The day was more than half over but Harper still had to survive the next few hours. It was getting harder to avoid the looks, whispers and suggestive comments that were thrown her way. She didn't know what she did to warrant all the attention but she wished it would stop. Unfortunately, it was as if everything was amplifying and getting worse. There was nothing she could do to stop it because she had no idea what was even going on. Or why.

After the bell rang, Harper gathered her stuff and escaped into the crowded hallway that buzzed with the usual post-lunch chatter. She kept her head down, feeling pathetic as she averted everyone's gaze but it was impossible to escape the scrutiny. A group of students stood by the lockers, and she caught a few words of their conversation. A few fragments from the sentences that seemed to buzz all around her. And what she heard made her stomach churn and her heart beat frantically – the pieces finally clicking into place.

"Can you guys believe Kyler and that foster kid are hooking up?" One girl asked, her voice dripping with contempt. "I don't get it."

"Right? There's no way Kyler would go for someone like her," another girl said dismissively.

"According to Kyler, she was begging for it."

Harper stopped in the middle of the busy hallway. She was just a few feet away from the group, her morbid curiosity growing despite her heart clenching at what she was hearing. They were aware that she was within earshot but it didn't stop them from talking. Their voices grew intentionally louder so that she could hear them.

"He's been bragging about it all day," a guy in their group said. "He said that he's not even into her. Just wanted to see if he could, like, to prove a point or something."

One of the guys leaned against the locker casually. "Yeah, well, everyone knows foster kids are easy. They're just looking for attention since they never get it anywhere else."

"Honestly, though," another guy started with a leering tone as he locked eyes with her, "she's pretty hot. Can't blame Kyler if he wanted to have some fun."

The girls exchanged knowing looks while the guys' comments lingered in the air. Harper's hands tightened into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Her breath caught in her throat, and a wave of panic-filled nausea rolled through her as she absorbed the venom in their words. The more she listened, the more she realized that every conversation was the same. People added onto the rumor that Kyler started earlier that day, letting it grow in size. Every mocking laugh and comment felt like a fresh cut against her already raw nerves.

She tried to shake off the sting of their remarks but the gossip was impossible to ignore. It didn't matter that she knew none of it was true. Hearing the cruel rumors spread like wildfire was a different kind of hurt. It was a public humiliation for turning him down last week. For daring to embarrass him in front of everyone.

Kyler got his revenge and now she was paying for it.

She felt sick imagining the lies – about her being "easy" – all meticulously crafted to paint her as something that she wasn't. Every fabricated detail was a knife twisting deeper, designed to make her appear desperate and weak when she was anything but.

For a fleeting second, she thought about reaching out to someone for help but she shut it down just as fast. No one would help her. No one cared. She was alone, just like she'd been her entire life. And she'd have to face this alone. A surge of anger bubbled up within – anger at Kyler, the whispers, the unfairness of it all. But she quickly swallowed it down, knowing it wouldn't do any good. She'd learned long ago that showing weakness was a mistake. If they thought they could break her with a few lies, they were wrong.

She entered her next class, opting for a seat in the back where she could hopefully blend into the background. But as students entered the room, they spotted her and knowing looks were passed between them. The chatter dulled but the whispers didn't stop entirely. She felt the sting of their stares, each one cutting into her like a silent accusation. Sighing, Harper got out her notebook and stared down at it with a determination to ignore the comments floating around. She thought she'd heard them all but unfortunately it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Whatever lies Kyler had spread were detailed. Horribly detailed to the point where it would be impossible for her to denounce them. Not that it would do anything because the rumors were out in the world and growing more out of control. People wanted to believe what they wanted, choosing the thrill of a scandal over the truth.

The class dragged on, and it was impossible to concentrate. She'd tried but even with the teacher talking, she could feel the silent judgment that was passed on to her from everyone in the room. After what felt like eternity, the bell finally rang. Harper sighed in relief and took her time packing her books up, hoping the halls would be empty.

For the most part, they were.

A small breath of relief escaped her lips, but it didn't loosen the tightness around her chest. Because this was far from over, nothing but a temporary reprieve from the nightmare she was living.

It was a free period and she didn't know where to go or what to do. Deciding to sit at one of the benches in the hallway, she found a quiet corner and pulled out her books. Homework was still piled high and any dent she could make in it would be good. With her notebook sprawled out on her lap, she shifted uncomfortably against the wooden bench beneath her – the low hum of distinct voices drifting from classrooms into the nearly empty hallway. She stared at the math problems long enough that they started to blur into one misshapen mass. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips as she crossed out yet another answer and tried the problem again. She jotted the answer down but the next problem proved to be more challenging.

