Chapter Three: Lockers,Looks And Losing my shit
School had just ended for the first day—thank fucking God. The bell rang like it was setting prisoners free, and everyone rushed out like the building was about to explode. I dragged myself to my locker, shoulders slumped, brain fried, replaying every awkward, embarrassing, unnecessary moment from the day.
New school. New faces. Same old anxiety.
I was digging through my bag, stuffing books in like I was mad at them, when I realized I'd been standing there too long. Like… too long. I felt that weird sensation you get when someone's close. Too close.
I looked up.
And nearly died.
Leon.
Right there.
Beside me.
His locker was literally next to mine.
"Oh my days," I whispered under my breath.
Of all the lockers. Of all the people. Of all the goddamn schools in this stupid state. I just froze, staring at him like I'd glitched. My brain stopped working entirely. Instead of saying something normal, I found myself staring at his face—his eyes, his smile, the tiny freckle above his lip that my brain decided was suddenly the most important thing in the universe.
Why did he smell good? That felt illegal.
He shifted a little, clearly noticing my silence.
"Uhmm… hi."
That was it. That was my cue. Say something. Anything.
I didn't.
I stared above his head like there was a ghost hovering there.
"Um—hey. I'm hi. I mean—hello. Fuck."
I swallowed. "I mean… I'm Evelyn."
Smooth. So fucking smooth.
He laughed—not in a mean way. More like amused, soft, like I'd accidentally made his day better.
"I'm Leon," he said. "Nice to officially meet you. First day kinda sucked, huh?"
"Kinda?" I snorted before I could stop myself. "That shit was traumatic."
He grinned. "Yeah, same. I think I got lost like five times."
"Same," I said quickly. "I walked into the wrong class and everyone stared at me like I was an alien."
"Okay, that makes me feel better," he said. "I sat in the wrong seat and got yelled at by a teacher who looks like she bites."
I laughed. Like, actually laughed. My shoulders relaxed without me noticing.
For a second, it felt… normal. Easy.
"I guess we're both the new kids," he said, shrugging. "At least we're not alone."
"Yeah," I replied. "That helps. A little."
There was a pause—not awkward, just quiet. He opened his locker, and I noticed his hands were shaking slightly.
"Guess we'll survive," he said. "Hopefully."
"Hopefully," I echoed.
He smiled at me again—warm, gentle—and my chest did that stupid thing where it tightened for no reason.
"I hope we don't find it hard blending in," he added.
"Me too," I said. "Because I really don't have the energy to be bullied on day one."
He laughed, dropped his books into his locker, and nodded toward the hallway.
"See you around, Evelyn."
"Yeah. See you, Leon."
He walked off, and I stood there for a second, smiling like an idiot, heat creeping into my cheeks.
Okay, I thought. That wasn't a disaster.
I shut my locker and turned—
And everything went to shit.
I slammed straight into someone. Hard.
Next thing I knew, I was on the fucking ground, books everywhere, pain shooting up my arm.
And standing over me—
Stacy.
"Oh, for fuck's sake," I muttered.
She screamed. Like, actually screamed.
"You freak! Watch where you're going!"
Her voice sliced straight through my head. Students slowed down. People stared. I tried to sit up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see—"
"Shut the fuck up."
She grabbed my arm and yanked me back down. Pain exploded through my shoulder, and I gasped.
"Listen," she said, crouching in front of me, nails digging into my skin. "I don't care whatever third-world hole you crawled out from—"
My stomach dropped.
"But here?" she continued softly, smiling like a demon. "You breathe when I say breathe."
Her eyes were empty. Cold.
"If I tell you to jump," she whispered, leaning closer, "you ask how fucking high. Got it?"
I couldn't speak. My throat closed up. My heart pounded so loud I thought everyone could hear it.
"I said I was sorry," I managed.
She laughed.
"And I said shut the fuck up."
Her minion—Erica—laughed too. High-pitched. Annoying. Cruel.
Stacy leaned in even closer, her lips brushing my ear.
"If I catch you looking at the new guy again," she whispered, "you're toast."
And suddenly it clicked.
Leon.
That was it.
This bitch was threatened.
I glanced up at her—perfect hair, long legs, tiny waist, confidence dripping off her like perfume. She looked like she owned the hallway.
Then I looked down at myself—hoodie, cargo pants, messy hair, face burning with humiliation.
Seriously? Me?
After she'd had her fun, she stood up and offered her hand.
For one stupid second, I believed her.
I took it.
She yanked me up—then shoved me right back down.
Laughter erupted behind her. Erica nearly doubled over.
Something broke inside me.
Tears spilled before I could stop them.
"Aww," Stacy mocked. "Did I hurt your feelings, darling?"
She laughed harder.
I scrambled up, grabbed my bag, and ran.
Straight to the bathroom. Locked myself in a stall. Pressed my forehead against the door and sobbed like I hated myself.
I stared at my reflection afterward—eyes red, face blotchy, chest shaking.
Keep it together, I told myself. Don't ruin this. Don't mess up.
I promised my parents I'd stay out of trouble. I promised myself I'd survive.
So I wiped my face.
And that's when I heard a knock on the bathroom door.