"No… I'm just going to eat somewhere else," she muttered.
Lucien didn't argue. "Alright. But I'll wait for you after lunch. Don't wander too far, okay?"
She nodded, almost imperceptibly, and slipped away, heading for the girls' bathroom at the far end of the school.
But her brief sanctuary shattered when Lily, Rose, and Mia barged in, laughing loudly, unaware of her presence in a stall.
"Did you see Noelle today?" Lily laughed. "She's such a weirdo."
Noelle froze, heart pounding, trapped in the stall.
Her bag slipped accidentally off the toilet seat, hitting the floor. The girls realized she was there. Their amusement turned to cruelty. Books were tossed, pages torn, and they mocked her mercilessly.
"Enough."
The sound was calm, deep, unmistakable.
Jihao stood at the door, coat half-buttoned, eyes fixed on them. His presence silenced the room instantly.
"I didn't come all the way here to watch someone get bullied," he said evenly. "Targeting someone who has done nothing wrong… it doesn't make you stronger. It makes you small."
The girls faltered, suddenly aware of him.
"No one deserves this," he said softly to Noelle. "Not you."
She whispered, "Th-thank you."
"You don't need to thank me," Jihao replied. "We're in the same class. Walk with me?"
Noelle hesitated, but relief overpowered fear. "…O okay."
They stepped into the hallway together. Whispers followed, but Noelle felt a strange comfort.
Lucien stood at the classroom door, watching. Confusion flickered in his dark eyes at the sight of Noelle walking with Jihao. He stepped aside, masking the storm behind his calm expression.
When the bell rang, Lucien finally approached her. "Noelle… we're still walking home together, right?"
She stiffened, hiding her face in her hood. "…I guess," she murmured, voice hollow.
Lucien didn't push. He fell into step beside her, matching her pace. "You know," he said softly, "you don't have to act like you're fine when you're not. I can tell."
Noelle flinched. For a moment, she let his coat settle around her shoulders warm, familiar. Almost instinctively, she held onto it.
"…You'll get cold," she muttered.
"I'll survive," he said easily, hands slipping back into his pockets. "You're the one shivering like a leaf."
They walked in silence. Gravel crunched beneath their shoes. Noelle's shoulders slowly relaxed under the warmth of his coat.
"I don't know how you always know," she whispered.
Lucien glanced at her, gentle. "Because I've known you since we were kids. You do this thing…" He mimicked her posture. "…Pretending everything's okay. You get quieter. Smaller."
Noelle swallowed hard, gripping the zipper of his coat.
"…I don't want to be a burden," she admitted finally, voice barely audible. Her words hung between them, fragile, almost afraid of being heard.
Lucien didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at her, dark eyes soft, patient, unwavering. "Noelle… you're not a burden. Not ever. Not to me. Not to anyone who actually cares."
"You don't have to talk if you don't want to," he said softly, voice almost a whisper. "I'm not going anywhere."
Noelle's fingers tightened on his coat zipper. For the first time in months, maybe years, she wanted to believe him
She wanted to believe him wanted desperately to but years of silence, years of coldness and being ignored, had built walls she wasn't sure she could tear down.
"…Why do you even care?" she muttered, voice rough, almost bitter.
Lucien didn't flinch. He slowed his pace, turning to meet her gaze. "Because I can't not care about you. Noelle… you've never been invisible to me. Not once."
Her eyes darted down, tracing the cracks in the sidewalk. Her fingers twisted at the hem of his coat. "… people don't notice things like that. They don't see…"
"They should," he said firmly, his voice steady, leaving no room for argument. "And if they don't, that's their problem, not yours.""…I'm scared," she whispered finally, voice cracking. "Scared that if I let someone in… they'll just leave. Like everyone else."
Lucien stopped walking.
The sudden halt made Noelle nearly bump into him. She looked up instinctively, startled, her fingers still clenched around his coat like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
He turned fully toward her this time. Not rushed. Not frustrated. Just… certain.
"I can't promise that people won't ever leave," he said quietly. "That would be a lie."