She tapped her pencil against her leg as she flipped through her notes for something that could point her in the right direction but nothing clicked.

"It's thirty-two."

Startled, Harper looked over her shoulder to find Jake Mitchell casually leaning against the lockers. An easy grin spread across his face as he glanced at the problem she was working on. "What?"

"The answer. It's thirty-two." Before she could react, he took the pencil from her and quickly wrote down the equation for her in a simple and straightforward manner. He looked over at her with an easy smile. "See? You were pretty close."

Harper gave him a small yet hesitant smile as she glanced back down at the problem. "Thanks. I've been stuck on that for a while."

"No problem. So do you get what I did there or…? No, you still look confused," he commented with a laugh. Without waiting for her to reply, he slid down onto the bench beside her. His body was close but not quite touching hers. He pulled the notebook towards himself, his eyes scanning the notes with a practiced ease. "You're kinda missing part of the formula, here. See? That's why you're struggling so much," he said, correcting her notes. As he handed the notebook back to her, his fingers brushed against her arm - an incidental touch but one that sent a jolt through her. She could feel the heat of his fingers lingering long after he pulled away.

She tried to ignore his closeness as she looked down at her updated notes. "Oh, okay. That definitely makes a lot more sense now."

"Yeah. It's not so bad once you get the hang of it," Jake said, his tone warm and reassuring as he leaned back slightly. For a moment, his hand rested on her knee—a casual, almost friendly gesture that he quickly retracted with a sheepish grin. "Sorry. It's kinda crowded here." He moved over with a chuckle as if it was a harmless mistake.

Harper smiled though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's fine. So why are you helping me?"

He shrugged, his smile not fading. "Because you kinda looked like you were ready to throw your books at the wall."

Despite herself, she laughed. "I kind of was," she admitted, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. Maybe he was just trying to be nice, trying to help. Maybe she was just being too guarded, too suspicious.

"Try solving a few problems on your own. I'll be right here if you need more help." He leaned back, giving her some space as she returned to work. Glancing at his phone, he smiled before replying and looked towards her.

Harper nodded and turned her focus back on the next set of problems. Jake glanced over her shoulder now and then, offering small hints and casual encouragement. When his hand grazed her arm as he pointed out a mistake, he quickly followed it up with an apologetic smile, as if it had been an accident. But was it? There had been a flicker of something in his eyes – gone before she could name it. It felt like a strange mix of helpfulness and something else she couldn't quite place. Was he genuinely trying to be nice or was there something more lurking behind that easy smile of his? She shifted slightly away, mentally brushing off the discomfort and convincing herself that she was just overreacting. That not everyone was against her, looking for a way to get under her skin. The rumor Kyler spread about her had put her on edge, and her trust in people was already at an all-time low.

But as she continued to work, Jake's easygoing comments and light-hearted jokes chipped away at her defenses, gradually making her feel more at ease despite her initial reservations. He talked about some of the classes they shared, joking about a few of their teachers and making her laugh with his spot-on impressions. It all felt so normal, so innocent. It was the first time she'd been able to relax that day.

"You're getting good at this," he said as he watched her get another question right. His eyes caught a book peeking out from her bag, and he pulled it out with interest. Flipping through the worn pages, he glanced up with genuine curiosity. "I read this last year. How far did you get in it?"

"Like about halfway," she said, glancing at the book he was inspecting. "I'm still behind, though."

He nodded, his eyes lighting up with amusement and sympathy. "It's pretty rough. Did you get to the part where everything falls apart?"

"You mean the whole book?" Harper asked with a laugh.

"Yeah, it's like the characters hit one problem after another," he said.

A wry smile tugged at her lips as she considered the parallel between the book and her own life. The story's relentless twists felt all too familiar. She couldn't help but feel as though her own story was being shaped for the entertainment of others, leaving her to navigate a never-ending cycle of obstacles. Because every time she found a glimmer of hope, life would throw another curveball her way. Another setback to drag her back down. Each small victory was overshadowed by the next big challenge.

Absent-mindedly, she retraced the numbers on the page. "It's like they can't catch a break no matter what they do."

His expression turned serious as he nodded. "I know. Like, give them one good day, you know?"

"One good day," she echoed, realizing how much she craved that for herself. Just a single day where it didn't feel as if she was fighting for her life. Where everything stayed stagnant and mundane and… normal. But that wasn't how life worked, at least not for her. While she was used to life's cruel games, she found herself bracing for the next twist in the story. Another tragedy to wreck everything all over again while she hung on by a thread.

