Students milled around her on their way into the school but Harper felt stuck, paralyzed near the entrance. Her stomach churned with a familiar dread that was fueled by the memory of that disastrous first day just two weeks ago. The morning sun streamed in through the glass doors, casting a hard glare on the tiled floor. It made the hallway too bright, almost blaring. Readjusting the straps of her bag that dug painfully into her shoulder, she told herself to relax and took the first step inside. As the double doors opened, Harper's pseudo-confidence vanished because she was utterly alone.
The moment she stepped inside, the atmosphere changed drastically. She paused alongside everyone else and suddenly all eyes were on her as conversations halted. Seconds passed before the whispers started, low at first but becoming more animated by the second. She had always been the subject of gossip but this time it felt different. It felt personal. Because they weren't just talking about her involvement in the fight but the secrets she'd tried to keep locked away. Her former friends watched her with reproach, shaking their heads in disbelief, disgust, and disappointment. The looks and whispers carried a sting that cut through her.
Harper took a breath to steady her nerves and walked with her head down to avoid the stares but the whispers reached her nonetheless.
Her gaze shifted around the hallway and her heart sank when she saw Demetri and Hawk in a standoff. They were two minutes into their second first day and already tensions were rising. Harper held her breath, hoping that nothing would come of it. She desperately wanted to step in and diffuse the fight but was her help even welcome? She remembered how hurt and betrayed Demetri had felt the other night and the answer seemed clear: her help wasn't needed or wanted.
It took everything in her to walk away, even when a teacher stepped in to make sure no fights were started. A sigh of relief escaped her lips but a frown graced her face when Sam entered the hallway and was given the same treatment as her. Whispers, laughs and looks followed Sam despite her trying to shake them off.
Their eyes met briefly and Harper offered a small, hopeful smile. A peace offering of sorts. An apology that had to have been the hundredth she'd given her. She wasn't expecting much but the cold, dismissive look she got stung more than the whispers.
Everyone's attention was now locked in on Sam, allowing Harper the opportunity to slip past the main crowd of students. She didn't make it more than a few feet before a familiar voice called her name.
"Hey, look who's back!" Kyler called, his tone annoyingly upbeat.
Closing her eyes, she blew out a breath before turning around to face him. A broad grin was on his face as he walked up to her with some of his friends trailing behind. The casual way he walked over, hands in his pockets, only fueled her irritation.
"Hey," Harper replied, pasting a smile onto her face to hide her flat tone.
"So how was your little 'vacation'?" Brooks asked, raising an eyebrow with a hint of sarcasm.
"It was a suspension. I was standing up for my friends but thanks for the concern," Harper said, trying to keep her tone even.
"Oh, right. My bad," Rory said with mock sincerity, sharing an amused look with Brooks. "It's not every day someone gets suspended after just one day. Must be some kind of record."
"Yeah, I guess so," Harper said, refusing to take the bait. Her fingers curled into the strap of her bag, her knuckles whitening from the pressure.
"Bet you missed seeing me every day," Kyler said with a grin.
Harper looked around the packed hallway, aware of all eyes on them. She forced a tight smile onto her face and fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Yeah, something like that."
"I told you she couldn't stay away from me for too long. We totally hit it off at the party," Kyler said and turned to his friends with a cocky grin. There was something in the way he said it, the way he looked back at her, that made her skin crawl. "You probably couldn't wait to see me again, huh?"
At that, she wished the ground would open and swallow her whole. Her stomach churned, knowing that this was all just a game to him. A way to impress his friends by pretending she was head over heels for him. "Actually, I've been busy so you were kinda the last thing on my mind. No offense."
His friends snickered behind him but her comment didn't deter him in the slightest. His smirk only grew wider. "Oh, yeah. Sure. Listen, you should totally sit with us at lunch. You know, since we never had a chance to hang out that first day. We wouldn't want you to feel left out after all that drama."
Harper knew his idea of "hanging out" meant more bullshit of looking good to his friends by teasing her further. By playing whatever game he was currently playing, one that she had no interest in partaking in. "Thanks but I'm good."
