Mated to the Billionaire Outlaw

The cafeteria was a battlefield. Not in the dramatic, food-flying kind of way, but in the social hierarchy kind—the kind where one wrong step could land you at the bottom of the chain, where whispers could cut deeper than knives, and where, today, I was public enemy number one. The atmosphere was heavy with it. As soon as I entered, I sensed the burden of a hundred gazes pushing against me, the low murmur of whispered conversations flowing through the space like a sinister melody. "Have you watched the video?" "She must be so embarrassed." "Aaron will definitely dump her after this." I pushed my shoulders back, holding my head up high despite the knots forming in my stomach. Several hours had passed since the video appeared—sufficient time for it to spread rapidly but not enough for the excitement to fade. At this point, everyone had seen it. And now, I was that girl. The girl with the scandal. The girl with the shame. The girl who, according to campus gossip, had thrown herself at Aaron like some desperate pathetic social climber—only to be humiliated and discarded. I wasn’t stupid enough to think I could undo the damage. However, I would not allow them to witness my collapse. After a deep breath, I proceeded to an unoccupied table, my tray held steadily in my hands. I simply needed to make it through today. I barely picked up my fork before I noticed it. A long, unmistakable strand of black hair curled on top of my pasta. Disgust rolled through me. I wasn't foolish enough to think it was coincidental. I gripped the tray tightly, my hunger disappearing immediately. I pushed the tray away, breathing out slowly through my nose. “Ignore it. Don’t give them the reaction they want.” I told myself. But before I could even think about leaving, a shadow loomed over my table. A loud splash followed soon. Chilled, oily milk seeped through my sweater, dripping onto my jeans and marking everything it contacted. Gasping and laughter broke out throughout the roo I froze. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to the culprit. Jessica Reed. Rich. Pampered. Ruthless. She smirked, tilting her empty tray like she’d just done me a favor. “oh no,” she drawled, voice dripping with false sympathy. “Did I do that?” The cafeteria erupted with laughter I snapped. I shoved back my chair, rising to my feet, my pulse pounding in my ears. “How dare you?” I hissed, my voice low but dangerous. Jessica only arched a perfectly manicured brow. “Relax, Selena. It was an accident.” I scoffed. “Right. Just like the hair in my food?” Her smirk widened. “What are you gonna do about it? Cry? Run to Aaron?” At his name, the laughter around us grew louder. Jessica leaned in, her perfume too strong, too suffocating. “Face it,” she said, her voice all silk and poison. “Without Aaron, you’re just another desperate little nobody who thought she could climb the ranks.” Rage flared in my chest. I would not allow her to escape this. "You will apologize," I stated, my tone cutting like a blade. Jessica blinked—then tossed her head back and laughed. “Apologize?” she echoed, in a mocking tone. “Oh dear, come down from your pedestal.” She pivoted sharply, her entourage of supporters following her like dutiful little shadows. I burned with anger. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw my drink at her perfectly smug face. I wanted to— “Don’t,” a familiar voice sighed beside me. I looked over to find my closest friend, Lily, observing the situation with a weary look. I tightened my fists. "She simply cannot—" “She can,” Lily interrupted, shaking her head. “And she will.” She gestured around us, where students were still whispering, still staring. “They wouldn’t have dared to go after you before. But that video gave them courage.” My stomach twisted. Because she was right. I had been untouchable when I was Aaron Carter’s girlfriend. But now? Now, I was just a punching bag. I was nothing. I forced my chin up, shoving the feeling down. “I’ll handle it,” I said. Lily frowned. “How?” But before I could answer, my phone buzzed against the table. I glanced down—and my breath hitched. Aaron: Meet me outside. My hands shook as I gripped my phone. Aaron. Since the video leaked, I hadn’t been able to reach him. His phone was off so I wasn’t even able to leave a message. And now, out of nowhere, he wanted to meet? My heart hammered. Lily peered over my shoulder, reading the text. “Do not go.” I swallowed hard. “What if he—” “What if what?” she snapped. “Selena, the whole damn campus saw that video. He left you out to dry. Now, suddenly, he wants to talk?” My stomach churned. Lily wasn’t wrong. But still… I needed to hear what he had to say. Maybe he wanted me to explain. Maybe he’d finally listen to my side. Heart filled with hope, I pushed back my chair. Lily groaned. “Oh my God. You’re actually going?” I hesitated. “I just—” "Okay," she interrupted me, frustrated. “But, you don't to dp this alone. I will go— I shook my head in disapproval. "I have to handle this on my own, Lily." Lily whispered quietly to herself but didn’t stop me as I picked up my bag and left. The frigid air struck me the moment I walked outside, yet it couldn’t lessen the anxious warmth creeping beneath my skin. Aaron was already waiting. However, he was not by himself. Three of his dearest friends—Ethan, Jake, and Ryan—stood next to him, creating a barrier of unspoken scrutiny. A heavy sensation formed in my stomach. This wasn’t a conversation. It's something else. Panic gripped me, but it was too late. Aaron’s gaze met mine. “Selena.” And just like that… I knew I was about to break all over again.