I walked into my history class with a sinking feeling in my chest. Mrs. Topas had announced earlier that she would be assigning partners for a project, and I wasn't ready for that kind of social torture.
I took my usual seat, trying to disappear into the background. My eyes instinctively landed on Emily and Carter as they walked in together. Carter looked pale, almost fragile, but I forced myself not to care. I was done caring. Looking away, I barely had a second to compose myself before Sebastian walked in.
His green eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of surprise cross his face. But then, that signature smirk curled his lips, and he strolled over as if he had all the time in the world.
He leaned in slightly and murmured, "We meet again, bumping girl."
I felt the heat rush to my face. Damn it, not again.
Before I could retaliate, Mrs. Topas entered the classroom, clapping her hands together. "Alright, everyone, settle down! I hope you're all excited to work with a partner."
A collective groan echoed through the room. Nobody wanted to be forced into a random pairing—too much risk of ending up with someone completely insufferable.
"I don't want to hear any more complaints," she warned, before diving into the list. "Mike, you're with Emily. Rob, you're with Claire..." She continued down the list, my heart pounding faster with each name she called.
Please, not someone awful. Please, not—
"And Olivia, you're with Sebastian."
I froze. My breath hitched. My skin prickled with warmth.
Beside me, Sebastian chuckled under his breath. When I finally gathered the courage to glance at him, he was already looking at me—with amusement dancing in his emerald eyes. Smug. Pleased. Trouble.
He grabbed his bag, dragged his chair closer, and plopped down beside me. Way too close.
I inhaled sharply and buried my gaze into my textbook, pretending I could actually focus. But I could feel his eyes on me—heavy, teasing, like he was enjoying watching me squirm.
Biting my lip, I hesitated before finally looking up, and when our eyes met...
I knew I was doomed. Not because the assignment was difficult—honestly, history wasn't even that bad—but because Sebastian was sitting right beside me, and I couldn't focus on a single word.
I tried. I really did. But every time I attempted to listen, my brain was just full of him—his deep voice, the way his arm rested so casually on the desk, the occasional way he tapped his fingers like he was drumming some silent beat.
And then, there was his gaze.Even when I wasn't looking, I could feel it. Like a whisper against my skin, a presence that refused to be ignored.
"Olivia?"
My head snapped up.Mrs. Topas was looking at me expectantly.Shit. She had probably asked me something.
Before I could even open my mouth, the bell rang, saving me from complete embarrassment. I let out a breath of relief and scrambled to grab my books, eager to escape before I made a bigger fool of myself.
But, of course, Sebastian had other plans.
"So," he drawled, stretching like he had all the time in the world. "Since we're history partners now, when do I get the pleasure of seeing you outside of class?"
I froze mid-motion, gripping my books tighter. "Pleasure?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.
He smirked. "Oh yeah. Spending time with me is an absolute delight."
I scoffed, shoving my notebook into my bag. "Pretty sure 'delight' isn't the word I'd use."
Sebastian leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Don't lie, Liv. You totally love the idea of working with me. Can't stop thinking about it, can you?"
I turned to glare at him, but that damn smirk made it impossible to look serious. "Oh, absolutely. I was just daydreaming about your extensive knowledge of history."
He grinned, undeterred. "And my charming personality, right?"
I rolled my eyes. "Something like that."
"See?" He leaned back, hands behind his head. "Knew you were obsessed with me."
I let out a dramatic sigh. "So, when do you actually want to meet for this project?"
Sebastian tapped his chin, pretending to think. "How about... never? You just do all the work, and I'll take the credit?"
I gave him a pointed look.
He laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Friday after school? Library?"
I considered it, then nodded. "Fine. But if you show up late, I'm leaving."
Sebastian pressed a hand to his chest. "You wound me, Olivia. Do I look like the kind of guy who'd be late?"
I just stared at him.
He chuckled. "Okay, fair. But I promise, I'll be there."
"Good." I turned to leave, but before I could take a step, he called out—
"Looking forward to our first date."
I whipped around. "It's not a date!"
But he was already walking away, laughing to himself.
And despite myself... I was smiling too.
I have no idea what's happening to me.
It was the second time today that I had talked to Sebastian, and once again, that anger—the fire I had buried deep inside me—was clawing its way to the surface. For years, I had learned to stay quiet, to keep my emotions locked away, to not fight back. And yet, every time I was around him, something inside me shifted. Like he was waking up the version of me I had long forgotten.
I was still lost in my thoughts when my steps slowed, and my stomach dropped.
Brad.
He was leaning against my locker, arms crossed, an infuriating smirk on his face. The moment I saw him, my smile disappeared.