"I heard about some of the shit you had to go through," Jake said, offering her a small smile. "People talk, you know. But if I had to deal with half of that, I'd probably have tapped out a long time ago."

"Sometimes I think about it," she admitted quietly. It wasn't something she'd planned to say out loud, especially not to Jake. But now that the words were spoken, she couldn't shake how much truth there was to them. And as the words hung in the air between them, she felt pathetic for saying so much. She'd always been so guarded that letting her guard down momentarily felt wrong.

Jake's eyes flicked to hers, a hint of surprise in them. "But you didn't," he pointed out, sounding almost impressed. "That takes guts."

A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, I guess." As much as she wanted to give in sometimes, she wasn't willing to admit defeat. She'd fight tooth and nail for just a glimmer of happiness. Even if it was constantly out of her reach.

A group of students turned the corner, their voices carrying across the near empty hallway. The moment they spotted her, their eyes lingered just a second too long, and Harper tensed up. Because she knew they were talking about her. It was evident in their hushed tones and sideways glances.

"She moved on fast," one of them muttered, loud enough for Harper to hear.

"Looks like it. Didn't take her long, huh?" Another one snickered with a smug glance her way.

Harper's grip on her pencil tightened. Her stomach was in knots as she tried to ignore them but it was near impossible. She was used to people talking shit about her but this was on a whole new level. And though she tried to keep her expression neutral, the sting of their words cut deeper than she wanted to admit.

Jake's gaze flickered from her towards the group, his eyes narrowed but an ear smile rested on his face. "You guys done?" He called out, his tone casual but there was an edge to it as if daring them to continue.

"Just saying what everyone's thinking," one of the guys shot back with a shrug but his smirk faded.

"Yeah, well," Jake started, his tone still laid back, "no one asked for your opinion. Maybe try minding your own business for once."

The group exchanged uneasy glances. Muttering under their breath, they threw one last look at them before walking away.

Harper let out a breath, her pulse still racing though her death grip in the pencil loosened. The immediate tension in the air had lifted but she still felt uneasy because this was far from over. The whispers would continue until something new happened that would take their attention away from her. But when that would be was anyone's guess.

Jake turned to her, his smile softening. "Ignore them. People love running their mouths when they've got nothing better to do."

Harper forced a tight smile. "Easier said than done," she muttered.

Jake studied her for a moment, tilting his head. "Trust me, I get it. People love to talk but it's just dumb rumors. Let them believe what they want. You know the truth, and that's what matters. You can't let them get to you."

Harper gave a half-hearted nod, unsure how to respond.

Jake shifted slightly closer, watching her with that easygoing smile. "You know, if you ever want to get away from all this, I'm around. We could hangout or whatever."

Harper hesitated for a moment, surprised by his offer. She fidgeted with the pencil in her hand as her guard went up instinctively. But there was something in the casual way he offered that made it hard to say no.

"Hey, no pressure. Just figured you could use a distraction from all of this. You know, to get your mind off of everything for a little bit."

Hair glanced toward him, uncertain but curious. There was something almost reassuring about how laidback he was. No expectations. Just an escape. "Yeah, maybe. I'll think about it," she finally said as a genuine smile tugged at her lips for the first time that day.

And for a brief moment, she let herself relax but a small voice in the back of her mind cautioned her to be careful. Despite everything, she allowed herself to believe that not everyone had bad intentions. For a fleeting moment, she felt the tightness in her chest lift, allowing in a small sliver of hope. She'd been so closed off due to being in the system and everything that happened with Kyler that the walls had been reconstructed. But it wasn't a way to live, so she relaxed. The tension in her shoulders loosened as she let out a breath.

Jake's phone rested between them on the bench, and Harper's eyes flickered to the screen when it lit up with a notification from Kyler. She'd only caught a few words but it was enough to make her blood run cold.

How's it going? Tell me she's falling for it.

"What is this?" Harper asked, gesturing towards the phone.

"What?" Jake glanced over, his smile faltering when he saw the message. The casual ease he'd projected earlier wavered, and for a moment, something cold flickered in his eyes. It was gone in an instant and his calm demeanor was back. Like nothing ever happened. He snatched his phone and turned the screen off. "It's nothing. Just a dumb group chat," he told her with a shrug but she could hear the tension in his voice as he dismissed it. "Kyler's always texting me random shit."

Harper nodded, unconvinced even though she wanted to believe him, to take his words at face value and brush it off as nothing more than a joke. Unease clawed at the edges of her mind, her thoughts reeling. She fought to keep her expression neutral even as her instincts screamed at her that something wasn't right.

