked territory, our secret world. Now, it felt foreign, hostile even, as if I’d been replaced.

I forced myself to approach, my feet dragging like weights. My voice came out soft, almost timid. “Hey, Trina.”

She barely turned her head. Her gaze flicked over me as if I were a stranger, and then she went back to laughing at whatever Charlotte was saying. My heart sank even deeper.

It’s my fault. I know it is. I pushed her away, left her hanging, and of course, it was only right for her to get back at me but this was too much for me to pay the price. But knowing that didn’t make it hurt any less.

I stood there for a moment longer, awkwardly looking and feeling a lot out of place. The silence was deafening, and I wished the ground could swallow me alive. Eventually, I turned and walked away, pretending the lump in my throat wasn’t there, pretending that my eyes weren’t burning with tears I was fighting hard to control.

As I rounded the corner, I heard a low whistle behind me. “Hey there, gorgeous,” a voice called out.

I froze, my heart sinking. Slowly, I turned to see a guy leaning casually against the lockers. His smirk was as slimy as his tone, and his eyes raked over me in a way that made my skin crawl. He was one of the bullies to guys and players to ladies. No conversation with him would be worth it.

“Looking all lonely there,” he said, pushing off the lockers and stepping closer. “Why don’t I keep you company?”

“I’m fine, thanks,” I said quickly, trying to walk ahead of him.

But he moved to block my path, his grin widening. “Aw, don’t be like that. A pretty girl like you shouldn’t be walking around all alone. Let me take care of you,” he said tracing my front hair.

His voice dripped with fake charm and I could already feel my pulse quicken with fear. He was shamelessly flirting with me in public.

“Seriously, I’m fine,” I said, my voice firmer this time. But he didn’t back off. Instead, he leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as if he were daring me to push him away.

“What’s your problem?” he sneered. “You think you’re too good to talk to me? Come on, don’t be so uptight. I just wanna get to know you better.”

I took a step back, my heart hammering in my chest. My mind raced, trying to figure out how to get out of this without causing a scene.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” he taunted, his tone turning cruel.

“Leave me alone,” I said, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to sound strong.

The guy laughed, a harsh sound that made my stomach churn. “Feisty, huh? I like that.”

“I heard you’re still clean down there, definitely waiting for my cock. Is that true?” he asked pointing toward my skirt.

I stood, with my gaze on the floor hoping for everyone to just mind their damn business, but sadly, they didn't.

“Oh wow, it's true. Just let him keep you clean,” some guys who heard him shouted.

In as much as I wanted to force myself to believe it wasn't Trina getting back at me, it was because I'd never told anyone aside from her.

All eyes were on me, waiting for me to say something, maybe defend myself but trust me, everything I was silently praying for was to be saved from this horror in front of me.

And then, out of nowhere, a familiar voice cut through the scene like a blade.

“She said leave her alone.”

I turned to see Dave striding toward us, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing with anger. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t falter. Before the guy could react, Dave’s fist connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling back into the lockers.

“Wow,” Almost everyone exclaimed together, all eyes on the scene unfolding before them. The guy glared at Dave, his hand going to his jaw, but he didn’t say a word. He must have realized he was outmatched. Few people brought out their phones to record their dream man fighting for his sister, of course, that's what it was in their eyes little did they know that he was fighting for the love of his life,

“Get lost,” Dave said, his voice low and dangerous.

The guy muttered something under his breath before slinking away, rubbing his jaw as he disappeared around the corner.

“Are you okay?” Dave asked, turning to me. His expression softened, his anger replaced with concern.

I nodded, but my legs felt like jelly. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Dave reached out, his hand resting lightly on my arm. The warmth of his touch sent a wave of calm through me, soothing the storm inside. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner,” he said, his voice filled with regret.

“It’s okay,” I said softly, meeting his eyes. “You were here when it mattered.”

For a moment, we just stood there, the noise of the hallway fading into the background. His presence was like a shield, protecting me from the world. Like fuck, I wanted to kiss his tempting pink lips.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dave smiled a small, almost shy smile that made my heart ache in the best way. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll always be here for you.”

And just like that, the weight on my chest lifted. He brought me peace, a peace I didn’t even realize I needed until it was right there in front of me.

As we walked together, his arm around my shoulder, I felt something shift inside me. I couldn’t deny it anymore. I loved him more than just brotherly love. I love every part of him— his strength, his protectiveness, his ability to make me feel safe even in the darkest moments, and I love him as my man.

I glanced up at him, my heart swelling with emotion. “Dave?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” I said simply.

He looked down at me, his expression softening. “For what?”

“For being you.”

Dave laughed, a warm, genuine sound that made my chest tighten. “You’re welcome,” he said, pulling me closer. Of course, if at all we weren't in public, that would've earned me a round of mind-blowing sex.

As we stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, I realized something. No matter what happened, no matter how messy things got, I wanted him by my side aways.