Chapter 20 - Escalating Tensions
"Is she new?"
"Nice entrance, Cinderella. Where's Prince Charming?"
I felt my hair stand up on the back of my neck. Great start to senior year—drawing eyes like a circus act instead of blending into the background where I thrived. I gritted my teeth, focused on getting through the crowd, and prayed for invisibility.
I was almost in the clear when I slammed right into him.
Luca Diaz.
The air seemed to shift around him, thick with energy. Students parted like the Red Sea as he walked, his confidence magnetic, his presence dangerous. Dark hair framed sharp features, and those piercing eyes—cold, predatory—locked onto me. The hallway noise faded into white static.
"Watch where you're going, Wayne," he said, voice low and edged with irritation.
His sneer hit me like a cold water. I hadn't forgotten our last encounter at the lake party when my fist met his face. That memory still burned fresh.
"I—uh—sorry," I stammered, attempting to sidestep him.
He didn't budge. His gaze flickered down to my boot, then back up, lips curling in disgust.
"What happened? Trip over your own ego?"
Each word cut deeper than I cared to admit. My jaw clenched as embarrassment tangled with anger.
Before I could respond, he leaned in closer, his breath brushing my ear. "Better stay out of my way. Last thing this school needs is a cripple slowing everyone down including me."
The hallway tilted for a second. My pulse hammered in my ears, but I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. No way was I giving him the satisfaction of a reaction. Turning sharply, I limped away, feeling his eyes burn into my back.
The rest of the day was a slow-motion train wreck. Of all the bad luck, I landed in the same math class as Luca. He strolled in late, every head turning as if he were some VIP. Girls whispered and swooned as he passed by, practically drooling.
I ducked my head, hoping he wouldn't notice me in the back row.
No such luck.
"Nice seat, Wayne," he said, voice dripping with smug amusement. "Mind if I ruin it for you?"
I bit the inside of my cheek, ignoring him. But he was relentless. He kicked the back of my chair, knocked my pencil off the desk, and whispered insults just loud enough for me to hear. By the time the bell rang, my nerves were frayed.
I spun around, ready to confront him, but he was already gone—like nothing had even happened.
Lunch was a brief reprieve. Kimmy and Nick waved me over, their smiles a welcome distraction. Kimmy's energy was contagious, and Nick was calm and steady, the perfect balance to her vibrance.
"So, how's your first day?" Kimmy asked, popping a chip into her mouth.
I hesitated, scanning the cafeteria as if Luca might materialize out of thin air. "It's... something," I said with a nervous laugh. "Didn't expect to have a personal bully on day one."
Nick's brow furrowed. "Luca?"
I nodded, sighing. "Yeah. What's his deal? I barely know the guy, but it feels like he's on a mission to make me miserable."
Kimmy and Nick exchanged a glance. Kimmy leaned in, lowering her voice. "Luca's... complicated. He's not usually like this, but—"
"But what?" I pressed.
Nick shrugged. "He's been different lately. Moody, unpredictable. Especially since... well, there's just a lot of pressure on him."
"Pressure to what? Be a jerk?" The bitterness in my voice surprised even me.
Kimmy chuckled. "Yeah, he's definitely leaning into that persona. But trust me, there's more to him than you think."
"I'm not sure I want to know," I muttered, stabbing my salad.
Nick leaned back in his chair. "You did punch him at that party. Maybe he's holding a grudge."
I blinked. "Over one punch? Seriously?"
Kimmy laughed. "Boys can be petty. And Luca? He's not used to people standing up to him."
But the peace didn't last long. As I made my way through the cafeteria later, tray in hand in order to put the leftover food away for later, Luca struck again.
I barely registered the foot darting out in front of me until it was too late. My ankle caught, and I stumbled, barely catching myself. My tray wasn't as lucky. Food splattered across the floor, drawing everyone's attention.
Luca's smug grin appeared through the blur of embarrassment as he sat down at his table.
"Oops. Didn't see you there, Wayne."
That was it. My anger boiled over. Without thinking, I grabbed my juice from the floor and dumped it over his head.
The cafeteria exploded with laughter and gasps. Luca sat there, drenched, his face a mix of shock and rage.
Before I could process what I'd done, he stood up, swift and furious. In one smooth motion, he grabbed me by the waist and hoisted me over his shoulder.
"Put me down!" I shrieked, pounding my fists against his back.
His friends rushed to block the doors, keeping anyone from following as he stormed through the halls. My heart raced, a mix of fear and adrenaline coursing through me.
Luca didn't stop until we reached a small janitor's closet. He shoved the door open and dumped me inside before slamming it shut behind us.
The space was claustrophobic, the air thick with tension.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he growled, eyes wild. "You think you can just humiliate me like that?"
My pulse thundered in my ears, but I wasn't backing down. "Maybe if you weren't such a jerk, I wouldn't have to."
We stood inches apart, breaths harsh, the air between us electric. His eyes flickered with something dark and dangerous, making my stomach twist in ways I didn't want to acknowledge but suddenly his face softened.
For a moment, the anger between us shifted into something else—something neither of us understood.
But the moment passed as quickly as it came. Luca's expression hardened again, and he stepped back.
"This isn't over," he warned before storming out, leaving me breathless and confused.
What the hell just happened?