Chapter 19
742 Words
The days after my return to school settled into a strange, tense rhythm. The bullying from Mia and her circle continued in small, stinging ways, but something new had started happening. Max Lucian’s popular rival had begun showing interest in me.
At first, it was subtle. He would nod at me in the hallways. Then he started sitting near my table during lunch, making casual conversation. “You’re stronger than people think, Lily,” he said one afternoon, his eyes lingering on my curves a little too long. “Not many girls could handle what you’ve been through.”
I shot him a hard glare. “I know you hate me, so keep your kind words to yourself. And if you think you can get close to me because you’re planning one of your schemes again, I can assure you it won’t work.
Why are you suddenly interested in my life?
He ignore the question patting my shoulder and walks away
Max was handsome in a dangerous way sharp features, confident smirk, and a reputation for being as wild as Lucian. I felt uneasy with his sudden act
Lucian noticed immediately.
He kept his distance at first, but I could see the tension in his jaw whenever Max was near me. The rivalry between them had always existed, but now it had a new focus: me.
It came to a head on a Wednesday afternoon.
I was standing near the old oak tree after classes, waiting for Nora, when Max approached me. He was bolder this time, stepping close enough that I could smell cigarette smoke on his clothes.
“You know,” he said, his voice low, “Lucian doesn’t deserve you. He’s played too many girls. But me? I see you, Lily. All of you.”
Why don’t you ask Lucian why he came to you,ask him why he approach you I got curious but I refuse to ask him anything
I’m not interested
Do you think he even likes you he continues as he laughed loudly a mocking one before his eyes turn darker ,hungrily as he looked at my lips my breast and my lips again
Don’t you want me also….
Before I could respond, he leaned in, his hand cupping my cheek as he tried to kiss me. I froze, my heart racing with panic.
“Max, don’t..”
The words barely left my mouth before Lucian appeared like a storm. He grabbed Max by the collar and yanked him back.
“Get your hands off her,” Lucian growled, his voice dangerous.
Max laughed, shoving Lucian away. “What’s the matter? Scared she’ll realize she can do better?”
The fight exploded.
Fists flew. Lucian landed the first punch, catching Max in the jaw. Max retaliated with a hard hit to Lucian’s side. They grappled, throwing punches and insults, rolling on the grass near the tree. A small crowd gathered quickly, cheering and recording on their phones.
“Fight! Fight!”
I stood frozen, tears in my eyes. “Stop! Both of you!”
Mia appeared at the edge of the crowd, her arms crossed. Her face was a mask of pure fury. She watched the two boys fighting over me the “good for nothing girl” she had spent years trying to break.
“This is all because of her?” she hissed loud enough for people nearby to hear. “They’re fighting over that fat, worthless twin? Pathetic.”
Her words cut deep, but I couldn’t focus on her. The boys were still going at it. Lucian had Max pinned for a moment, but Max flipped them, landing another blow.
Teachers finally rushed in, pulling them apart. Both boys were bleeding Lucian had a split lip, Max a bruised eye. They were dragged to the principal’s office while the crowd dispersed, still buzzing with excitement.
I stood there alone, shaking. Nora found me a few minutes later and pulled me into a hug.
“You okay?” she asked.
I wasn’t. Not really.
That evening at home, Mia was in a terrible mood. She slammed doors and muttered under her breath. “Fighting over her? That useless girl? They’re both idiots.”
Mom tried to calm her down, but Mia’s anger was palpable. She hated that I was the center of attention, even if it was negative. She hated that two of the most popular guys in school were fighting because of me.
- Writer
