Gym class was already my least favorite part of the day. It didn’t help that the Cross brothers were in it too, managing to turn every moment into an opportunity to annoy me. Today, though, I tried to ignore them, focusing instead on not embarrassing myself in front of the entire class.
I was heading to grab a water bottle when I heard their voices. They didn’t know I was nearby, hidden behind the bleachers as they leaned casually against the wall.
“You’re wasting your time, Aiden,” Asher said, his voice confident and full of amusement. “I’ll break her first.”
Aiden snorted, crossing his arms. “Keep dreaming. She’ll be mine before you even get close.”
My stomach dropped. What were they talking about?
Grayson’s deep, cold voice cut through their bickering. “You’re both pathetic,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “She’s not worth the effort.”
I froze. Were they talking about me? Heat flared in my cheeks, a mix of anger and humiliation building in my chest.
“She’s more fun than the usual crowd,” Aiden said with a smirk. “At least she’s got some fight in her.”
“Let’s see how long it lasts,” Asher added, laughing softly.
I couldn’t listen anymore. Heart pounding, I stepped out from behind the bleachers, my voice sharp and full of fury.
“Excuse me?” I snapped, startling them.
Aiden’s grin widened, and Asher straightened up, looking mildly amused. Grayson, as usual, didn’t look surprised—just annoyed.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “You’re making bets about me?”
Aiden leaned against the wall, completely unfazed. “What’s the matter, sunshine? Afraid you’ll lose?”
“Lose?” I echoed, my hands clenched into fists. “Lose what? My sanity?”
Asher stepped forward, his smile sharp and teasing. “Too late for that,” he said smoothly.
I turned to Grayson, hoping for some sort of explanation, but he just stared at me, his expression blank. His silence was almost worse than their mocking.
“You’re all disgusting,” I spat, spinning on my heel and storming off.
Behind me, I heard Aiden chuckle. “I like her. She’s fun when she’s mad.”
Asher laughed. “Yeah, let’s see how long she can keep it up.”
The rest of the day, I avoided them as much as I could. I focused on my classes, refusing to let their words get to me. But no matter how hard I tried, their smug voices echoed in my mind.
By the time the final bell rang, I thought I was in the clear. I headed to my locker, ready to grab my stuff and leave, when I felt someone step up behind me.
“Lila.”
I turned to find Grayson standing there, his tall frame blocking the hallway. His expression was unreadable, but his dark eyes were sharp and intense.
“What do you want?” I asked, my voice tired.
He stepped closer, his tone low and threatening. “If you’re smart, you’ll stay out of our way.”
I blinked, taken aback. “Your way? I’m not in your way.”
“You are now,” he said flatly. “And it’s going to end badly for you.”
I narrowed my eyes, anger rising again. “So, what? You think you can just bully me into leaving? Newsflash, Grayson—I’m not scared of you.”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes. Regret? No. It was gone as quickly as it came.
“You should be,” he said simply, before turning and walking away.
I was still fuming by lunchtime. My tray felt heavier than usual as I carried it through the crowded cafeteria, searching for a quiet corner where I could eat in peace. Unfortunately, peace wasn’t in the cards.
As I passed one of the tables, someone “accidentally” bumped into me, and before I knew it, my drink was pouring down the front of my shirt.
“Oh no,” a sickly sweet voice said. “I’m so sorry, Lila.”
I looked up to see Tessa standing there, fake concern plastered on her face. Her friends giggled behind her, and the entire cafeteria seemed to be watching.
My cheeks burned as I grabbed napkins, trying to clean myself up.
“Don’t worry,” Tessa added with a smirk. “I’m sure the Cross brothers will help you dry off. They seem very… interested in you.”
Laughter rippled through the room. My hands shook as I dumped the rest of my tray in the trash and stormed out, my head held high despite the humiliation burning in my chest.
At the far end, Grayson stood leaning against the wall, his jaw tight, his expression as unreadable as ever. For the first time, I felt a twinge of something I didn’t want to admit: fear.
***
Date: September 1st
Time: 10:45 PM
Tessa. She’s relentless. Her jealousy is driving her to new heights of cruelty. If the Cross brothers weren’t enough, she’s the cherry on top of my nightmare. I’ve never felt so trapped.
They’re playing a game, and I’m the pawn. Aiden, Asher, and Grayson have made it clear that they’re in control. Today, I overheard them making bets about me. It’s not just bullying anymore; it’s a twisted competition.
I’m not sure who to trust—or if I can trust anyone. I wish I could go back to my old school. At least people there didn’t treat me like garbage.
-Lila