CHAPTER 3
1220 Words
The tension in the cafeteria didn’t disappear after Adrian Voss walked away.
If anything, it grew heavier.
Jason remained standing beside the table, his eyes fixed on Adrian’s back across the room. His fingers were still clenched, the muscles in his jaw tight.
Axton leaned forward slightly.
“That guy just walked into school and started a fight with you on day one,” he muttered.
Jason didn’t respond.
Evelyn looked between them nervously.
“Can someone please explain why that felt like the beginning of a horror movie?”
Still no answer.
Megan watched Jason carefully.
She knew him well enough to recognize when something was wrong.
And right now—
Something was very wrong.
“Jason.”
He blinked, as if returning from somewhere far away.
“What?”
Megan lowered her voice.
“What did he mean?”
Jason’s expression hardened instantly.
“Nothing.”
“That didn’t sound like nothing.”
“It was just a stupid comment.”
“Jason.”
He grabbed his tray.
“Drop it, Megan.”
The words weren’t shouted.
But they were sharp enough to make Evelyn freeze.
Megan stared at him.
Jason never snapped at her.
Not like that.
Axton cleared his throat quietly.
“Maybe we should just focus on finishing lunch before the bell rings.”
Jason didn’t sit back down.
Instead, he walked away toward the cafeteria exit.
Evelyn blinked.
“…Did Jason just storm out?”
Axton rubbed the back of his neck.
“Yeah.”
Megan pushed her chair back.
“I’m going after him.”
---
Jason stood outside near the sports field.
The wind moved through the empty bleachers, carrying the faint sound of students still inside the building.
He didn’t hear Megan approach.
But he knew it was her.
“You’re avoiding me.”
Jason sighed.
“I’m not.”
“Then explain why you just snapped at me in the cafeteria.”
Jason turned around slowly.
His expression had softened slightly.
“I’m just stressed.”
Megan crossed her arms.
“You’re not telling me everything.”
Jason didn’t answer.
And that silence told her more than words ever could.
Her stomach tightened.
“Jason…”
“What?”
“What if he’s right?”
Jason’s eyes darkened instantly.
“He’s not.”
“But he said someone wanted me dead.”
“That was Maria.”
Megan hesitated.
“Yes… but Maria is in prison.”
Jason’s voice dropped.
“Exactly.”
“Then why did Adrian say it like that?”
Jason didn’t respond.
Megan stepped closer.
“Jason.”
Still nothing.
Her voice softened.
“You promised we wouldn’t keep secrets from each other anymore.”
Jason ran a hand through his hair.
“I remember.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
The wind picked up slightly around them.
For a moment, Jason looked like he might actually speak.
But then—
His expression closed again.
“There’s nothing to tell.”
Megan stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re lying.”
Jason’s jaw tightened.
“I’m protecting you.”
“I don’t need protection.”
Jason stepped closer suddenly.
“Yes you do.”
His voice carried the same intensity she remembered from the hospital months ago.
“You almost died, Megan.”
“I know that!”
“Then stop pretending this is just a school drama.”
Megan felt frustration rising in her chest.
“I’m not pretending anything!”
Jason lowered his voice.
“You don’t understand the kind of people involved.”
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Megan froze.
“…What people?”
Jason immediately realized his mistake.
“Jason.”
He shook his head.
“Forget it.”
“No.”
Megan’s voice grew firmer.
“You don’t get to say something like that and walk away.”
Jason looked away toward the field.
The silence stretched again.
Then Megan asked the question that made his heart drop.
“Does this have something to do with your father?”
Jason’s head snapped back toward her.
“Who told you that?”
“No one,” Megan said quietly.
“But every time something dangerous happens… you get this look.”
“What look?”
“The one you have right now.”
Jason didn’t respond.
Because she wasn’t wrong.
Megan exhaled slowly.
“Jason… what aren’t you telling me?”
Before he could answer—
A voice spoke behind them.
Calm.
Amused.
“You should listen to her, Carter.”
Jason turned instantly.
Adrian Voss leaned casually against the fence behind them.
Megan’s heart jumped.
“How long have you been standing there?” Jason asked coldly.
Adrian shrugged.
“Long enough.”
Jason stepped forward.
“You’re stalking us now?”
Adrian smirked faintly.
“I prefer the word observing.”
Jason grabbed the front of his jacket again.
“You’re getting real comfortable around here for someone who just transferred.”
Adrian didn’t even try to remove Jason’s hand.
Instead he looked directly at Megan.
“You really don’t know, do you?”
Megan’s voice came out barely above a whisper.
“Know what?”
Jason tightened his grip.
“Don’t answer that.”
Adrian ignored him.
“You survived a kidnapping,” Adrian said calmly.
“A shooting.”
“An attempted murder.”
Megan swallowed.
“Yes.”
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
“And you believe that was just about jealousy?”
Jason shoved him against the fence.
“Enough.”
Adrian finally looked at him.
“You’re angry.”
Jason’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
“I’m about to break your jaw.”
Adrian smiled slightly.
“You should focus on breaking something else.”
Jason’s eyes narrowed.
“What?”
Adrian leaned closer.
“The lie.”
Jason froze.
Just for a second.
But Megan noticed.
And that was all Adrian needed.
His gaze returned to her.
“You deserve the truth.”
Jason pulled him away violently.
“Stay away from her.”
Adrian straightened his jacket calmly.
“Oh, I will.”
He began walking away.
Then paused.
Without turning around, he said quietly—
“By the way…”
Jason’s muscles tensed again.
Adrian finished the sentence like he was revealing a harmless piece of information.
“Your locker.”
Jason frowned.
“What about it?”
Adrian finally glanced over his shoulder.
“You might want to check it.”
Then he walked away across the field.
Megan looked at Jason.
“What was that about?”
Jason didn’t answer.
Because something in Adrian’s voice sounded… deliberate.
He grabbed Megan’s hand.
“Come with me.”
They rushed back into the school building.
Down the hallway.
Past curious students.
Jason reached his locker and opened it.
Then froze.
Inside the locker—
Resting on the shelf—
Was another black rose.
But this time there were two cards.
Jason slowly opened the first one.
The message read:
“You’re protecting her from the wrong enemy.”
Jason’s chest tightened.
Megan picked up the second card.
Her hands trembled slightly.
She opened it slowly.
And her blood turned cold.
Because the message wasn’t written in elegant handwriting like the first.
This one looked rushed.
Almost desperate.
Three chilling words.
“Maria is free.”
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