Something is wrong.
I know it the moment I see Luca waiting in the parking lot after school.
He's leaning against his car like usual, hands in the pockets of his black jacket, but the way he's standing feels different.
More tense.
More rigid.
And when he turns toward me, my stomach drops.
There's a bruise forming along his jaw.
Dark.
Fresh.
"What happened?" I ask immediately.
He shrugs.
"Nothing."
"That is very obviously not nothing."
He opens the passenger door like everything is completely normal.
"Get in."
I don't move.
"Luca."
"It's fine."
"You have a bruise on your face."
"I've had worse."
"That is not reassuring."
He sighs.
"Autumn—"
"Did someone hit you?"
"No."
I stare at him.
"You are a terrible liar."
His mouth twitches slightly.
"I never said I was good at it."
"Then tell me the truth."
For a moment he just looks at me.
Then he says casually,
"I hit someone."
My eyes widen.
"You what?"
"It wasn't a big deal."
"That sounds like a very big deal!"
He glances around the parking lot.
"Lower your voice."
"Why were you fighting someone?"
"They deserved it."
"That is not an explanation."
He studies me carefully before finally saying,
"He was talking about you."
The words hit me like a shock.
"About me?"
His jaw tightens.
"Yeah."
"And that made you punch him?"
"Yes."
I stare at him.
"You cannot solve problems like that."
"Sometimes you can."
"Luca."
"What?"
"That's insane."
He shrugs.
"Maybe."
But he doesn't look sorry.
Not even a little.