The principal's office was quiet. Too quiet.
Michelle sat on one side of the desk, her hands nervously twisting in her lap. Steve sat beside her, his jaw tense, protective energy radiating from him like a shield.
On the other side sat Principal Harris, glasses low on his nose, flipping through a report.
"This," he said finally, "is serious."
Michelle nodded. "I know."
Steve leaned forward. "What they did wasn't just bullying. It was harassment. They locked her in a room. What if I hadn't found her?"
Principal Harris raised a brow. "You understand we have procedures for this. Witnesses. Statements. Evidence."
"I have messages," Michelle said quickly, pulling out her phone. "They were threatening me before. I didn't think they'd actually do something."
"And I saw them come out of the bathroom," Steve added. "I heard her knocking from inside."
There was a long silence.
"I'll be calling in the girls this afternoon," Principal Harris said. "And their parents. I'll review the security footage. If it confirms your story, there will be consequences."
Michelle swallowed hard. "I'm not trying to get anyone expelled. I just… I want them to stop."
Steve reached over and gently took her hand.
Principal Harris looked at them both. "You're not alone in this, Michelle. We take this seriously."
She nodded again, quieter this time. "Thank you."
Later that day, after everything had been said and done, Steve walked her to the edge of campus. They didn't speak for a while. The tension of the day still clung to them.
But when they reached a quiet bench under a tree, Michelle stopped.
"Can we sit?"
"Of course."
They sat down. Birds chirped above. A breeze played with her hair.
"I was so scared," Michelle whispered. "Not just in there. But that you wouldn't come."
Steve turned to her, hurt flashing in his eyes. "Michelle… you never have to feel that again. If you're missing—even for a minute—I'll tear down walls to find you."
She looked at him, really looked. "Why do you care so much?"
His fingers brushed her cheek. "Because I love you."
Time paused.
Michelle's lips parted. "Steve…"
He smiled softly, nervous now. "Too soon?"
She shook her head. "No. I think I've been waiting to hear that."
Then, in one breath, she whispered, "I love you too."
Steve leaned in and kissed her—slow, deep, full of every unspoken word between them.
They held each other for a long time. Her head on his shoulder. His arm around her.
"I've never felt safe like this," Michelle murmured.
"You are," he said. "With me, always."
As the sun began to set behind the trees, Michelle looked up at the sky and smiled.No matter how dark it got—he'd always find her.
And now, she was no longer afraid.