⭐ CHAPTER 12 — The Day Everything Happens at Once
The next morning began wrong.
Not just "tired" wrong.
Not "I haven't slept" wrong.
But the kind of wrong that sits heavy in your stomach the moment you wake up.
Amara felt it as she walked through the school gate.
Students whispering before she even reached the corridor.
Side-eyes everywhere.
People staring at her phone like they somehow knew.
She tried to breathe normally.
But the feeling didn't go away.
Especially when she saw Kyle.
He was standing near his locker, but—
he didn't look at her immediately.
Instead of his usual "Hey,"
instead of the teasing smile,
instead of falling into step beside her—
Kyle looked… conflicted.
His eyes flicked to hers, then away.
Like he was fighting with himself.
Like he didn't trust what he might do if he got too close.
And the crazy thing?
That hurt more than the stares.
"Morning," Amara said softly.
Kyle's jaw tightened.
He nodded. Just nodded.
No smile.
No closeness.
Just distance that wasn't there yesterday.
Amara's chest tightened.
He was avoiding her.
Avoiding looking at her lips.
Avoiding remembering how close he got.
Avoiding the moment they almost had.
And she didn't know why…
but it made a small ache bloom in her chest.
⭐ The Message That Changed Everything
Amara walked to her locker.
She opened it carefully — too carefully — expecting another note.
But nothing fell out.
She exhaled shakily, relieved.
Then her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Her stomach dropped.
She unlocked it.
"I saw you two yesterday."
Her heart stopped.
Another message came instantly.
"He stepped back. Good. He knows what happens if he gets close."
Amara's blood ran cold.
Her fingers shook so badly she almost dropped her phone.
Then—
A third message:
"You're pretending to be brave. But I see you."
A fourth:
"Today will be interesting."
Amara pushed herself against her locker, breathing too fast.
Someone was watching her.
Someone knew what happened yesterday.
Someone was close enough to see Kyle step back.
Her vision blurred for a second.
She didn't even notice Kyle until he grabbed her wrist gently.
"Ama…?"
His voice was worry—raw and real.
She blinked up at him.
Kyle's expression changed immediately.
"What happened?" he demanded, his voice low.
Amara hesitated.
But her hands were shaking too visibly to hide anything.
Kyle gently took the phone from her.
His face darkened.
Eyes narrowing.
Breathing dangerous.
"Who the hell is doing this?"
"I don't know," Amara whispered.
Kyle looked like he was holding onto his self-control by a thread.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice:
"You should have told me."
His voice shook.
"You shouldn't deal with this alone."
Amara swallowed.
Before she could respond—
Vanessa's loud voice cut through the hallway like a razor.
⭐ Vanessa's Public Attack
"Well, look at this!"
Vanessa and her friends approached, smirking.
"Kyle is playing bodyguard again," Vanessa said loudly so everyone could hear.
"How cute."
A small crowd turned.
Amara shrank back instinctively.
Kyle stepped in front of her.
"Move, Vanessa," he said quietly — which was scarier than shouting.
Vanessa laughed.
"Or what? You'll fight again? Like before?"
Kyle tensed.
And Vanessa saw it.
Her smile grew sharp.
"Oh, right," she added, "people forget that you're still the same angry, violent boy from—"
"Say one more thing," Kyle said softly, "and I won't care about consequences."
The hallway went silent.
Kids held their breath.
Vanessa's friends shifted uncomfortably.
But Vanessa wasn't backing down.
She turned to Amara with a nasty smile.
"You know he's only being nice because you're convenient, right? Once he's bored, he'll—"
Kyle snapped.
"Don't talk to her."
Everyone jumped at the force in his voice.
And for the first time…
Vanessa took a small step back.
But before she could respond—
A teacher appeared.
"Everyone inside! Now!"
Students scattered like birds.
But Vanessa wasn't done.
As she walked away, she whispered loudly enough for Amara to hear:
"Let's see how long you can keep him."
⭐ Jonah's Interference
Later, during break, Amara was about to enter the classroom when a hand grabbed her arm.
She turned sharply.
Jonah.
"Let me talk to you," he said.
"No," Amara snapped, trying to pull away.
Jonah tightened his grip.
"You don't understand—"
"Let her go."
Kyle's voice was flat.
Jonah stiffened.
Kyle was standing behind them, expression unreadable.
Jonah didn't release her.
"She needs to hear me."
Kyle stepped closer, tone ice:
"I'll give you one chance."
Jonah's jaw clenched.
Then he dropped her arm.
Kyle moved instantly, pulling Amara slightly behind him.
"What do you want?" Kyle asked.
Jonah's eyes flicked to Amara — desperate, wild.
"He's not who you think—"
Kyle shoved him back.
"Shut up."
Teachers began turning their heads. The hallway started to freeze.
Jonah pointed at Kyle.
"You're going to regret this! I'm trying to help her!"
Kyle grabbed his collar.
Amara gasped.
"Kyle—!"
He stopped only when her hand touched his wrist.
He let go.
Barely.
"Stay away from her," Kyle said coldly.
Jonah glared.
"You can't protect her forever."
Kyle didn't respond — just stared him down until Jonah finally backed away.
⭐ Forced Together
After the chaos, Amara tried to disappear into class quietly.
No luck.
The teacher clapped her hands.
"Everyone, settle. Today you will be paired for the continuous assessment project."
Amara felt her stomach twist.
She didn't want group work.
Not today.
Not with all this tension.
The teacher began reading pairs.
Students groaned and whispered.
Then—
"Kyle and Amara."
The classroom erupted.
"Of course."
"They're literally attached."
"This is unfair."
Amara covered her face.
Kyle glanced at her — not smug, not playful… but soft.
He walked to her desk.
"Hey," he said quietly, "I'll do most of the work."
Amara shook her head.
"No, I'm fine."
Kyle leaned slightly closer.
"You look shaken."
She froze.
He noticed.
Of course he noticed.
"Amara," he said, voice low, "stay with me today. Please."
Something warm fluttered inside her chest.
Not safety.
Not comfort.
Something deeper.
Something she wasn't ready to name.
⭐ The Soft Moment
After school, they sat under the mango tree to plan their project.
The sun was low.
The air warm.
The world quiet.
Kyle was softer now — guilt, worry, fear all mixed in his eyes.
"You scared me today," he said suddenly.
Amara blinked.
"I… scared you?"
Kyle nodded slowly.
"I thought you were going to cry."
Amara looked down.
"I was close."
Kyle exhaled shakily, rubbing his forehead.
"I hate seeing you scared."
His voice cracked.
Just a little.
Amara turned to him.
"Kyle…"
He looked at her — really looked.
And for a moment, the world stilled.
They sat too close.
Too warm.
Too aware.
Kyle reached out slowly — carefully — and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
His fingers lingered.
Amara's breath trembled.
"Kyle…" she whispered again.
He swallowed.
"I don't know what's happening but—"
Then his phone buzzed.
He froze.
The message flashed on his screen.
He turned it toward Amara slowly.
"You can't protect her from this.
We're already close."
Amara's blood turned to ice.
Kyle stood instantly, jaw clenched, breathing heavy.
"Ama," he said, voice deadly calm, "this person is somewhere around us."
Amara's heart pounded so hard she thought it might break.
Kyle stepped in front of her protectively.
His tone dropped to a whisper:
"I swear I'll find them."
Her throat tightened.
Because despite everything, despite the chaos, despite the danger…
With him standing there, shielding her—
She felt safe.
For the first time that day.