[LUCAS – POV]
The next morning at school, Jasmine looked… off. She barely spoke during first period and kept glancing around like someone was watching her.
When I caught up to her at her locker, she didn't even greet me.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She held out a piece of paper—folded, creased, and slightly crumpled.
I opened it.
"He'll break you again. And this time, I won't help."
— A Friend
No name. No handwriting I recognized. Just that single message, dark ink scratched deep into the paper.
"Who gave you this?" I asked.
"It was in my locker when I opened it," Jasmine said quietly. "No one saw who put it there."
I crumpled the note in my fist. "This has Ayo written all over it."
She shook her head. "Maybe. Or maybe someone else is playing games."
I stepped closer, dropping my voice. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Jasmine. Not even Ayo."
She looked up at me, eyes searching mine. "That's the thing, Lucas. I'm not afraid of getting hurt. I'm afraid I'll ruin everything by pushing you away."
I softened. "Then don't push me away."
We stood there, quiet, the warning echoing in the air between us. Jasmine was right—this wasn't just about Ayo.
Someone was watching.
And they wanted to tear us apart.