"You sure? Because it didn't look like nothing."

His eyes met hers and his smile was softer as if trying to reassure her. "Yeah, I swear. It's nothing serious. Just dumb jokes."

She wasn't convinced because the pieces were slowly starting to fall into place. The easygoing conversation they'd shared suddenly felt like a cruel joke. Every compliment, every flirtatious comment and joke were nothing but a ruse. Her trust, already fragile and hesitant, shattered like glass under the weight of the truth. All the walls she'd built, all the defenses carefully constructed over the years, felt like they'd crumbled in seconds. She'd been naive and let her guard down only to get hurt again. But she wouldn't let them see her crumble. Not this time.

She shoved her books into her bag, her movements moving hurriedly and clumsier. "I gotta go but thanks for the help," she said with what she hoped was a casual smile. Standing up, she slipped the bag over her shoulder and turned to leave.

"Wait up, Harper!" Jake's voice followed her as she started down the hallway. His voice tinged with confusion, underscored by a note of irritation when she didn't slow down. "Where are you going?"

"I just remembered I have something I need to do," she said, managing to keep her voice steady. Friendly. Her mind raced with the realization that she'd almost fallen for Jake's act. Her palms were damp and her heartbeat drummed loudly in her ears. She quickened her footsteps but he easily matched her pace.

He wasn't going to let her get away that easily. He grabbed her arm, spinning her around with a force that made her wince. She could feel the pressure of his fingers, sharp and unyielding, making her heart race faster. His eyes narrowed, frustration etched in his features before he smoothed it over with a casual smile. The hallway seemed to grow quieter around them like the world was holding its breath.

"What's going on? Why are you acting like this?"

Harper glared up at him, her eyes flashing with defiance as she pulled her arm free from his grasp. "Do you think I'm that dumb? I saw the text, Jake. I'm not interested in whatever game you and Kyler are playing," she snapped, her voice laced with anger and hurt.

Jake blinked, the mask of confusion returning as he laughed but it sounded sharp and forced. "Whoa, slow down. There's no 'game'. It was just a stupid text. Don't overreact."

Harper's jaw tightened. But for a moment, her mind squeezed with doubts. Was she really overreacting? Maybe she was being paranoid. But her gut screamed that something was off — something dark was lurking beneath Jake's calm surface.

"I was just helping you with your homework," Jake continued with a casual grin but there was a slight twitch in his jaw. "You looked like you needed help. That's all, Harper."

Harper's grip tightened on the strap of her bag, her mind reeling. But her gut feeling told her that there was more to this, something beneath the surface that didn't feel right. "Right," she muttered, taking a step back. "Because you're suddenly this nice guy out of nowhere?"

Jake blinked, a hint of annoyance crossing his features before it disappeared just as quickly. "What's that supposed to mean? You really think I'm up to something just because I was being nice?" His voice had a harder edge now, his smile slipping. "Come on. You're overthinking this. We were having fun and talking, and you're making it weird. Don't make this into something it's not."

But Harper wasn't buying it. She could see through the facade now, the cracks forming in his act. He was too quick to dismiss her, too eager to brush off the text. "I'm not turning this into anything. You really think I can't see what's going on? This whole thing – acting nice and helping me – it's all part of Kyler's pathetic plan."

Jake let out a short laugh, shaking his head as if she'd missed the punchline. "Kyler's plan? You seriously think this is about him?" His voice dropped to a low, mocking tone as he leaned in. "No, Harper, this was my idea."

Harper blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Jake smirked, enjoying the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "Kyler's not that clever. He couldn't handle it after you embarrassed him in front of everyone but he's all talk. But me? I'm not like him. I don't just talk. I get things done."

Her heart raced while her mind was unable to catch up with what was going on. "So, what? This is all just to prove something to him? That you can do what he couldn't?"

Taking a step closer, his smirk turned into a smug grin as his hand brushed down her arm before resting on her hip. "Kind of. Kyler wanted to hurt you, but I wanted to have some fun first. You were already starting to trust me, weren't you?" His voice softened as he tilted his head. "I saw the way you looked at me."

Her body stiffened, her skin crawling from his touch but she refused to show fear. "You're sick."

But his smirk didn't waver, his hand sliding a little lower as his fingers brushed her waistline. "Maybe. But you played right into it. I got close enough, didn't I?" He stepped closer, forcing Harper against the cold metal of the lockers. "It's simple, Harper. All you have to do is stop fighting it. We could've had fun with this, but you're making it hard. Do yourself a favor and play along."

