The first Attack
1163 Words
The rest of the day passed in a blur, but Ava could feel Damian’s warning like a shadow looming over her. Every time she walked down the halls, she caught whispers, side glances, and stifled laughter. She was a target now.
But Ava wasn’t the type to back down.
As the final bell rang, she gathered her books and headed for her locker. The hallway had emptied out, except for a few lingering students. She focused on her combination lock, but just as she pulled it open—
SPLASH.
Ava gasped as ice-cold water poured down on her from above.
Laughter exploded around her.
Her uniform was soaked, her white shirt clinging to her skin. Her books were drenched, ink smudging as water dripped onto the floor.
Lucas leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, smirking. “Oops. Looks like someone forgot their umbrella.”
Ava’s jaw clenched. She turned slowly, meeting Damian’s amused gaze. He stood a few feet away, his hands tucked into his pockets, watching her with an infuriating smirk.
She knew this was his doing.
“Seriously?” she snapped. “This is the best you can do?”
Lucas scoffed. “You’re lucky it was just water, sweetheart.”
More laughter.
Ava’s fists clenched. Her skin was freezing, but she refused to shrink away.
Damian finally spoke, his voice smooth. “Consider it a welcome gift, Carter.”
Ava took a slow, deep breath. She could lash out—throw a punch, scream at them—but that’s exactly what they wanted.
Instead, she lifted her chin. “Wow. You guys are really bored, huh?”
Damian’s smirk faltered just for a second.
“Is this all rich boys do for fun?” she continued, tilting her head. “Or do you actually have personalities somewhere under all that arrogance?”
Silence.
Even Lucas looked surprised at her boldness.
Damian’s blue eyes darkened. He stepped closer, and despite herself, Ava’s heart skipped a beat. He was tall, towering over her, and dangerously close.
“You talk a lot for someone who doesn’t belong here,” he murmured.
Ava met his gaze, unflinching. “And you act tough for someone who’s afraid of a girl standing up to him.”
Something flickered in his expression—just for a moment—but then it was gone.
Before he could reply, Ava grabbed her soaked books and turned on her heel. She refused to let them see her break.
But as she walked away, she felt Damian’s gaze burning into her back.
And she knew—this was just the beginning.
After School: An Unexpected Encounter
By the time Ava reached home, she was exhausted.
Her family’s small laundromat was attached to their apartment, the scent of detergent filling the air as she stepped inside.
Her mother, Sarah, looked up from the counter. “Ava! What happened?”
Ava sighed, glancing down at her damp clothes. “Just… school stuff.”
Her mother frowned but didn’t push. She already worked too hard—Ava didn’t want to add to her worries.
“Where’s Dad?” Ava asked, setting her bag down.
“At the back, fixing one of the machines.”
Ava made her way through the shop, passing rows of washing machines humming softly. Her father, a kind-faced man with graying hair, was crouched beside a broken dryer.
“Need help?” she asked.
He smiled. “Nah, I got it. How was your first day?”
Ava hesitated. “It was… interesting.”
Her dad gave her a knowing look. “You know, sweetheart… people like that—those rich kids—they only have power if you let them.”
Ava exhaled slowly. “Yeah. I know.”
She wasn’t going to let them win.
The Next Day: A New Challenge
Ava walked into school, prepared for more trouble.
But what she wasn’t prepared for—was what she found on her desk.
A printed photo.
Her own face stared back at her, but someone had edited the image—adding fake price tags all over her body.
• Shoes: $10
• Backpack: Second-hand
• Net worth: $0
At the bottom, in bold letters: “Know your worth, Scholarship Girl.”
A chorus of laughter erupted from behind her.
She crushed the paper in her fist, turning to see Lucas and Jace grinning at her. But it was Damian—silent and watching—that caught her attention.
He wasn’t laughing.
Ava marched straight up to him, heart pounding.
“Grow up, Damian,” she snapped, throwing the crumpled paper at his chest.
Lucas and Jace whistled, laughing. “Damn. She’s got fire.”
Damian slowly unfolded the paper, glancing at it with an unreadable expression.
Then, he smirked. “Just having a little fun, Carter.”
Ava’s blood boiled. “Your definition of fun is pathetic.”
His gaze sharpened. “Careful, Carter. You’re making this too easy for us.”
She refused to look away. “You’re right—it is easy. Because I’m not afraid of you.”
For the first time, something flickered in Damian’s eyes.
A challenge.
An emotion she couldn’t quite place.
But before he could respond, the bell rang, breaking the tension.
Ava turned and walked to her seat, ignoring the stares.
She knew one thing for sure—this war wasn’t over.
Later: A Moment of Weakness
By lunchtime, Ava was exhausted.
She found Emily and Jake in their usual spot, but before she could sit down—someone grabbed her wrist.
She tensed, spinning around.
Damian.
His grip was firm but not painful.
“Come with me,” he said, his voice lower than usual.
Ava frowned. “Why would I—”
“Just come,” he muttered.
Something in his expression—almost like frustration—made her hesitate.
Against her better judgment, she let him pull her aside, out of the cafeteria.
They stopped in a quiet hallway.
Damian ran a hand through his hair, looking… conflicted.
“Listen,” he said. “You need to—”
But before he could finish, Lucas appeared, smirking. “What’s this, Damian? Having a little private moment with the charity case?”
Ava stiffened.
Damian’s expression shut down instantly. His fingers uncurled from her wrist.
“She was just in my way,” he said coldly, stepping back. “Relax.”
Ava’s stomach twisted.
Lucas laughed. “Right. Thought for a second you were going soft.”
Damian didn’t reply.
Ava met his gaze one last time, something sharp and unreadable passing between them—before she turned and walked away.
Her chest ached, but she refused to let it show.
If Damian wanted to be her enemy, then fine.
She wouldn’t make the mistake of thinking he could be anything else.
End of Chapter 2.
Now we’ve got more tension, betrayal, and hidden emotions between Damian and Ava. Let me know if you’re ready for Chapter 3!
- Writer
