By the next morning, the whole school had chosen a side.
And somehow… I was the topic.
Walking beside Lucas Blackwood felt unreal.
People stared openly now. No more whispers — just shock, judgment, and curiosity.
I could feel it.
Especially from her.
She stood by the lockers, arms crossed, eyes sharp and burning into me.
Perfect hair. Perfect uniform. Perfect confidence.
"Who's that?" I whispered.
Lucas didn't even look.
"Trouble," he replied.
As we passed, she stepped directly into my path.
"So you're the new experiment," she said, smiling without warmth.
"I'm sorry?" I asked.
She laughed lightly. "Relax. I'm Serena."
Of course she was.
"The girl who thinks she can sit beside Lucas and survive," Serena continued. "That's cute."
Lucas finally turned. "Serena. Move."
Her smile faltered for a second.
"You didn't answer my calls," she said sharply.
"I told you not to contact me," Lucas replied.
Her eyes flicked back to me. "So this is why."
"I didn't—" I started.
"You don't belong here," she interrupted. "And you definitely don't belong with him."
Lucas stepped forward instantly.
"She belongs where she wants," he said coldly.
The hallway went silent.
Serena's face hardened.
"This isn't over," she said quietly to me before walking away.
My stomach tightened.
"I don't like her," I muttered.
Lucas almost smiled.
During lunch, I found myself alone.
Lucas had been called away — family business, he said.
The moment he left, I felt exposed.
That's when Serena sat across from me.
"You like him," she said bluntly.
"I barely know him," I replied.
She leaned closer. "That's how it starts."
"Why do you care?" I asked.
Her eyes darkened. "Because I know what happens to girls who get close to him."
I stood up. "You don't scare me."
She smiled slowly. "You should be scared of him."
That evening, Lucas walked me home.
The sky was painted orange and purple, the street quiet.
"You shouldn't talk to Serena," he said.
"She warned me about you," I replied.
He stopped walking.
"What did she say?"
"That people who get close to you get hurt."
His jaw tightened.
"She talks too much."
"That's not an answer," I said softly.
He turned to me.
"You want the truth?" he asked.
I nodded.
"My family destroys things," he said. "People. Businesses. Lives."
My chest tightened. "And you?"
"I was raised in it," he said. "But I don't enjoy it."
We stood there, the distance between us shrinking.
"I don't think you're bad," I whispered.
His hand lifted slowly… hesitated… then brushed against mine.
Electric.
Dangerous.
His voice dropped. "Ava… if I kiss you, everything changes."
My heart raced.
"Then don't," I said.
He leaned closer anyway.
Our breaths mingled.
My eyes fluttered shut—
A car screeched to a stop.
Headlights blinded us.
Lucas pulled me behind him instantly.
A man stepped out.
"Time's up," he said. "Your father wants the girl."
My blood ran cold.
"What?" I whispered.
Lucas's voice was deadly calm.
"She's not part of this."
The man smiled. "She is now."
Lucas turned to me, fear flashing across his face for the first time.
"Run," he whispered.
The man raised his phone.
And pressed record.