Her chest tightened at the honesty.
"But I can promise this," he continued, lowering himself slightly so he was closer to her eye level. "I'll stay. Noelle… I'll stay. Through everything. Even when it's hard, even when it seems like the world doesn't care. I'm not going anywhere."
You shouldn't say things like that," she whispered, voice trembling. "People make promises they don't mean."in life there are a lot of fake people who is only there for your stuff, when it gets bored there leave so stop!! Noelle stopped at her front gate "I have to go inside see you tomorrow
Lucien didn't push. He tilted his head, letting the silence speak instead of empty words. "Tomorrow," he said softly, almost like a vow, "I'll be here
When she walking inside the kitchen was messy, she barely took two steps to her room, out of her corner of her eyes spotted her mother with another guy, their leaned in and kiss passionate. Noelle wanted to gag, most especially when the kiss held on for much longer and her mother hand wonder.
Noelle ignore them and walked straight to the kitchen to see if there is something to eat but when she opened the fridge but there was nothing in only her mother leftovers, dropped her bag to the floor, with that their broke the kiss and mother turn around in Noelle direction
"You're home early today" her mother said, voice smooth, almost rehearsed. Not a trace of the warmth of concern that a mother should show.
Noelle slowly closed the fridge. Empty. Of course it was. Her throat tightened, but she forced her voice to stay steady. "I was looking for something to eat."
The man beside her mother tall, unfamiliar, smelling faintly of cologne and cigarettes was button his white shirt back on cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh… maybe I should …go," he muttered, shifting uncomfortably under Noelle's sharp gaze.
Her mother shot him a look that made him stiffen. "Stay if you want," she said casually, as though this were a normal dinner conversation and not the intrusion it clearly was. I only make me food there wasn't enough food for both of us so you can eat my leftovers when I am done eating
Noelle laughed a small, broken sound that surprised even herself. "You don't even notice me," she said, words spilling out before she could stop them. "You don't talk to me. You don't ask how I am. You don't care if I eat or if I come home or if I fully toward Noelle. "Don't give me that look," she said coldly. "You came home early. That's not my fault."
Noelle's fingers curled into fists at her sides. She stared at the fridge, at the empty shelves, at the single plastic container with her mother's name scribbled on it. Something inside her cracked quietly, dangerously.
"There's nothing to eat," Noelle said, her voice flat.
Her mother scoffed. "Then make something. You're not helpless."
"With what?" Noelle finally turned, her eyes burning. "Air?"
Her mother's expression hardened. "Watch your tone."
Noelle laughed a small, broken sound that surprised even herself. "You don't even notice me," she said, words"
The man stand up and say I have to go now my wife would get worried if I am not home I see you tomorrow, then he leaned in for a last kiss on the lips again and walked door.
Noelle watched him leave, the sound of the closing door echoed . Her mother didn't move, didn't even glance at her. She simply returned to the half eaten plate in front of her, stirring it absentmindedly, as though nothing had happened
Her mother shout with frustration push the food on the food and walked forward her and slap "Who give you a roots, put food on the table and pay for your school fees. And she pushed Noelle on the floor hitting, kicking her stomach so many times
the sting from her mother's slap burning across her stomach , but her mother's eyes blazed, stopping her mid word.
"Don't talk back!" her mother shouted, face twisted in anger. "Do you think I owe you anything? Food, clothes, a life? You're lucky I even put a roof over your head!"
Her mother scoffed and turned away, the sound of a chair scraping back filling the kitchen. "I'm done dealing with your attitude," she said flatly. "Clean yourself up. And don't embarrass me."Her mother stood over her, chest heaving, eyes sharp and distant all at once. Not remorse. Not hesitation. Just exhaustion.
"I said Clean yourself up!! if you want to live in this house you have to do whatever I say!," she said flatly, as if Noelle were nothing more than a mess she didn't want to deal with. I am going out for a week whatever you want with her hand take out a smoke and walked out the house
Slowly, painfully, she pushed herself upright. Her hands shook, leaving faint smudges of dirt and blood across her palms. She pressed her fingers against her cheek, feeling the sting, the raw warmth where her mother's hand had connected. But she said nothing. Words had never worked here. Words only became fuel for more anger, more hitting, more cold indifference.