Pressed up against the lockers, Harper was cornered but she wasn't going down without a fight. Clenching her fists until her nails dug into her palms, she refused to show fear. The cold metal dug into her back, but she refused to flinch. Fear twisted in her stomach, but she wouldn't let him see it. "I'm not playing your twisted little game, Jake. You really think you're in control? You're nothing but a coward, hiding behind Kyler's shadow."

Jake's face flushed, the muscles in his jaw clenching as the rage he'd been holding into free. For just a second, Harper felt a hint of satisfaction at getting under his skin. But that satisfaction was short-lived as his eyes darkened. He stepped closer, pinning her against the lockers, his breath hot against her face as he leaned in, his voice a low hiss. "Coward? No, I'm just smarter than you. Everyone already thinks you slept with Kyler. Who'd believe you over us? To them, you're just some slut desperate for attention."

Harper's jaw tightened and her heart raced but she met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "Screw you, Jake. I'm not scared of you, and I never will be." Summoning all her strength, she shoved him away but the space was still too narrow for her to get away.

Jake stumbled back, surprised by the force of her push, but then his shock melted into fury and he closed the gap between them, his moves more fast and forceful now. His hand came down hard against the locker next to her head with a loud, reverberating bang that made her wince. The impact made the metal groan and echo throughout the hallway. His face was inches from hers, his breath hot on her skin, his grip bruising her arm.

"You think you're tough, huh?" he sneered, tightening his grip. "You're a joke, Harper. A sad, pathetic joke. No one's ever going to take you seriously. They'll believe whatever we say because you're nothing."

Harper kept her expression neutral despite the fear that coursed through her. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her break. She could feel her pulse in her throat, every beat a reminder that she couldn't back down, not now.

The sharp click of heels in the floor echoed, and Mrs. Davis rounded the corner. Her brow furrowed instantly as she took in the scene—the way Jake stood too close to Harper, his hand pressed against the locker, Harper's body tense and trapped. She paused, uncertainty flickering across her face as she tried to assess the situation.

"What's going on here?" Mrs. Davis called out, her sharp voice cutting through the tension. "Shouldn't you two be in class?"

Jake's demeanor shifted in an instant as he straightened up, his grip on Harper's arm loosening just enough to look casual. "Oh, hey, Mrs. Davis. We were just talking. Nothing serious," he said, flashing a charming smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Mrs. Davis' gaze flickered between them, her expression skeptical. She looked directly at Harper, noticing the tension in her shoulders and the way she seemed to press against the lockers. "Are you sure everything's alright, Harper?"

Harper's heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel Jake's fingers dig slightly into her arm, a silent warning. She swallowed hard, the urge to ask for help crashing against the fear of what Jake might do if she did. "Yeah, it's fine," she said, forcing a smile that felt brittle on her lips. "We were just… joking around."

Mrs. Davis hesitated, her brows knitting together. "Joking around? It doesn't look that way." Her eyes lingered on Jake's hand, still too close to Harper's arm.

Jake's smile didn't waver, but his fingers subtly tightened again. "Everything's fine, Mrs. Davis. Promise," he said smoothly, his tone light but his grip on Harper just firm enough to remind her who was in control.

Mrs. Davis nodded slowly, but concern etched her features. "Alright. Just… be mindful, you two. Classes are still in session." She lingered for a beat longer than necessary, her eyes darting between them before finally turning away, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway.

As her figure disappeared around the corner, Harper's breath hitched in her throat. Jake's smile dropped instantly, his eyes turning hard and his grip tightening like a vice. His thumb pressed into her skin, a silent threat, and Harper knew she was back on her own.

He leaned in, his body pressing against hers, as he casually rested his hand on the lockers beside her head. He was close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him, his breath falling across her face, making her stomach twist. The scent of cheap cologne mixed with sweat was suffocating.

"See how easy that was?" His voice was low as if they were sharing a private joke. "She didn't even blink. She bought every word I said. And that's how it'll go with everyone else."

Harper clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms to steady herself against the panic rising in her chest. She struggled to maintain her defiant stance. "I'm not scared of you," she spat, refusing to let her voice waver, even as her heart hammered in her ears.

He tilted his head, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. Slowly, he let go of her arm and brushed her hair away from her face in a mockingly gentle gesture. His hand lingered at her neck and traced the skin there with a deliberate slowness as her muscles tightened.

"You're not scared?" Jake whispered, leaning closer until his lips nearly touched her ear. "So why is your heart beating so fast?"