"Smiling about something, Olivia?" His voice was laced with amusement, but I knew better.
I didn't answer. I wanted to. I knew I could. But I just... couldn't.
Brad let out a mocking chuckle, shaking his head. "You think you can just walk around here, pretending like you belong?"
I gritted my teeth. Don't react. Don't react.
But then, without warning, he shoved me—hard.
I stumbled back, my books slipping from my grasp as I hit the ground. My palms stung from the impact, and I felt the familiar prickle of humiliation creeping up my spine. A few people in the hallway turned to look, but as always, no one stepped forward.
"Stay down," Brad sneered. "That's where you belong."
"That's enough."
A new voice cut through the air, sharp and unwavering.
I froze, recognizing it instantly.
Sebastian.
I turned my head slightly, my heart hammering as I saw him standing there, his green eyes dark with something dangerous. He wasn't smirking this time. No playful arrogance. No teasing glances. Just... cold fury.
Brad laughed, stepping back like Sebastian's presence didn't faze him. "Oh, look. The knight in shining armor."
Sebastian didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. He just kept his gaze locked on Brad, jaw clenched. "Pick on someone your own size."
Brad snorted. "Stay away from her, Sebastian. I'm doing you a favor."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "A favor?"
Brad took a step closer, lowering his voice just enough that it felt intimate, cruel. "She'll bring you down. She's nothing. Just a—"
I flinched before he could finish, already knowing the word that was about to leave his mouth.
Sebastian, however, moved faster than I thought possible.
His hand shot out, grabbing Brad by the collar, and for the first time ever, I saw actual fear flicker across Brad's face.
"Say it," Sebastian dared, his voice low and lethal. "I f***ing dare you." Brad hesitated.
And then, with a scoff, he wrenched himself free, stepping back. "She's not worth it." With that, he turned and walked away, his presence leaving a suffocating weight behind.For a moment, neither of us moved. I sat there, still on the ground, my breath shallow.
Sebastian finally turned to me, his gaze softening just enough. Checking me. Seeing if I was okay. But I couldn't let him see me like this. Not like this. Before he could say anything, before he could reach out or offer his help, I shoved myself up and ran.
Ran from the scene.Ran from the way he looked at me. Ran from the realization that he had seen just how fragile I really was.
I wasn't worth it.
I never had been.
Brad was too powerful, too cruel, too untouchable. Anyone who tried to stand up for me would only get crushed in the process. I couldn't drag them down—Sebastian, Emily, Luke... they were too good to be around someone like me. Someone who was broken. Worthless. A mistake. Someone who shouldn't have been born.
My heart pounded, my vision blurred, and before I knew it, I was running.I didn't know where.
I didn't care.I just ran, out of the school, out of that suffocating hallway, out of the place where I was nothing more than a joke, a target, a mistake.
I didn't even stop to grab my car. I didn't stop to breathe. I just ran—until something jerked me back.
A strong hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back forcefully.
I turned, startled, gasping for air—and there he was.
Sebastian.
His eyes were wild with panic, his breathing heavy, his grip firm yet careful—like he was afraid I might disappear if he let go.
"What the hell, Olivia?!" he snapped, shaking his head as if trying to process what had just happened. "Do you—do you have a death wish?!"
I blinked at him, confused.
"A car," he breathed out, his voice still sharp with adrenaline. "A f***ing car was coming right at you! If I hadn't pulled you back, you—" He exhaled shakily, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "God, I don't even want to think about what could've happened."
But I wasn't really hearing him.His words were just noise.
The world around me blurred, twisting into a suffocating haze of shame, pain, and exhaustion. My chest ached, my throat burned, and the weight of everything I had been holding in for years finally cracked me open.
And I broke.
Tears. Hot, uncontrollable tears slipped down my cheeks, followed by silent sobs that quickly turned into something louder, heavier, unstoppable.
I couldn't stop. I couldn't pretend anymore. I couldn't shove it down, couldn't fake a sarcastic smile, couldn't lie that I was fine.
I wasn't.I was so, so far from fine.
Sebastian's anger vanished in an instant. His eyes softened, his features shifting from frustration to something deeper—something raw, something real.
And then, without hesitation, he pulled me into his arms but I could feel that he was siff at first when he hugged me like he was nervous or in pain but
He didn't say anything, not at first. He just held me.
His arms were strong, steady, warm, grounding me in a way I didn't even know I needed. My fingers clutched at his shirt, my body trembling against his, and he just let me cry.
"It's okay," he murmured, his voice softer now. "It's okay, Olivia."
But it wasn't.
And yet, as he held me, whispering those words over and over again...
For the first time in years, I almost wanted to believe him.