I couldn't resist.
I leaned down, picked up my book, and brushed my hair back—just enough to see him.
The smile fell right off my face.
He was already staring.
Not at the bus.
Not at anyone else.
Just… me.
Zack noticed.
Of course he did.
He stood up immediately and switched seats, blocking the guy's view like a wall. When he glanced back, his expression wasn't just annoyed—
It was angry.
"Never mind," Cami whispered with a grin. "Looks like your brother disapproves again."
We pulled into school, and I stepped off the bus like it was just another perfect day.
It wasn't.
I walked with Cami until I spotted one of Zack's teachers—crying.
Not quiet crying.
Screaming.
Shouting in pain like something had been ripped out of her.
People started gathering, but I kept walking. I wasn't about to stand there staring like everyone else.
Zack stayed right beside me.
That alone was enough to feel wrong.
"What's wrong, Zack?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said too quickly.
Cami looked like she was enjoying this way too much.
Zack walked me all the way to my first class, something he had never done before. He lingered at the door like he didn't want to leave.
I stepped inside.
And missed what happened next.
Out in the hall, the new guy bumped into Zack on purpose.
Hard.
They locked eyes—both of them tense.
Zack's fist tightened.
Then another guy walked up behind the new one, and something shifted. Zack stepped back, like he suddenly wasn't sure anymore.
A few of his teammates rushed over, talking fast.
"Dude—you heard? They found him this morning. On the field."
Zack froze.
"Who?" He asked, but he already knew.
"Jake."
Silence.
His best friend.
Dead.
Inside class, Zack found Daniel his other Popular friend and told him to sit with me. Daniel nodded, serious, then Zack walked off without another word.
Two new students walked in.
I didn't know what to think at first.
They were… attractive.
Dangerously so.
And there was this weird tension in the air—like they were drawn to me.
One of them started to sit next to me—
Daniel pulled the chair away before he could.
"He's sitting here," Daniel said flatly.
The guy didn't argue. He just smirked and moved behind me, taking the seat next to Cami.
The other one sat in front of me, turned around in his chair, and chewed on a toothpick like he owned the place.
He winked.
I smiled before I could stop myself.
Daniel snapped his fingers at him.
"Look the other way."
"Daniel, be nice," I said, surprised at myself.
Then I heard it.
A low, quiet sound.
A growl.
Coming from Daniel.
The guy just grinned wider. "Relax. I'm turning around." He paused. "Name's Major. I just moved here from Texas. Family drama."
He winked again before turning around.
A second later, a paper landed on my desk from behind.
I'm Zeke.
Daniel snatched it, crumpled it, and tossed it straight into the trash without missing.
The guys laughed.
Daniel didn't.
He looked pissed.
The teacher walked in, and suddenly, the new guys were perfectly behaved.
Too perfectly.
The bell rang.
Daniel wasn't in my next class.
Today just kept getting weirder.
Cami grabbed my hand and dragged me out.
I stopped at the water fountain, needing a second.
That's when I saw them.
More new students.
Not two.
Not four.
A hallway full of them.
All watching me.
Every single one.
"What is happening?" I whispered.
Cami didn't even care. Her eyes were glued to them.
"I don't even see one new girl," I said.
"Which one should I get to ask me to the dance this weekend?" she asked, completely serious.
"I don't know," I said slowly. "But be careful."
In my next class, I sat down and pulled out my books—
Then froze.
Zack sat down next to me.
He wasn't even in this class.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I got the period off for good behavior," he said. "Asked if I could come here."
"Good behavior?" I raised a brow.
He smirked. "Hey, everyone loves me. I'm the football captain, duh."
He nudged my head playfully.
I slapped him.
Then I saw them.
Four more new guys.
All staring at me.
The anger rose fast, sharp and sudden. I stood without thinking, ready to say something—
Then I forced myself to sit back down.
Zack leaned closer.
"So… don't get mad."
That alone meant I was about to get very mad.
"Mom and Dad are coming to get us," he said.
"Why?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
He just turned his head—
Like he was listening for something no one else could hear.