The walk to the principal's office felt longer than it should have.
Lucas walked ahead of me, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed — like he wasn't the reason my wrist still throbbed or my heart was beating out of control.
I, on the other hand, felt like I was walking toward judgment.
No one spoke.
The hallway was silent except for the echo of our footsteps.
When we reached the door, the principal was already seated behind her desk, her expression unreadable.
"Sit," she ordered.
Lucas dropped into the chair without hesitation.
I sat beside him, carefully. I didn't look at him. I didn't want to.
The principal folded her hands. "Care to explain what happened in that classroom?"
Silence.
Then, Lucas spoke.
"She provoked me."
My head snapped up. "Excuse me?"
"You raised your voice," he continued calmly. "You disrupted the class."
"That's not—" I started.
"Enough," the principal cut in, turning her attention to me. "Did he grab your wrist?"
The room went still.
Lucas didn't move.
Didn't deny it.
Didn't apologize.
"Yes," I said quietly.
The principal sighed and leaned back in her chair.
I waited for anger.
For punishment.
For consequences.
Instead… she looked tired.
"Lucas," she said slowly, "you know better."
He shrugged. "It won't happen again."
That was it.
No warning.
No detention.
No apology demanded.
My stomach dropped.
"Is that all?" Lucas asked, already standing.
The principal hesitated. "Ava, you may return to class."
Return to class?
I stared at her. "That's it?"
She met my eyes, something like sympathy flickering across her face.
"Yes," she said softly. "That's it."
Lucas was already at the door.
I stood on shaky legs and followed him out.
The moment we were alone in the hallway, I turned on him.
"You grabbed me," I hissed. "And you just walked away like it meant nothing!"
He stopped.
Slowly turned around.
"You shouldn't have challenged me," he said.
"So that gives you the right to touch me?"
"No," he replied. "It gives you a warning."
"About what?" I demanded.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"About staying away."
I laughed bitterly. "You're not a monster, Lucas. Just a boy with money and control issues."
His eyes darkened.
"You think you know me," he said quietly. "You don't."
"Then explain," I said. "Why does everyone fear you?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he leaned closer and whispered—
"Because I ruin lives."
A chill ran through me.
He straightened and walked away, leaving me frozen in the hallway.
By the time school ended, rumors had already spread.
Some said I slapped him.
Others said he threatened me.
One thing was certain — people were watching me now.
That evening, my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number
Stay away from him.
My chest tightened.
Another message came.
You're not like the others.
My fingers trembled as I typed.
Me: Who is this?
The typing bubble appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then one final message came through.
If you sit beside Lucas Blackwood tomorrow…
you'll regret it.
I stared at the screen, my heart racing.
Outside my window, a black car idled across the street.
Its headlights turned on.
And my phone buzzed again.
This time…
It was Lucas.