Episode 6
1324 Words
Sofia's POV
School felt different the next day.
Too quiet.
Whispers followed me the moment I stepped through the gates. Heads turned. Eyes stared. I kept my gaze forward, pretending I didn’t hear my name floating through the halls like a rumor that refused to die.
"Julian is in the hospital."
"William lost it."
"They say he almost—"
Their whimper was making me insane
I clenched my fists and walked faster.
Jessie was waiting for me by my locker. She didn’t smile like she usually did.
“You okay?” she asked.
“I think so,” I replied, though I wasn’t sure.
Julian wouldn’t be coming to school for a while. Knowing that made my chest ache.
As I reached for my locker, a voice echoed through the hallway.
“Sofia Cabello.”
I froze.
Every student nearby went silent.
I turned slowly.
Mr. Benson stood a few feet away, his expression serious.
“The principal wants to see you. Now.”
My stomach dropped.
Jessie grabbed my arm. “What? Why?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered.
But deep down… I did.
The principal’s office smelled like old books and polished wood. I sat stiffly in the chair across from the desk, my hands folded in my lap.
The door opened.
William walked in.
My heart skipped—then sank.
He looked nothing like the confident bully everyone feared. His shoulders were tense, jaw tight, eyes dark with something unreadable.
Anger?
Regret?
I didn’t know.
The principal cleared her throat. “You both know why you’re here.”
Silence.
“William,” she continued, “your behavior yesterday was unacceptable. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated in this school.”
He nodded stiffly.
“You are suspended for two weeks,” she said firmly. “And if anything like this happens again, you will be expelled.”
The words hung in the air.
My breath caught.
Suspended.
The principal turned to me.
“Sofia, you’re free to go. If you need anything—support, counseling—my door is open.”
I nodded and stood quickly, eager to leave.
But as I reached the door—
“Sofia.”
William’s voice.
I stopped but didn’t turn.
“Wait outside,” the principal said, sighing. “Five minutes.”
I stepped into the hallway, my heart pounding.
A moment later, the door opened again.
William came out.
It was just the two of us now.
Silence stretched between us like a wall.
“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly.
I turned, shocked. “What?”
“I said I’m sorry,” he repeated, his voice low. “About Julian.”
My chest burned. “Sorry?” I laughed bitterly. “You hurt her, William. She’s in the hospital.”
“I know,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Do you ever?” I snapped.
He flinched.
“Do you ever think before you act?” I continued, my voice shaking. “Or do you just hurt people and expect them to survive it?”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “You think I wanted that?”
“I don’t care what you wanted,” I said firmly. “You crossed a line.”
“I lost control,” he admitted. “I messed up.”
I stared at him, really stared.
For the first time, I saw it.
Not power.
Not confidence.
Fear.
“You scared me,” I said quietly.
His eyes widened.
“You scare everyone,” I continued. “And that’s the problem.”
Silence.
“I’m suspended,” he said flatly. “Two weeks.”
“Good,” I replied without hesitation.
He winced, like the word hit harder than any punishment.
“You hate me,” he said.
“Yes,” I answered honestly.
He nodded slowly. “I deserve that.”
That surprised me.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me,” he said. “I just needed you to know… I never meant to hurt you.”
I scoffed. “That doesn’t make it better.”
“I know,” he whispered.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I took a step back. “Stay away from me, William. And from my friends.”
His jaw tightened. “Okay.”
I turned and walked away before he could say anything else.
But as I reached the end of the hallway, a strange feeling settled in my chest.
He wasn’t chasing.
He wasn’t threatening.
He was standing still.
And for the first time…
William Jamesmith looked defeated.
****
Williams POV
Suspension wasn’t the worst part.
The worst part was being alone with my thoughts.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my hands folded behind my head. The house was quiet—too quiet. No noise. No distractions. Just my mind replaying everything I didn’t want to remember.
Sofia’s voice.
"Stay away from me."
I scoffed and turned to the side.
Like she mattered.
My phone buzzed.
Ted.
Before I could ignore it, the doorbell rang.
“Great,” I muttered.
Ted didn’t wait for an invitation. He walked in like always, throwing himself onto my chair like nothing happened.
“So,” he said casually, “two weeks off school. Not bad, huh?”
I didn’t respond.
He frowned. “Why do you look like someone died?”
I sat up. “What do you want, Ted?”
He rolled his eyes. “Relax. I just came to make sure you’re not losing your mind over that girl.”
I stiffened. “Which girl?”
He smirked. “Don’t play dumb. Sofia.”
I laughed bitterly. “Why would I worry about her? She hates me.”
“Exactly,” he said, pointing at me. “So why are you acting like she matters? Besides when did u start caring for a girl? Don't tell me you're developing feelings for her”
I stayed quiet.
Ted leaned forward. “Listen to me, man. That girl is nobody. She’s not worth messing up your reputation over.”
“She got in my head,” I muttered without meaning to.
Ted’s eyes widened slightly—then hardened. “And that’s the problem.”
He stood up. “You’re William Jamesmith. People fear you. They don’t question you. And suddenly one girl walks in and looks at you like you’re trash?”
I clenched my jaw.
“She embarrassed you,” Ted continued. “She exposed your secret. She turned her friends against you. And now she says she hates you?”
He scoffed. “You should hate her back.”
My chest tightened.
“I don’t hate her,” I said quietly.
Ted stared at me like I’d said something stupid. “Then you’re weak.”
That hit harder than I expected.
“You don’t need her,” he added.
“Girls like her pretend to be innocent, but they’re the most dangerous. They make you forget who you are.”
I stood up abruptly. “Enough.”
Ted raised his hands. “I’m just saying—don’t let her ruin you.”
“She already thinks I’m a monster,” I said bitterly.
“So prove her right,” Ted replied coldly. “Stop caring.” he growled angrily
Silence filled the room.
Ted grabbed his jacket. “Forget her, William. You’ll be back in school soon. Don’t let one girl mess with your head.”
He walked out.
The door clicked shut.
I sank back onto the bed.
Forget her.
Easy for him to say.
I closed my eyes—and there she was again.
Not scared.
Not crying.
Just disappointed.
I laughed softly to myself.
“Damn it,” I whispered.
I didn’t want to hate her.
But I didn’t know how to stop thinking about her either.
And that scared me more than anything.
- Writer