Noelle stomach growled for hungry and she drag her herself to the food in the floor where her mother push the leftover food, her fingers trembled as she picked up the cold, half eaten leftovers from the floor. The smell of yesterday's food mixed with a faint sour tang made her gag slightly, but hunger clawed sharper than disgust. She lowered herself to the ground, sitting cross-legged on the cold kitchen tiles, and began to eat quietly, trying not to make a sound that could draw her mother back.
Each bite was mechanical, her mind numb, her body on autopilot. She chewed slowly, carefully, tasting more sorrow than sustenance. Tears threatened to spill, but she swallows them down.
She finished what little remained, leaving the plate scraped clean, then leaned back against the wall. Her cheek still stung where her mother's hand had struck, and the bruising warmth spread down her jaw. For a long moment, she just sat there, staring blankly at the floor, listening to the distant hum of the street outside.
Lily lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, phone dark in her hand. The room was quiet except for the ticking clock on her nightstand, each second scraping against her nerves.
She hated quiet.
Her mind replayed the bathroom scene whether she wanted it to or not the way Jihao had stood there, calm and unshaken. The way his eyes hadn't screamed or insulted, just… judged. Like he'd already decided who she was.
Her jaw tightened.
It wasn't supposed to go like that.
Noelle wasn't supposed to look like that when she'd dropped her bag small, cornered, shaking. Lily told herself it was annoying, not guilt that had twisted in her stomach. Annoying that someone like Noelle could suddenly be the center of attention.
And worse
Jihao had taken her side.
Lily rolled onto her side, burying half her face into the pillow.
Since when do people care about girls like her?
Noelle never talked. Never fought back. Never tried to be anything. That was the point. Easy targets didn't suddenly get protectors. They stayed invisible.
Unless someone decided to make them visible.
Lily's fingers curled into the bedsheet.
Lucien's face flashed through her mind next the way he always hovered near Noelle, pretending not to. That protective quiet. Like he owned the right to care.
A slow, unpleasant smile crept onto Lily's lips.
"So that's it," she murmured to the empty room. "That's the game."
She sat up slightly, phone lighting up her face now. Her thumbs hovered over the screen as ideas clicked into place not loud ones, not messy ones.
Careful ones.
People didn't need lies. They just needed suggestions.
A photo at the right angle.
A rumor said softly enough to sound like concern.
A coincidence that wasn't really one.
Noelle didn't need to be attacked.
She just needed to be isolated again.
Lily exhaled slowly, calming herself. Tomorrow, she'd smile. Act normal. Friendly, even. Let people think she'd forgotten the whole thing.
That was the trick no one questioned the girl who laughed easily.
She lay back down, staring at the ceiling once more.
"Everyone has something they're hiding," she whispered. "I just need to find hers."
And this time, she wouldn't let anyone step in the way.
The next tomorrow morning, Noelle woke with a dull ache in her jaw and the lingering sting on her cheek. Sunlight filtered weakly through her blinds, casting thin lines across her messy bed. She stayed there for a long moment, staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint sounds of the street waking up. The world outside moved on, indifferent to her pain, but something inside her refused to move so easily.
sounds of the street waking up. The world outside moved on, indifferent to her pain, but something inside her refused to move so easily.
By the time she finished, the school uniform hung heavily on her small frame, as if it too had absorbed the tension and pain from the previous day. She slipped into it silently, brushing her messy hair back, hiding the bruise as best as she could under the hood of her jacket.
At her corner of her eyes Lucien …was already waiting by the gate, his backpack slung casually over one shoulders,…scrolling lazily on his phone, but the moment he noticed her movement, he looked up. His dark eyes softened immediately, taking in the faint shadow of bruising along her jaw and the slump in her shoulders.
