Ollie swallowed. Hard. But hate dripped from every facet of him.
“Just saying hi to the new girl,” he muttered, stubbornly standing his ground.
“That’s not what it looked like.” K took a step. That was all it took.
Ollie stepped aside immediately. His friends backed up too, like tide retreating. Their snarling faces watched K closely, as if they were waiting for his back to be turned.
Jess exhaled shakily.
I didn’t breathe at all.
K’s eyes finally landed on me.
And something in his expression… changed. Softened. Darkened. Broke.
“Seph,” he said quietly. “You okay?”
Jess shot me a sideways glance—answer him or don’t but be careful.
I lifted my chin.
My voice came out steadier than I felt.
“I’m fine. I didn’t need your help.”
K’s jaw tightened, but his gaze dipped to my hands, my legs, my trembling skirt hem.
“You did,” he said softly. “You do. But that’s fine. I’m here.”
That angered me more than anything.
“Thank you,” I said, meeting his eyes straight on. “But I didn’t ask you for anything.”
Behind him, Dev appeared, leaning casually against a doorway—but his eyes were sharp, tracking every small movement like this was a hostage negotiation.
Jess tugged on my sleeve. “Come on,” she murmured.
K didn’t move.
Neither did I.
The air crackled between us, sharp with history and old scars neither of us knew how to touch.
“Sit with me,” K said finally, firmly.
My brain stalled. “What?”
Jess froze like prey beside me, eyes flicking between us. K made her nervous, this was clear.
“We were just going to get breakfast,” she said carefully.
“So have breakfast with me,” he said. “With us. Both of you.”
The room went quiet—subtle, but unmistakable. Students pretending not to stare but staring anyway.
Jess looked as wide-eyed as I felt.
I swallowed hard. “Thank you for the offer,” I said, voice tight, “but Jess and I are fine.”
