The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the Crestwood Academy gardens in a warm light, casting long shadows across the manicured hedges. Avery walked toward the secluded corner of the grounds where Shawn had asked her to meet him, her heart pounding with anticipation and unease. She wasn’t sure what to expect—Shawn’s cryptic note had only added to her confusion about him.
When she reached the spot, Shawn was already there, leaning casually against a low stone wall. His leather jacket hung loosely off his shoulders, and his usual confident smirk was replaced with something softer, almost vulnerable.
“You came,” he said, straightening as she approached.
“Of course I came,” Avery replied, crossing her arms. “You said we needed to talk. So talk.”
Shawn gestured to a nearby bench. “Why don’t you sit? This might take a minute.”
Avery hesitated but eventually sat down, her posture stiff. Shawn joined her, leaving enough space between them to make her feel comfortable.
“I wasn’t completely honest with you yesterday,” Shawn began, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
Avery frowned. “What do you mean?”
Shawn sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “I told you I transferred here because of what I’d heard about you—your transformation, your strength. And that’s true… partly.”
“Partly?” Avery echoed, her suspicion growing.
Shawn nodded, his green eyes locking onto hers. “The real reason I came to Crestwood is because I was trying to escape. Back at my old school, I wasn’t exactly… popular. I got into trouble a lot. Fights, bad grades, skipping class—you name it. But the worst part? I was bullied. Constantly.”
Avery blinked, caught off guard by his admission. “Bullied? You?”
“I know,” Shawn said with a bitter laugh. “Hard to believe, right? But yeah, I was the target. People didn’t like the way I looked, the way I dressed, the fact that I didn’t care about fitting in. They made my life hell.”
He paused, his jaw tightening as he continued. “When I heard about you—how you went through something so public and came out of it stronger—it gave me hope. You didn’t let the world break you, Avery. You reinvented yourself. And I admire that more than you know.”
Avery’s heart softened at his words. She studied his face, noticing the way his usually confident expression now carried traces of vulnerability. “Why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place?” she asked.
“Because I didn’t want you to think I was weak,” Shawn admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But the truth is, I see a lot of myself in you. We’ve both been through things that changed us. And I feel like… I don’t know… like I can talk to you about it.”
Avery felt her defenses lower as she gave him a small smile. “Thanks for telling me, Shawn. I know that couldn’t have been easy.”
As Shawn spoke, Avery found herself relaxing for the first time in weeks. His honesty felt genuine, and his willingness to open up resonated with her own struggles. They began to talk more freely, sharing small anecdotes and laughing quietly about the absurdity of high school life.
What neither of them noticed was Ryan Hayes, standing just beyond the edge of the garden, hidden behind a tall hedge. His eyes narrowed as he watched Avery laugh with Shawn, her expression lighter than he had seen in months.
Ryan’s chest tightened. To him, the scene looked intimate—too intimate. Jealousy bubbled to the surface, mixing with frustration.
“What’s his angle?” Ryan muttered under his breath.
He had followed Avery out of curiosity, wanting to know why she’d agreed to meet Shawn in private. Now, watching them interact, his confusion turned into anger. He clenched his fists, unable to shake the thought that Shawn was manipulating her.
Shawn was in the middle of a story about a particularly chaotic moment from his old school when Ryan stormed into the clearing, his footsteps loud against the gravel path.
“What’s going on here?” Ryan demanded, his voice cutting through the calm evening air.
Avery and Shawn both turned, startled. Shawn’s easygoing expression shifted instantly into one of annoyance, while Avery frowned in confusion.
“Ryan?” Avery said, standing up. “What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you the same thing,” Ryan said, his glare fixed on Shawn. “What are you trying to pull?”
Shawn stood as well, his posture relaxed but his tone sharp. “Relax, Hayes. We’re just talking. Not everything’s a conspiracy.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “I know your type, Carter. You act all cool and mysterious, but it’s just an act. You’re playing her, and I’m not going to let it happen.”
“Playing her?” Shawn repeated with a scoff. “Funny, coming from the guy who threw a football at her face.”
Ryan bristled, stepping closer. “That was an accident, and you know it.”
“Do I?” Shawn said coolly. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re just mad that she’s not falling for your charm anymore.”
“Enough!” Avery snapped, stepping between them. She looked at Ryan, her expression fierce. “I don’t need you following me around and acting like you’re protecting me. I can handle myself.”
Ryan’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident. “Avery, you don’t know him like I do. He’s—”
“None of your business,” Avery cut him off, her voice cold. “If you’ve got a problem, take it somewhere else.”