With my ripped shirt hanging off me like I'd just survived a war, I was walking helplessly, feeling like every eye was on me—probably thinking I was auditioning for some tragic drama.
My mouth was bleeding, my hair was a messy disaster, and my glasses were crooked—yet I didn't notice.
All I could feel was the weight of everything I'd just been through.
Suddenly, someone wrapped a suit around me—big, tall, and smelling so good I almost forgot I was bleeding.
I looked up and saw Ethan. His face was serious, almost like he was about to give a speech that would change the course of history.
He was glaring at Regina and Isla as if they'd just insulted his favorite pizza.
He held me close, gently pushing me aside and called out softly,
"Regina..." His voice carried a quiet authority, but I could hear the concern underneath. Regina, with a smile that seemed too fake, walked over to Ethan and instantly changed her attitude—as if someone flipped a switch.
"Yes, Ethan..." she answered, her tone suddenly sweeter than honey.
Ethan's face was all blank—no expression, no smile, just unreadable. But his voice was deep and serious enough to make me shiver.
"If I ever see you troubling Ayana—or anyone else—again, you're going to hate your life in this school. I'll make sure of it." His words were calm, but they hit harder than a punch.
Regina nodded, surprising me, then pulled Isla by the arm and hurried away, like they'd both just remembered they had an appointment with their villainous plans.
Ethan shot a quick glance at the other students, who immediately tried to vanish into thin air or pretend they weren't there.
I stood there clutching the suit he'd wrapped around me, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.
It felt like every emotion was fighting inside me—fear, relief, sadness, gratitude.
Ethan approached, gently placing his hands on my shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, eyes narrowing with genuine concern.
"I'm okay..." I managed to whisper, feeling like I'd just escaped a nightmare but was still trembling from the aftermath.
He sighed, then took my hand with a delicate firmness. "You need to start defending yourself," he said quietly.
And as we started walking, his poker face was back—no smiles, no emotion, just that steady, serious look that somehow made me feel safe.
In that moment, I realized he cared. In his own way.
I couldn't stop staring at our intertwined hands—partly because I felt a flicker of hope, but also because I knew this moment was fragile, like glass about to shatter.
Maybe I was being too sentimental, or maybe I just needed to hold on to something real.
Whatever it was, I felt a strange sense of calm.
"Maybe you should learn how to fight back," Ethan said, his voice flat, like he was commenting on the weather—so monotone it almost hurt.
His expression was as blank as a blank sheet of paper, making me wonder if he'd just given up on life or was just really good at hiding his emotions.
I rolled my eyes, adjusting my pink dress that was probably more suited for a party than a mall.
My hair was tied in a ponytail so tight I was pretty sure I could use it as a slingshot if needed.
"I know I have to fight for myself," I sighed, throwing my hands in the air. "But you know… I could get expelled, and that's basically the end of my social life."
Ethan nodded solemnly, like I'd just revealed the secret to eternal happiness.
Without missing a beat, he reached into his wallet—probably a portal to Narnia or something equally magical—and paid for my dress with a credit card so fancy it probably had its own Wi-Fi.
We then strolled out of the store, the picture of sophistication.
"You know," Ethan said, voice so smooth I nearly forgot to breathe, "there are many secrets waiting to be revealed…"
I blinked. "What does that have to do with Regina trying to exile me to the principal's office?"
He paused dramatically, like he was about to reveal the meaning of life itself.
"You just have to wait. The truth always comes out," he said, as if he'd just handed me the key to unlocking the universe.
I nodded, trying to look wise, but honestly, I was just wondering what this advice had to do with Regina's latest evil plot.
Maybe Ethan was feeling artsy today. Or maybe he'd been watching too many spy movies.
"Thanks for the advice," I muttered, sighing again. Honestly, sighing was my new favorite hobby. I could do it in my sleep.
As we continued our painfully dull walk down the mall corridor, my eyes caught sight of Nathan.
He was holding a giant poster,—Sweet Treats Available—boldly shouting to the world.
The poster looked like it belonged in a superhero comic, promising happiness in every bite.
My face lit up like a Christmas tree.
Nathan looked surprisingly handsome today—like he'd stepped out of a baking magazine, all confident and adorable. I waved wildly, calling out, "Nathan!"
Ethan blinked, turning to look at Nathan too, and just as I was about to stride over, I felt a grip—soft but hard, like I'd been caught in a bear hug from a very angry octopus.
It hurt, okay? I yelped and spun around.
"Hey! Let go—ouch!" I said, rubbing where he'd grabbed me like I'd just been attacked by a swarm of bees.
"What is it?" Ethan asked, genuinely confused, as if I'd just told him I'd lost my pet goldfish and he was supposed to fix it.
I pointed to his hand gripping my arm like a clamp. Without hesitation, Ethan quickly let go, trying to look innocent but failing miserably.
His face was a mixture of guilt and 'I swear I didn't mean to do that.'
"I advise you not to go to him," Ethan said, voice almost calm but with a dangerous undertone, like he was warning me about a landmine. "It's dangerous."
I crossed my arms, sneering. "Dangerous? Please. At least he doesn't annoy me like you all do."
Ethan sighed, probably tired of my attitude—honestly, I think he was tired of everything. "And excuse you—or me. I am not that annoying?" he said calmly.
I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might pop out.
"Because… I dunno. My life, my… uh… whatever." I shrugged, feeling like I was in some weird soap opera. Maybe I should've just worn sunglasses and acted cool.
Ethan shook his head, giving me that 'I warned you' look. "Okay… go. But don't say I didn't warn you."
That hesitation? Yeah, it made me feel a little uncertain.
Maybe Ethan knew something I didn't.
Or maybe he was just trying to be dramatic. Who knew?
Either way, I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and marched toward Nathan like I was about to conquer the world—or at least get a free cookie.
Nathan looked up, smiling proudly at his poster, unaware that a storm of chaos was about to descend. I approached him, my heart pounding slightly—not because I was scared, but because I was pretty sure I'd just become the main character in a weird life sitcom.
"Hey, Nathan!" I called out, waving enthusiastically. "Your bakery's looking awesome!"
He looked up, bright-eyed, like I was the best thing he'd seen all day. "Oh! Hey! Thanks! I'm just—"
Before he could finish, I felt the grip again—this time, from Ethan, who had somehow followed me like a shadow. His hand gripped my arm with the strength of a steel trap, and I swear I saw his eyes flicker with warning.
"Uh… Ethan?" I asked, trying to pry his fingers loose. "What are you—?"
"Don't," Ethan said urgently, voice low. "It's dangerous."
I looked at him like he'd grown three heads. "Dangerous? Seriously? For what? A bakery? Come on, Ethan. Even you can't be that paranoid."
He shook his head, eyes darting nervously to Nathan. "Listen, I just… I just think you shouldn't go over there. It's a bad idea."
I rolled my eyes so hard I thought I'd get whiplash. "And why not? Because he's secretly a superhero baking in disguise? Or maybe he's part of some secret bakery society plotting world domination?"
Ethan's face was dead serious now. "No. It's… it's just—"
"Just what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ethan hesitated. "Just… trust me. He's dangerous. Like, seriously dangerous. Like, I've seen him mix batter that could destroy the universe."
I snorted. "Right. And I suppose he's secretly baking bombs too?"
Ethan sighed heavily, clearly giving up. "Okay, fine. Do what you want. But don't say I didn't warn you."
And with that, I took a deep breath, looked at Nathan's smiling face. I ignored Ethan's visible warning and walked towards Nathan.