Kyler raised an eyebrow, surprised by her answer. Stepping closer to her, he lowered his voice. "Come on, Harper. Don't be like that. You don't really want to spend lunch alone, do you? It's important who you sit with on the first day."
"Yeah, Harper. It's just lunch. We're all friends here, right?" Brooks asked before she could respond. An entertained look crossed his otherwise bored face as he waited for her answer.
Not really, she thought but forced herself to not say it aloud. "Maybe another time. I have some things I need to catch up on. You know, since I was suspended and all that," she said with the hope that it would end the conversation. That he would get the hint and walk away.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Kyler's face at her answer. Ignoring his friends' laughter, he kept his smile in place. "Okay, well, you know where to find us," he said with that smug grin of his. With a wink her way, he walked away with his friends while snickering and nudging each other.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she unclenched her fists, feeling the sting of the moon-shaped imprints on her palms. The snide comments and looks followed her as Harper headed up the stairs toward her locker. She was eager to get the first day over despite first class not having started yet. This would be so much easier with her friends by her side. The weight of their silent treatment hung heavy on her shoulders, making her wonder when or if they would ever forgive her and her chest tightened with guilt and loneliness. She replayed their last conversation together, and she doubted they'd ever talk to her without the usual edge of anger or disappointment in their voices.
Fumbling with the combination, she managed to get the locker door open and stared into the cramped space for a few moments. Snippets of conversation still reached her and once again she felt like an outsider where every one of her moves was judged, and every decision she'd made was scrutinized. It was like living under a microscope and she wished she could go back to just being a foster kid that no one paid any attention to. But the students of West Valley fed off of the drama, hungry for more, and with Miguel in the hospital, all their attention was focused on her.
"Hey." Hawk leaned against the locker next to hers, arms crossed over his chest as he studied her. "Ready for the first day back?"
"Not really," Harper said truthfully. She pushed her books and notebooks into her bag before shutting the door with a decisive click. "You?"
A sense of discomfort crossed his expression as Hawk shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I guess. Not exactly the perfect start to the year."
"Because of the fight?"
"Yeah but now everyone's acting like Demetri's the school hero or some bullshit like that just because he kicked me through the trophy case. He just got lucky," he replied bitterly.
Harper rolled her eyes but smiled sympathetically. "You gotta admit, it was pretty awesome. I mean, that he stood up for himself, not him hurting you."
"He didn't hurt me," Hawk said indignantly, sighing. "But I worked too hard to go back to being the loser freak everyone makes fun of."
"I know you did but that won't happen. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"I hope you're right," he said before a flicker of a smile crossed his face. "But it took him long enough to stand up for himself. I'm kinda proud of him." He shook his head at the smile on her face and pointed to her. "If you tell anyone that, I'll deny it."
"Don't worry. Secrets safe with me," Harper promised.
"So, what did he want?" Hawk asked as they started to walk toward their first class together. The whispers followed them relentlessly as did the stares that were a mix of judgment and entertainment. "I saw you talking with Kyler before."
"Nothing." Harper shrugged, trying to sound indifferent. But the knot in her stomach betrayed her calm demeanor. Kyler's sudden fascination with her left her feeling uneasy even if she refused to let it show.
"Nothing, huh?"
Harper sighed, throwing a look his way. "He's just been acting like we're best friends ever since we talked at Moon's party. And he wants me to sit with him and his friends at lunch."
"What did you say?" He asked so casually that anyone would've missed the flicker of concern in his tone.
Harper tilted her head with exasperation. "What do you think? I said no, obviously."
"Oh. Okay, good," he said with a sigh of relief, throwing a look her way. "I'm just worried, foster. You don't know Kyler like I do. He's not just some arrogant rich kid. He'll manipulate you into doing whatever he wants just to show off to his friends. And I've seen what he can do when he doesn't get his way."
"I know that. I'm not an idiot, Hawk." Harper brushed off his concern but Kyler's cocky smile flashed in her mind. She told herself that it was just high school drama but something told her it was something more. That maybe, just maybe, Hawk was right to worry.