"…Morning," she muttered, her voice hoarse, barely above the whisper of the wind rustling through the trees lining the street.
"Morning," he replied softly, slipping his phone into his pocket. His usual teasing grin was absent, replaced by a quiet attentiveness that made her chest tighten. He took a step closer, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off him, but not so close that it overwhelmed her.
She swallowed hard and kept her gaze on the cracks in the pavement. "You… didn't… have to wait," she murmured, voice trembling slightly.
Lucien shook his head gently, the corners of his mouth lifting in the faintest reassuring smile. "I didn't have anywhere else to be," he said quietly, calm when his smile fade into something softer, almost protective. He studied her face for a long moment."Noelle," he said softly, slowing his pace to match hers. "Did something happen?"
She stiffened. Instinctively, she shook her head. "I'm fine."
He didn't argue. Didn't push. He just nodded once and started walking beside her, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, like he was giving her space to breathe. But his presence was steady, anchoring.
Noelle took two more steps before realizing he wasn't beside her anymore. She turned, panic flickering in her eyes. "Lucien?"
He studied her face for a long moment."Noelle," he said softly, slowing his pace to match hers. "Did something happen?"
She stiffened. Instinctively, she shook her head. "I'm fine."
He didn't argue. Didn't push. He just nodded once and started walking beside her, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, like he was giving her space to breathe. But his presence was steady, anchoring.
Noelle took two more steps before realizing he wasn't beside her anymore. She turned, panic flickering in her eyes. "Lucien?" . The street felt suddenly too open, too exposed. Her hands curled into the sleeves of her jacket.
"…Please," she whispered. "Don't make a big deal out of it,Lucien finally let his hands drop to his sides, stepping back just enough to give her space, though his presence still pressed against the edge of her awareness. "There," he said softly, voice steady, almost gentle. "Better?"
"Thanks," she finally whispered, barely audible, but enough for him to catch.
He didn't smile at least not fully but the corner of his lips lifted, just a fraction, enough that it reached his eyes. "Anytime," he replied.
The wind picked up, teasing strands of her messy hair across her face. Lucien reached out almost reflexively, tucking a stubborn lock behind her ear, and she flinched slightly, caught off guard by the gentle intimacy. He noticed, of course, but he didn't retract his hand. He let it linger just long enough to reassure her, then dropped it back into his pocket.
When they made it to the school gate, the morning bustle surrounded them students laughing, slamming lockers, calling to friends but it all felt distant, muffled, as if they were in their own quiet bubble. Noelle's fingers lingered on the scarf, tugging at it nervously, and she avoided looking up at Lucien.
When suddenly a large limousine rolled to a stmop in front of the school gate, its polished black …frame gleaming under the pale morning sun. Conversations around them faltered, heads turning as the engine purred to a smooth halt. A few students whispered, others stared openly, curiosity buzzing in the air.
When a black suit bodyguard moved around the limo and opened the back door. The bodyguard held the door open like the person inside was royalty.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then a polished black shoe touched the pavement then jihao stepped out.
Students gasped and whispered, a ripple of excitement and awe moving through the crowd. Phones were raised, snapping photos and recording videos, voices buzzing with speculation
Is that jihao? No way why is there bodyguard? "He's rich, isn't he? And famous, kind of… maybe?" another voice added, tinged with awe.
His uniform was perfect too perfect, like it had never been wrinkled once in its life and his hair was styled neatly, not a strand out of place. His expression didn't change at all as the whispers grew louder around him. If anything… he looked bored.
The bodyguard stayed close, scanning the crowd like he expected someone to jump out and attack.
Jihao's eyes swept over the crowd briefly, almost dismissively, before landing on the Noelle, He didn't glance at the students gawking at him, but the effect was immediate—every whisper, every camera flash, every curious stare seemed to gravitate around him. A smile appear on his lips.
He stepped forward toward Noelle, his presence commanding, while the bodyguard carried out huge bags from the limousine with effortless precision. "Hi again," he said smoothly. "I thought you might need a new bag and some books, after Lily Rose and Mia ruined yours."
