The bell rang, but nobody moved.
Not when Aiden was still glaring holes into Ethan. Not when Jordan stood like a statue at the back of the classroom. Not when Caleb had somehow stolen a student's bag of chips and was eating them like this was a show.
Lila wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.
"Outside," Tyler muttered, his captain voice on. He glanced at Lila. "Now."
She groaned but obeyed. Fighting Tyler when he used that tone was impossible.
They ended up in the courtyard, behind the bleachers where no teachers lingered. The September sun spilled gold light across the grass, but the atmosphere was anything but warm.
Lila stood with her arms crossed while her brothers circled like wolves.
"This is out of control," Tyler said first. "Cole is dangerous."
Aiden cracked his knuckles. "I can fix this. Give me five minutes alone with him."
"No." Jordan's voice was sharp. "That'll only make it worse."
"Worse?!" Aiden snapped. "He's already making posts about her, claiming her, sitting on her in class like—like—"
"Like he's obsessed," Caleb cut in casually. "Which, newsflash, he is."
Lila groaned. "I told you guys—I can handle it."
Tyler shot her a look. "Handle it how, Lila? Because right now, all I see is him getting bolder. And you—" He hesitated. "You're letting him."
Her chest tightened. "I'm not letting him do anything."
But was she?
Before the argument could spiral, a familiar voice sliced through the tension.
"Well, well."
Ethan.
He strolled out from the other side of the bleachers, Lukas and Zane flanking him. Hands in pockets, expression smug, like he'd been waiting for this.
Aiden lunged first. "You've got guts showing up here—"
Jordan grabbed his arm, restraining him with practiced ease.
Ethan's eyes never left Lila. "Needed a word with sunshine."
Lila clenched her fists. "Stop calling me that."
"Can't," he said smoothly. "Because that's what you are."
Tyler stepped between them, broad shoulders blocking her view. His voice was steel. "Stay away from her, Cole."
For the first time, Ethan's eyes flicked to Tyler. He didn't back down. Didn't blink. Just tilted his head slightly. "And if I don't?"
The silence was electric.
Aiden strained against Jordan's hold. Caleb looked like Christmas had come early. Tyler's jaw locked.
Lila's heart raced.
"Then we'll make you," Tyler said.
Ethan's smirk deepened. "Try."
The word was a spark in a room full of gasoline.
"Whoa, whoa!"
Lila's friends arrived like an unorganized rescue squad. Harper practically shoved her way between Tyler and Ethan, Maya behind her with wide eyes. Even Ben and Ryan—two of her guy friends—skidded up, panting like they'd sprinted across campus.
"Okay," Harper said, hands raised. "Everyone, take a deep breath before testosterone makes someone stupid."
"Too late," Caleb muttered around a mouthful of chips.
Maya tugged on Lila's arm, whispering, "Why do I feel like we just walked into a mafia standoff?"
Because they had.
Because her family wasn't normal.
Because Ethan wasn't backing down.
Because the lines had been drawn.
And Lila… was stuck in the middle.