"I never said you were. I'm just worried-"
"I get it but I've known guys like Kyler my whole life. Trust me, I can take care of myself." Harper appreciated the concern but she'd learned the hard way that she couldn't rely on anyone but herself. Her whole life had been one big battle — each foster home worse than the last with each person all the more eager to knock her down. But the cruelty of her life made her tough and resilient.
Hawk started to say more but stopped though the concern remained on his face. "Okay. You're right. But just promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
Save for the whispers and stares, the first half of the school day went by uneventfully. It was more than Harper could've asked for. The most difficult part was not having anyone to talk to. She found herself constantly checking her phone, hoping for a message or a distraction but the screen remained stubbornly dark. Her friends avoided her like the plague, shunning her out of their circle. She held out hope that they would forgive her eventually but she also wasn't holding her breath.
The relative quiet of the morning shifted into the chaotic loudness of lunchtime. Her eyes scanned the expansive room, aware that eyes were on her. Her heart raced as she carried her tray, desperately wishing for a place to escape the scrutiny. She shifted with her tray of food, her heart beat annoyingly unsteady. A few familiar faces stood out to her but everyone in Miyagi-Do did their best to avert her gaze. Cobra Kai, on the other hand, watched her warily but with amusement, as she stood like a deer in headlights in the open room.
There was no free table, no corner she could sit in and be alone. Harper silently weighed the option of finding an empty hallway in order to avoid the cafeteria's relentless gaze. It was a tough decision as each option seemed to highlight her isolation. While heart-wrenching, this wasn't anything she hadn't dealt with before. Harper was used to eating alone but somehow the loneliness was more jarring. Because she'd had friends and lost them to her lies.
Harper was about to leave the packed room, anything to get out of the uncomfortable spotlight when Kyler's voice sliced through the cafeteria chatter. He walked over with that same smug grin fixed on his face.
"Hey! Looking for somewhere to sit?" He asked cheerfully, the falsely warm tone grating on her nerves while his too-casual manner made it obvious he was putting on a show for his friends. "It's kinda packed in here."
"I'll find something," she said absently, letting her eyes scan the room one last time in the hopes that something would open up. Because she could feel Kyler's words before he spoke them.
"There's room at my table," he said predictably, nodding towards the table where his friends were sitting. His hand brushed against her arm as he pointed, his touch lingering for longer than was necessary.
"I think I'll pass but thanks."
Sensing her hesitation, he smiled reassuringly. "Oh, come on. Don't be like that, Harper. I mean, it's not like any of your loser friends are asking you to sit with them," he said gesturing toward where Demetri and his friends were pointedly ignoring her.
It took everything to keep her composure. Her jaw tightened as she felt a rush of anger and shame. Somehow hearing Kyler talk shit about her friends was worse than when Hawk did it because she understood the rivalry between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do. Kyler's only reasoning was because he could and it grated on her nerves.
"Besides, we don't bite… unless you're into that," Kyler added with a wink. When Harper didn't answer, he draped an arm around her shoulders and steered her to his table despite her reluctance where his friends were watching them with interest. Their eyes were like predators assessing their prey, their amusement barely masked. But Harper kept her guard up, not trusting them one bit. She stiffened under Kyler's arm, feeling a wave of unease at the unwanted contact.
Reluctantly, she sat down at the table and prepared herself for their probing questions. Anxiety churned in her stomach but she forced a smile, determined to keep her composure. She knew their type well - cocky, entitled jocks who loved to belittle those around them. Despite her uneasiness, she offered them a smile. "Hey."
Brooks and Rory greeted her as they leaned back in their chairs, wearing polite yet insincere smiles.
"Look who finally decided to sit with us," Brooks commented as he made room at the table for her. He shared a conspiratorial smile with his friends, anticipating an entertaining lunch hour.
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't say I had much of a choice," Harper answered, clarifying how she felt about sitting with them.