Noelle blinked. She hadn't expected him to remember, Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Jihao crouched slightly to set the bags on the pavement, giving her a direct line of sight. "I hope this isn't too much," he added smoothly, glancing at the bodyguard with a raised eyebrow. The man gave a slight nod but didn't move closer, and turned back to the car, drive away.
"See you around, Noelle," Jihao said, walking through the school gate, leaving a stunned, whispering crowd behind him.
Noelle stood frozen for a moment, staring at the black limousine as it disappeared down the street, her mind still processing what just happened,The books and bags lay at her feet, neat and untouched.
Lucien, who had been standing quietly beside her the whole time, finally spoke, his voice low and steady. "Well… that was dramatic."
She jumped slightly at his words, blinking up at him, her scarf tugged a little tighter around her neck. "Dramatic… is one way to put it," she muttered, her voice still tinged with disbelief. "Well… that was drama she muttered.
Lucien's eyes flicked to hers, a hint of amusement dancing in the corners. "i can't believe how that just… happen?" he asked, voice low enough that only she could hear it over the distant chatter of the other students.
Noelle shook her head slowly, still staring at the neatly stacked bags at her feet. "I… I know," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. Her fingers tightened around the scarf, as if the fabric could ground her.
Lucien's dark eyes flicked toward the scattered bags at Noelle's feet. Without a word, he bent down and picked up the heaviest one, slinging it effortlessly over his shoulder. "Looks like you've got a lot to carry," he muttered, his tone teasing, but his eyes were sharp, alert to her discomfort.
Lucien laugh, as if accepting her words, though his hand itched to reach for hers, to offer something more tangible than words. "Come on," he said after a moment, nodding toward the school gate. "Let's get to class before we become the next story everyone's whispering about."
Noelle and Lucien walked side by side toward class. As they reached the back, Noelle moved toward her usual seat, only to freeze. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of crude, hateful words scratched into her desktop. Her fingers twitched, but she forced herself to stay calm.
WEIRDO.
FREAK.
GO DIE.
And underneath, messier, like the writer had been laughing while doing it:
NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE.
Noelle's breath caught.
Lily was already in her seat, legs crossed, smirking like she was waiting for a reaction. Rose leaned close to her, whispering. Mia covered her mouth, pretending to cough, but her eyes were bright with amusement.
Lucien noticed the second Noelle stopped.
"Th-thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. She moved carefully toward Jihao's desk, trying not to let anyone see her trembling hands.
She slipped into the chair across from Jihao, her shoulders hunched, trying to make herself small, like she could disappear from the stares and whispers surrounding her.
Across the room, Lily and Mia shot each other a glance, their smirks faltering as they realized their usual games weren't landing the way they expected.
Jihao leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Don't let them get to you. They feed off reactions like that," he said quietly, his tone calm but firm. "You're stronger than you think.".""Some people can't handle someone being different. They lash out because it makes them feel bigger, stronger… or just less empty inside. But that's their problem, not yours."
As the teacher entered and began the lesson, Noelle pretending to listen to the teacher but put her head on the desk , knowing the teacher won't care.
When Lily raised her hand and said she had to go to the bathroom, the teacher barely glanced at her. "Alright, go quickly," the teacher fixed on the board barely acknowledging Lily's presence. Lily smirked, whispering to Mia as she passed by Noelle's desk.
The teacher barely looked up from writing on the board. "Uh… sure, if you must," she said distractedly, clearly not noticing the underlying tone
"I… um, I don't really need to go right now," Noelle muttered, trying to pull back slightly, but lily tightened her grip, clearly ignoring her protest.
"Aw, don't be so shy," lily teased, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "It's just me. Come on, a little walk won't hurt."
Jihao's eyes narrowed, his calm demeanor shifting into quiet intensity. "Noelle doesn't have to go anywhere with you," he said, his voice low but sharp. He placed himself slightly between her and Lily, making it clear he wouldn't let her be cornered.
