Chapter 2

Everyone at school knew Osric was in a bad mood when he woke up. If one messed with him right after he woke up, one was basically asking for trouble.

But instead, he stared at me for a few seconds. His eyes were so deep and unreadable, like they could swallow me whole.

Then, while I was still on edge, he slumped back down, turned his face toward me, and mumbled, "Quiet."

With that, he went still again, his breathing slow and steady.

It was like the whole classroom drama that went down was nothing more than a mosquito buzzing in his ear, just background noise to him.

And me, right at the center of the storm, was some stranger who happened to sit next to him, with that odd scent lingering around me.

That ninety-minute class felt like an eternity.

The professor's voice echoed from somewhere up front, every word hitting me like a verdict. I didn't absorb a single thing. I sat there, frozen, feeling those almost invisible stares prickling at my back.

When the bell for the end of class finally rang out, it felt like being set free.

I didn't even hesitate. I jumped up, wanting to get out of there as fast as possible.

"Vaela." Malachi's voice came from behind me, firm and commanding, the kind that expected to be obeyed.

I stopped in my tracks, but I didn't turn around.

Malachi quickly caught up and stepped in front of me. Selene followed close behind, head down, looking like she'd been caught doing something wrong.

"Vaela, I'm sorry." Selene was the first to speak, her voice barely a whisper, eyes red and watery. "I didn't realize you cared so much about that perfume brand. I really am allergic to that kind of scent. I never meant to embarrass you."

It sounded like an apology, but every word just pinned the blame on me even harder.

I curled my lips into a faint smirk, letting out a barely audible, sarcastic laugh.

Malachi's brows furrowed instantly. "Vaela, Selene apologized to you. What's with the attitude? You shouldn't have gone overboard with that scent in public. Apologize to her now."

I finally looked him straight in the eye.

"Malachi, we've known each other for eighteen years," I said quietly, my words cutting like ice. "Don't you know I never wear perfume?"

Malachi's expression froze for a moment.

He knew it deep down.

If anyone understood, it was him.

But when Malachi glanced at Selene, who looked like she was on the verge of tears, any hesitation in his eyes disappeared instantly. His impatience only grew stronger.

He said, "Is there any point in talking about this now? Do you seriously think everything's about you? Selene's not feeling well, and you made her suffer. That's a fact. Can't you grow up for once?"

He wanted me to grow up?

So that was what growing up meant—standing there, letting everyone throw dirt on me, watching the person I trusted most turn on me, and still having to smile and pretend it was all fine.

A sour ache burned in my throat, and my eyes went blurry.

I took a deep breath, fighting to push the tears back down.

"I didn't wear any perfume," I said, keeping my voice steady. "It's how I naturally smell. Selene, if you're really allergic to it, maybe you should see a doctor and figure out what's actually bothering you.

"The air's got more than just jasmine floating around, you know."

My words wiped the color right off Selene's face.

Malachi finally lost it, his anger boiling over.

"Vaela, are you out of your mind?" He grabbed my wrist, squeezing so hard that it felt like he might crush my bones. "Go apologize to Selene right now. Or else..."

"Or what?" An icy, mocking voice interrupted from nearby.

Osric had somehow appeared behind me, his bag slung over one shoulder, the other hand shoved in his pocket. He looked down at Malachi like he was watching some pathetic clown.

"Let go," Osric said, jerking his chin toward Malachi's hand gripping mine. His tone was flat, but there was an undeniable pressure behind it.

Malachi clearly hadn't expected Osric to butt in. He froze for a moment, then his anger flared. "Osric, this is between her and me. It's none of your business."

"It is now," Osric replied, expressionless. He reached out and, with just two fingers, gripped Malachi's wrist like it was nothing.

I watched Malachi's expression twist in shock.

Malachi tried to break free, but Osric's grip was like an iron clamp. Malachi couldn't move at all.

Malachi let out a pained yelp, having no choice but to release me.

Osric let go of him and, with an effortless motion, pulled me behind him, so quickly that it barely registered.

He glanced down at my wrist, red from Malachi's grip, his brows furrowing. "Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head, still reeling from shock, barely able to process what just happened.

Malachi grabbed his wrist, glaring at Osric with a wild mix of outrage and disbelief. "You son of a—"

"Get lost," Osric said.

His words were so fierce and menacing that everyone watching instinctively stepped back.

Malachi's face went dark red with rage. He glared at Osric, then at me, and finally stomped his foot furiously. Dragging the still-stunned Selene behind him, he forced his way out of the crowd.

Peace finally returned to the world.

I looked at Osric, opened my mouth, but couldn't find the words. "Tha—"

"Trouble," Osric said flatly, brushing past me and heading out of the classroom.

He walked with a careless swagger, but his back was ramrod straight, like a lone tree standing tall against the world.

I stayed where I was, watching him vanish at the end of the hallway, my heart swirling with mixed emotions.