"So Kyler couldn't stop talking about you since the party," Rory said, steering the conversation towards a topic he knew Kyler wanted to direct it in. After all, it was the reason why Harper was sitting with them.
"Must've been a slow few weeks for him," Harper said dryly, her sarcasm not lost on Kyler who let out a humorless laugh. His smile faltered slightly but he recovered quickly as his friends exchanged glances, egging him on silently.
"Nah, it just means you left an impression," he said, recovering from her comment by flashing her a smile.
Unimpressed, she arched a brow. "Guess it's not every day you meet someone who doesn't fall for your charm."
"Oh, come on. You know we hit it off at Moon's party," Kyler pressed confidently.
"I guess. I mean, if you can call a brief chat as hitting it off. But that doesn't exactly make us best friends you know," she replied, keeping her tone light but guarded. The words hung in the air, a clear dismissal of his advances.
Rory looked between the two of them as the mood shifted towards unpleasant. Clearing his throat, he put on his best smile and asked, "So what did you end up doing on your break? Any fun stories?"
Harper shrugged as she picked at her food. "Not much. I pretty much just did homework. There's kind of a lot I have to catch up on," she said, wrinkling her nose at the daunting workload that awaited her.
"Sounds boring," Kyler said dully before he leaned toward her with a grin. "You know, if you want, I can help you study. I promise not to distract you too much."
"No, I'm good but thanks for the offer. Besides, I actually want to pass my classes," Harper said, watching his smile falter momentarily. The brief disappointment in his eyes was quickly masked by his attempt to maintain his charm.
She could see his confidence waning slowly but knew that he wouldn't be deterred so easily even if this was new territory for him. As his friends exchanged a few more glances, their silent encouragement was palpable, adding to the mounting pressure of the situation.
"You sure you don't want any help? I'm a great study partner," Kyler continued.
"Yeah, Kyler's best subject is chemistry," Brooks said with a snicker as he leaned in. "Bet he could show you a few experiments if you asked him nicely."
Harper shot them a withering look but did her best to keep her tone light. "Maybe you should study with him. It might help you gain another brain cell if you try hard enough."
Their expressions hardened momentarily, and Brooks's smirk faltered before they masked their annoyance with tight smiles. Harper knew this wasn't the end of their little games, but she refused to let them see how much they were getting to her.
"You're really making this harder than it needs to be, Harper." He slid closer to her, casually resting his arm on the back of her chair. His proximity felt suffocating and his arm was a heavy, unwelcome weight that seemed to trap her in place. "I'm honestly just trying to help you out," he said, his tone dripping with insincerity.
She fought to keep her composure, her patience wearing thin as she focused on not letting her discomfort show. All the while, her mind raced with thoughts on how to escape this situation gracefully.
"Maybe you are but I'm good, Kyler. Seriously."
He let out a frustrated breath but didn't let his smile falter. "Okay, so no homework help. How about we just hang out and get to know each other better? I promise to show you a good time," he said suggestively, his eyes gleaming with a mix of challenge and persistence.
Harper clenched her jaw and dug her nails into her palms to keep her cool. Her heart pounded loudly, their expectant gazes felt like a spotlight that intensified her discomfort. She didn't want to do or say anything she'd regret but he was getting on her last nerve. The last thing she wanted was to entertain his advances, especially in a crowded room full of students watching their every move. Ready for something to happen that they could add to the gossip and fuel the rest of their day.
Everything she'd heard about Kyler was coming true. He liked to push boundaries, thinking that if he smiled enough and flirted enough it would make any girl swoon into his trap. But Harper was immune to his fake charms, and the realization only strengthened her resolve to resist him even as he bounced back with a new line and a different kind of smile.
But showing any weakness would only encourage him more. Gritting her teeth, she shook her head. "I'm not interested in your idea of hanging out, Kyler."
Brooks leaned back in his seat, a smirk playing on his lips as he nudged Rory. "Looks like Kyler's losing his touch."
"Yeah, she's not falling for your usual lines," Rory agreed with a laugh, clearly enjoying watching him struggle for once.