Harper froze as she realized that he could feel it — the way her pulse raced against her skin, how it betrayed the fear she'd so desperately tried to hide. While her heart raced, she hardened her expression, glaring up at him.

He chuckled softly. "You can act tough all you want. But your body's giving you away."

"Go to hell," she said, her voice surprisingly steady.

His hand slid from her neck down her shoulder, the movement agonizingly slow until his fingers grazed her waist. The touch was deceptively light, almost casual to anyone watching, but to Harper it felt like a leash tightening around her.

"You see," Jake said, his fingers creeping just beneath the hem of her shirt as his thumb brushed against her skin. "Kyler's an idiot. All he's got are rumors with nothing to back them up. But me? I make sure there's a real story for people to believe."

Her panic rose as she realized just how dangerous this had become. His hand stayed on her waist with an air of possession that made her feel sick. She froze when she heard footsteps approaching — a couple students passed by, their voices lowering as they glanced in their direction.

Jake didn't move. He just grinned, his eyes briefly flicking towards the students as he acknowledged them without a care in the world. His fingers tightened on her waist as he leaned in.

"They're already looking," he whispered, his voice filled with satisfaction. "And they saw everything they needed to see. They're going to be talking soon, and won't question anything. Because they already believe it. I don't even have to say anything. It's that easy."

Her chest tightened as she felt the weight of the situation crashing down on her, suffocating. But even with panic coursing through her veins, she refused to let him win. "You're pathetic. You hide behind your stories because that's all you have, and without them, you're nothing."

"You think so, huh?" His eyes darkened momentarily while his hand crept higher, slipping beneath her shirt just enough to make her skin crawl. "I've been doing this for a long time. People like you — people who think they can fight back? You're all the same. You all break eventually."

His words sent a wave of nausea through her. But she tried her teeth, refusing to let him see just how much he was getting to her. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. "When this falls apart — and it will — you'll have nothing."

Jake's grin faltered for a second before his grip tightened. His hand slid further up her back, his touch possessive as if claiming ownership over her. "Maybe," he said softly. "But today? You're mine. And no one's going to stop me."

His words slithered out like poison, each one sinking deep, meant to break her from the inside out.

"Get off me," Harper spat, shoving against his chest with all her strength.

Jake caught her wrist and his smirk returned, smug and mocking. "Nice try," he whispered, his voice full of amusement as his thumb pressed into the tender skin of her wrist. "But we both know you're not going anywhere."

His words sent a chill down her spine, the reality of her isolation sinking deeper into her. Ines.

His eyes glinted with cruel amusement at the fear in her eyes. He smirked, his lips curling in satisfaction at the flicker of uncertainty on her face, then leaned in again, his mouth close to her ear. "You can fight all you want, Harper. But you're all alone. No one's coming to save you."

Before Harper could react, Jake was yanked away from her with such force that she stumbled forward, struggling to regain her balance. Hawk stepped between them, his hand gripping Jake's shirt as he slammed him into the lockers, the metal rattling with the force.

"What the hell?" Jake shouted, his voice laced with irritation as he tried to shove him back with all of his strength. "We were just talking!"

"You call that talking?" Hawk asked, his voice low and deadly as he shoved him back against the lockers. "I saw the way you had her pinned against the lockers with your hands all over her."

Jake's smirk barely faltered, his eyes narrowed with a twisted kind of amusement. "So what? Maybe she liked it, ever think of that?"

Hawks jaw tightened but his voice stayed ice-cold. "Liked it? I saw her trying to push you off. She told you to back the hell off, but you didn't listen."

Jake shrugged, his smirk widening. "Oh yeah? Maybe she's just playing hard to get. Girls like her always act tough but, deep down, they —"

Hawk didn't let him finish.

His fist flew through the air, landing squarely on Jake's jaw with a sickening crunch. The impact echoed through the hallway as Jake stumbled back into the lockers. He clutched his face, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and for a moment, he just stared at the blood before letting out a low, shaky laugh.

"That's it?" Jake taunted though his voice wavered slightly. "One punch for your little charity case?"

"Touch her again," Hawk's voice dropped to a cold whisper, "and next time, I won't just stop at a punch. I'll break every bone in your body, one by one. You won't be able to walk out of here."

Jake's eyes widened, shock overtaking the anger simmering just beneath the surface. He tried to jerk free, but Hawk's grip was ironclad, unyielding. "Get off me!"

"Why? You didn't listen when she told you to stop. Doesn't feel so good, does it, Jake?"

