[LUCAS – POV]
The bell rang for third period, but I didn't move. I was too busy watching Jasmine walk away from her locker like she was made of steel.
But I knew better. I saw the tremble in her fingers when she thought no one was looking.
I wasn't letting this slide.
"Yo, Lucas," someone called, "is she your girl or just your—"
I didn't even let him finish. I slammed my locker shut and turned to face him, my jaw tight.
"Say that again. I dare you."
Silence. A beat of awkward tension filled the hallway.
Then he looked away.
Good.
This school needed to understand something—I don't care about the drama, the stares, or the petty rumors. But if anyone disrespected Jasmine, they'd deal with me.
[JASMINE – POV]
I was done pretending it didn't hurt.
The looks. The whispers. The judgment.
I never asked for attention, especially not this kind. All I did was fall for the one guy who didn't care about anyone's rules but his own.
And now I was paying the price.
As I walked toward the back courtyard to get some air, I felt someone grab my hand gently.
Lucas.
His eyes searched mine like he was afraid I'd run.
"I got you," he whispered. "I swear I do."
And I believed him. Not because of the words, but because of the way he looked at me—like I was the only thing that mattered.
He squeezed my hand.
Then he kissed me.
Right there. Where everyone could see.
Let them talk.
Because from now on, we weren't hiding anything.