Kyler shot his friends a glare, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. His usual swagger faltered slightly and he shifted in his seat as he tried to regain his composure. "Thanks for the support, guys," he muttered before deciding to try again. He straightened up and put on his best smile as turned back to Harper. "All I'm asking for is just one date, Harper. That's it. Where's the harm in that?" He persisted, unable to hide the hint of desperation in his voice.
"The harm is that I already said no. Multiple times so just take the hint." Harper was beyond this conversation that went around in a circle. It had been entertaining at first to shoot him down, knock him off his high horse but his persistence was now bordering on discomfort.
"You just need to give up," Brooks said with a laugh.
"She's just playing hard to get," Kyler snapped, louder than intended before scooting closer to her. His arm continued to rest on the back of her chair but his hand traveled down to her shoulder, gripping it lightly and brushing against her skin.
Harper looked from him to where his arm rested, and her eyes narrowed in annoyance as every last piece of patience she had for him vanished. Her heart pounded as she felt the heat of his body pressing against hers. In one swift move, she used her well-practiced agility and grabbed his wrist before twisting it behind his back. He yelped in pain but Harper didn't relent. She added more pressure, not enough to injure him but more so to get her point across. "Still think I'm playing hard to get?"
"Ow, what the hell!" His confident facade crumbled as he struggled against her grip and winced from the pain.
"Let him go!" Brooks demanded, knocking his chair back as he stood up.
"Seriously, Harper, that's enough," Rory said, his voice laced with worry.
The cafeteria fell into a stunned silence as heads turned their way. Excited whispers spread amongst the room like wildfire as people watched on with interest. Some exchanged shocked glances while others twisted in their seats to get a better look at what was happening. The air was thick with tension, the buzz of curiosity and shock buzzing around them, intensifying Harper's unease. Harper could feel Kyler's discomfort and embarrassment at being put in his place, at having his confidence shattered. She felt empowered for standing up for herself but having all eyes on them left her feeling anxious. The weight of the stares and murmurs added to her sense of isolation, knowing that standing up for herself had probably put another target on her back.
Harper kept her grip on him for another moment before releasing him. He stumbled back from her, rubbing at his wounded wrist while he glared at her with a mixture of disbelief and anger. The room was watching them warily as if to gauge how Kyler would react to being put in his place by Harper. His eyes darted around the room and he straightened up, trying to regain his composure.
"Are you okay?" Brooks asked, taking a tentative step towards his friend.
"Fine," Kyler bit out defensively, his pride wounded. Nonetheless, he let out a forced laugh and smiled. "I didn't know you had that in you, Harper. For someone so small, you're really strong. You know, maybe you can teach me some of your moves one day." His voice was overly loud as if he was putting on a performance.
Kyler's attempt to play it off was transparent — his forced smile and exaggerated compliments only made his desperation obvious. The murmurs grew louder as did their fascination with the drama that had unfolded.
Unimpressed, Harper crossed her arms and fixed him with a glare.
Kyler chuckled but there was a darkness to his eyes, a challenge. But he was desperate to salvage his dignity and play this off. "You know, if you wanted to hold my hand you could've just asked," he said with a wink.
Harper rolled her eyes. "How about you just keep your hands to yourself next time?"
His smile faltered for a moment but he forced a smile to play on his lips. "Right. Well, no hard feelings, right? Just a little misunderstanding."
"Sure, Kyler. Whatever you say."
Now that the crowd was begging to lose interest, Harper gathered her thing with a sense of resignation. She was aware that standing up for herself had no doubt put another target on her back and there would be hell to pay for it. With a final glance at Kyler, who was still trying to laugh off the situation, she walked out of the cafeteria amid the whispers and looks that trailed after her. The weight of her actions settled over her, a mix of resolve and anxiety about the repercussions to come.
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thanks for reading & I hope you liked this chapter! we got to see a little bit more of kyler in this part and harper being the baddie that she is. let me know your thoughts on this part. also please don't forget to fave, follow and review!