Hawk gave him a hard shove, sending Jake stumbling back until he almost lost his balance. For a brief second, Jake's fists clenched as if considering retaliating, but the fury blazing in Hawk's eyes froze him in place. He threw Harper a final, venomous glare before turning on his heel and storming down the hallway.

"You okay?" He asked.

Harper tightened her fists, willing them to stop trembling Her head pounded so fiercely that it seemed to drown out the sound in the hallway. When she finally turned to face Hawk, her eyes burned with a mix of anger, fear grease still flickering at the edges. She knew she should be grateful that he'd stepped in, but instead, all frustration bubbled within her, all of it directed straight at Hawk.

"I'm fine. But you didn't have to hit him," Harper blurted out, more defensively than she intended.

Hawk raised an eyebrow, still watching where Jake had disappeared. "Yeah, I kinda did," he replied, turning back to her, a hint of incredulity in his voice. "What were you thinking, lying to that teacher?"

"I was thinking that I had it handled," Harper snapped, her voice sharper than she'd planned. She pushed herself away from the lockers, putting some space between them. She hated the way the pressure built inside her, making her feel like she was losing control, like she couldn't manage her own problems.

Frustration flashed in his eyes as he shook his head. "Handled it?" he repeated, disbelief dripping from his words. "What exactly was your plan here? Out-stare him until he got bored and walked away?"

"I was working on it."

Hawk snorted, crossing his arms. "Oh, really? So, the whole 'let him pin you to the lockers' part was part of the master plan?"

"Yeah, maybe it was," she snapped back, her voice biting. "But you didn't need to swoop in and play the hero. I'm not helpless."

"I know you're not but what was I supposed to do? He was two seconds away from—"

"From what, Hawk? What was he going to do?" Harper cut him off, crossing her arms tightly, trying to regain some semblance of control. "We're at school, not in some dark alley."

"You're kidding, right?" Hawk's voice rose, matching her frustration. "He had you cornered with his hands all over you! You really think he would've backed off if you asked nicely enough? You really think he wouldn't have tried something after school? I did what I had to because if I hadn't shown up, who knows what he would've done."

Harper clenched her jaw, glaring at him. "But you did show up. So just drop it, okay? I'm fine."

Hawk let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "Yeah, sure. You're 'fine.'"

"I am. I didn't need you stepping in like I'm some helpless girl who can't take care of herself. Because I can—I've been doing it my whole life."

Hawk blinked, clearly taken aback by her response. "Are you seriously mad at me for helping?" His hands clenched at his sides, caught between arguing or walking away. "I just stopped that jerk from doing something worse to you. How can you be angry about that?"

Harper's emotions were a tangled mess—fear, anger, and frustration twisting inside her, leaving her more confused than anything else. The adrenaline still pulsed through her veins, but it was fading, replaced by an emotion she refused to name, something she didn't want to feel. Because she was barely holding on as it was. Hawk's look of confusion and concern made her feel like a child throwing a tantrum. She hated it—hated herself for lashing out at him when all he'd done was try to help.

The anger and defiance still clung to her, refusing to let go. Harper opened her mouth, ready to snap at him, to push him away, but no words came out. She knew she wasn't really mad at Hawk; it was just easier to lash out than admit how she truly felt. The truth was too raw, too close to the surface, and she wasn't ready to let it show. The last thing she wanted was to reveal her vulnerability, to let anyone see that something had actually broken her.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she ran a hand through her hair, frowning at the sight of her still-trembling fingers. She wasn't over what had happened; the fight inside her was ebbing away, replaced by an overwhelming exhaustion. She hated the feeling, hated how exposed and vulnerable it made her. Her brave facade was crumbling, but instead of admitting it, she pushed it down, swallowing the feelings she didn't want to face.

She struggled to find her words, afraid that speaking would reveal just how close she was to breaking. But she had to say something, anything, so she mustered up the last of her strength.

"I'm not mad," she said, her voice barely holding its usual fire. "I just… I'm going to class," she mumbled, desperate to put this encounter behind her, even though the weight in her chest made it clear it wouldn't be that easy.

Not wanting him to see the cracks in her facade, she turned her back on him, putting distance between them. As if that distance could somehow make everything better. Easier.

"Harper."

The way he said her name made her freeze mid-step. It was so different from the usual nickname he used, and the concern in his voice felt like a blow to her carefully constructed walls. She exhaled shakily, desperately trying to hold her defenses in place, but they were already starting to crumble.

"I'm fine," Harper insisted, wincing at the crack in her voice as she turned to face him. The words felt empty, and his expression told her he didn't buy it for a second.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that, foster. Maybe one day you'll believe it."