Lily's smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of irritation. "Oh, what are you? Her boyfriend now?" she sneered.
Then she put her arm and drag her to the bathroom with me arm around her like they are best friends
Jihao's expression hardened. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping sharply against the floor. "Let go of her," he said, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes were like ice, unflinching and impossible to ignore. "Now."
Lily paused mid-step, one eyebrow arched. "Or what?" she challenged, her tone dripping with mockery, though there was a hint of uncertainty under her bravado.
Jihao didn't respond immediately. He simply moved closer, closing the small gap between them with deliberate calm, his presence solid and unwavering. "Or you'll regret it," he said evenly. His hand rested lightly on the edge of the desk, a subtle barrier between Lily and Noelle, but the intensity in his gaze spoke louder than any words.
Jihao's expression hardened. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping sharply against the floor. "Let go of her," he said, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes were like ice, unflinching and impossible to ignore. "Now."
Lily paused mid-step, one eyebrow arched. "Or what?" she challenged, her tone dripping with mockery, though there was a hint of uncertainty under her bravado.
Jihao didn't respond immediately. He simply moved closer, closing the small gap between them with deliberate calm, his presence solid and unwavering. "Or you'll regret it," he said evenly. His hand rested lightly on the edge of the desk, a subtle barrier between Lily and Noelle, but the intensity in his gaze spoke louder than any words.The entire classroom had gone quiet.
Even the teacher paused mid-sentence, marker frozen in her hand… but only for a second. Then she cleared her throat and turned back to the board like nothing was happening.
Noelle wasn't surprised.
She never was.
Lily tilted her head, smiling sweetly at Jihao like he was being dramatic over nothing. "Relax," she said lightly. "We're just going to the bathroom. Girls' stuff. You wouldn't understand."
Mia snickered behind her hand.
Lily leaned back in her seat, watching like it was a show.
Jihao didn't move.
His eyes His eyes stayed locked on Lily, and there was something in his stare that made even Lily's smile twitch.
"I said," he repeated, voice steady, "let go of her."
Lily rolled her eyes, but her grip loosened just slightly just enough for Noelle to feel the tiniest space to breathe.
Then Lily leaned in close to Noelle's ear, her voice turning soft and venomous.
"Don't get excited," she whispered. "I'm not scared of him. I'm just being polite."
Noelle's stomach twisted.
She wanted to step back, to pull away, but her legs felt like they were filled with sand.
And then
Lucien stood.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was sharp. His chair scraped the floor, and the whole class seemed to jolt.
Noelle hadn't even realized he'd been watching.
Lucien's face was calm… too calm. The kind of calm that wasn't peace, but warning.
"Teacher," Lucien said, voice smooth, "are we allowed to drag classmates out of their seats now?"
The teacher blinked like she hadn't heard him properly.
"Lucien," she said, annoyed, "don't start"
"I'm not starting anything," he replied, still calm. "I'm asking. Because it looks like Lily is forcing Noelle to go somewhere, and you're ignoring few students shifted uncomfortably.
Someone coughed.
The teacher's cheeks flushed with irritation. "Lily, if you need to go to the bathroom, go. But stop causing distractions."
Lily's eyes narrowed.
"See?" she said smugly, squeezing Noelle's shoulder again. "Permission granted."
And then she started walking, tugging Noelle along.
Noelle stumbled forward, heart slamming in her chest.
But she didn't get far.
Jihao stepped in front of them fast.
Noelle hesitated… then forced the familiar mask onto her face.
A small smile.
A calm voice.
"It's okay," she whispered, not looking at anyone for too long. "I'll be back."
Jihao's eyes widened slightly, like he could see straight through the lie.
"Noelle" he started.
But Lily didn't even give him time.
"Good girl," Lily murmured, arm still hooked around Noelle's shoulders like they were best friends.
Noelle's stomach turned.
She let herself be guided out of the classroom.
The moment the door closed behind them, the hallway noise swallowed them lockers slamming, distant laughter, footsteps echoing.
Lily's grip tightened immediately.
Her "friendly" arm became a clamp.
Noelle's smile faded, her face going pale.
Rose and Mia followed behind, like shadows.
Lily leaned closer, her voice low and sharp now that no one could hear.
"You think you're cute, huh?" she hissed. "Getting boys to protect you."
Noelle swallowed.
"I didn't"
"Oh shut up," lily snapped, cutting her off. "We're tired of your innocent act."
Noelle's hands curled into fists inside her sleeves.
She kept walking.
Kept breathing.
Kept her eyes forward.
Because if she looked at them, she'd break.
They reached the girls' bathroom at the far end of the hall the one where teachers almost never walked by.
Lily pushed the door open.
"After you," she said sweetly.
Noelle stepped inside.
The bathroom was empty.
Too empty.
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, harsh and cold. The air smelled like soap and something stale.
The door shut behind them.
Click.
The sound was small, but it made Noelle's entire body stiffen.
Lily's arm slid off her shoulders.
And the moment it did, Lily's face changed completely.
No more fake smiles.
No more "best friend" act.
Just pure cruelty.
Lily leaned against the sink counter, arms crossed, watching Noelle like she was something stuck to the bottom of a shoe.
Mia stood near the door, blocking it without even trying to hide it.
Noelle's heart pounded.
Her throat felt tight.
Lily stepped closer.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
"So," Lily said, tilting her head. "You like attention, right?"
Noelle shook her head quickly.
"No…"
Lily's eyes narrowed.
"Then why do you keep showing up?" she snapped suddenly, voice rising. "Why do you keep acting like you're some sad little victim?"
Noelle flinched.
"I'm not"
Lily grabbed her chin.
Hard.
Noelle gasped, her eyes watering instantly.
"Don't lie," Lily whispered, her voice almost calm again. "You love it. The pity. The boys stepping in. Everyone watching."
Noelle's hands shook.
"Please… stop…"
Lily laughed.
"Aww. She said please."
Mia giggled too, but it sounded nervous. Like even she knew this was going too far.
Lily released Noelle's chin with a shove.
Noelle stumbled back, hitting the sinks.
The cold porcelain dug into her spine.
Lily leaned in close again, her eyes glittering.
"You know what I think?" she said softly. "I think you're disgusting."
Noelle's breath hitched.
Lily's finger traced the edge of Noelle's collar, like she was inspecting her.
"And I think," Lily continued, voice dripping with satisfaction, "you need to learn your place."
Noelle's eyes darted to the door.
Mia was still there.
Blocking it.
Noelle's chest tightened.
She could feel the panic rising, crawling up her throat like smoke.
And then
Lily reached into her pocket and pulled out something small.
A black marker.
Noelle's blood went cold.
Lily uncapped it with her teeth.
"Hold her," Lily said casually, like she was ordering fries.
Zoey's smile widened.
Mia hesitated.
"What…?" Mia mumbled.
Lily's eyes flicked to her, sharp and warning.
Mia swallowed, then stepped forward.
Noelle shook her head rapidly.
"No no, please!"
Lily grabbed Noelle's wrists first, yanking them behind her back.
Noelle cried out, struggling, but Zoey was stronger than she looked.
Mia grabbed her shoulders, pinning her.
Noelle's breathing turned frantic.
"Stop! Please! I didn't do anything!"
Lily stepped closer, marker raised.
"This," Lily said softly, "is for thinking you belong here."
Noelle squeezed her eyes shut.
"Lily…" Mia whispered. "maybe this is too much."
Mia's face flushed, humiliation mixing with fear.
Lily leaned in even more, voice quiet and deadly.
"If you don't want to help," she murmured, "then move. I'll do it myself."
Mia's eyes flicked to Noelle.
Noelle was shaking so hard her teeth almost clicked.
Lily's grip on her wrists tightened.
"Don't squirm,lily muttered, annoyed.
Noelle squeezed her eyes shut again, trying to disappear into herself.
But then when lily was about to take off Noelle scarf saw a small wound on her cheek were her hair and scarf cover it