"I'm just… done with everything," Harper whispered, her voice barely audible.

Hawk didn't push. He stepped closer and gently took her arm, guiding her toward an empty classroom down the hall. She resisted, not wanting her resolve to shatter and reveal how much she was hurting. How damaged she truly was. "I don't–" she started, but his quiet persistence overcame her objections. Once inside the dimly lit classroom, he shut the door behind them, and the silence settled around them, stark and heavy compared to the lively noise of the hallway.

Harper hovered by the door, arms crossed tightly over her chest, as if holding herself together by sheer will. She wanted to stay strong, but the weight of everything was pressing down, suffocating. The walls of the small room seemed to close in, challenging the fragile composure she clung to like a lifeline.

Her eyes darted around the room, her vision blurring with unshed tears. She was terrified of crying, not just because it would make her seem weak, but because she feared that once the tears started, they might never stop.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, stepping further into the room and leaning against a desk. Her fingers fidgeted with the clutter scattered across its surface, her gaze never lifting to meet his. "I'm not really mad at you. I shouldn't have… I didn't mean to yell."

"It's fine," Hawk replied, waving her apology off. "Just… talk to me, okay? You're starting to freak me out, and I know this isn't just about Jake."

Harper took a shuddering breath, the first tear slipping down her cheek. "It's just everything," she murmured, her voice trembling as her shoulders slumped. "My dad suddenly wanting me back, Kyler and his stupid rumors and now Jake. It's like the whole freaking universe is against me and no matter what I do, I can't catch a break."

Saying the words aloud struck her with just how messed up everything was. How her world felt like it was falling apart around her and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

"I didn't sleep with him," Harper blurted out, her voice edged with desperation as she looked at Hawk. "I know everyone's saying that I did but I didn't."

"I know you didn't," Hawk replied softly. "I'd never believe those stupid rumors."

Harper nodded, her relief short lived as the weight of her problems crushed back down around her. The overwhelming sense of being trapped in her life felt suffocating. She tried to blink back tears but couldn't keep them from escaping. "I'm trying so hard to stay strong but I don't know how much more I can take."

"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, foster," Hawk said, his voice gentle but filled with a quiet intensity, like he needed her to believe it as much as he did.

Harper shook her head, feeling the bitter irony twist in her chest. A laugh, sharp and edged with pain, escaped her lips despite the tears. "I don't feel strong. I'm barely hanging on," she confessed, her voice raw with honesty.

"But you are," Hawk insisted, his voice soft but unyielding, like he was trying to anchor her to the reality he saw in her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. "You've been through hell and you're still standing. I saw you with Jake. You were scared, yeah, but you didn't back down. You kept fighting, even when you wanted to run. That's what strength looks like."

"But I didn't want to," she admitted, her voice small, almost lost in the space between them as she wiped at her tears with the back of her hand, a gesture both defiant and desperate. "I just wanted to give up and let whatever happen, happen. I'm just so tired of fighting all the time. What if I just want to sit down and let it all fall apart? What if I can't keep going anymore?"

Without saying a word, Hawk gently pulled her into a hug. The warmth of his embrace wrapped around her like a protective shield. She leaned into him, her head resting against his chest as she let out a shaky breath.

"Then let it fall apart," he murmured softly into her hair. "It's okay."

Harper pulled back slightly, uncertainty clouding her eyes. "But what if I can't put it all back together? What if I'm too broken?"

He held her tighter, his frustration evident in his sigh. He brushed his fingers through her hair, his touch gentle. "You're not broken. You're just dealing with a lot. But you don't have to be strong all the time. You don't have to go through it alone. I'm here, you know."

Harper nodded, the uncertainty in her eyes softening just a bit.

"If you need a break, we can skip the last two classes. Just get out of here for a while, away from all this."

Harper shook her head, a flicker of determination returning to her eyes. "If I skip, then they win. I can't let Jake and Kyler think they got to me."

He looked down at her with a proud smile. "See? You're stronger than you think. It's not about not getting knocked down; it's about getting back up every single time."

"Yeah, I guess," she said, still feeling the weight of exhaustion but finding some comfort in his words.

"You've got this," Hawk said, giving her a gentle squeeze before letting her go. "And no matter what, I've got your back. Just promise to talk to me, okay?"

"I promise," Harper replied, a small smile breaking through as she wiped away the last of her tears. "And… thanks."

"Anytime, foster."

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Thanks for reading! This chapter was definitely intense, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts. I literally feel so bad for Harper and all that she's going through. But it needed to be done... for the drama of it all.