Chapter 34.1: A Line That Should Never Be

Chapter 34: A Line That Should Never Be

Crossed (Part 1 – The Breaking Point)

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The Second Glass of Beer

The bitterness burns down my throat, but I barely taste it anymore.

Second glass.

The room is buzzing—neon lights flickering, music blasting from the half-broken speakers, laughter spilling from every corner.

Jason and his crew? They're at the center of it all, like they always are.

And the girls they brought?

Hoes.

The kind that cling to power, to status, to the biggest wolves in the pack.

One girl, blonde, thick layers of makeup caked onto her face, presses herself against Jason's side, running her nails along his arm.

"Jay~ you're such an ass," she purrs, giggling when he smirks at her.

Jason tilts his head, looking bored. "Yeah? And you love it."

She giggles again, whispering something in his ear. He lets out a short laugh, his eyes flicking toward me—just for a second.

Like he's reminding me where I stand.

Like he's making sure I know.

Luke has two girls in his lap, whispering in his ear.

Brandon's busy with one who's practically grinding against him, her lipstick smeared already.

Ryan watches it all unfold, sipping his drink, that lazy smirk never leaving his face.

And me?

I just sit back and watch.

Watch them drink. Watch them brag. Watch them act like they own everything.

This was never about "starting over."

It was about control.

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The Atmosphere of the Karaoke Bar

The private karaoke room is expensive—Jason made sure to brag about that. Plush leather seats, dim blue lights, a massive flat-screen displaying meaningless song lyrics no one is paying attention to.

The girls drape themselves over Jason and his friends, giggling at jokes that aren't funny, their fingers tracing patterns along their arms, necks, chests.

They whisper in their ears. They bite their lips. They play with their hair.

Every touch is calculated. Every smile is a transaction.

They know exactly what they're doing.

Jason loves it.

Luke and Brandon eat it up, hands wandering, eyes dark with something disgusting.

Me?

I sit at the edge, beer in hand, silent.

The Girls "You're not drinking fast enough," a girl—Alicia, I think—leans toward Jason, her lips brushing his ear.

He grins, gripping her waist tighter. "You trying to get me wasted?"

She giggles, her fingers trailing down his chest. "Maybe."

Another girl—Sophia—laughs as she wraps her arms around Brandon from behind, pressing her body against him. "I think you guys should drink more~ It's no fun if you're all sober."

Luke, already tipsy, raises his glass. "That's what I'm talking about!"

They cheer, downing their drinks like it's a competition.

I take another sip, slower this time.

My stomach churns.

They're just like them.

The girls, the guys—there's no difference.

Different weapons, same game.

---

The Conversation That Changes Everything

Jason leans back, swirling his drink.

"Hey, Derrick," he says, too casual.

I don't respond.

Brandon smirks. "Think he's drunk yet?"

Luke chuckles. "Nah, he's just boring."

Jason ignores them, watching me like a predator sizing up prey.

"You don't talk much, do you?"

I don't give him the satisfaction of answering.

Jason clicks his tongue, turning his glass in his hands. "You know, I was thinking… your little sister—what's her name again?"

The world stops.

My grip tightens around my glass.

Jason notices. He grins.

"She's in middle school, right?" he muses. "Gonna be real pretty when she grows up."

A chuckle.

Luke leans in, grinning. "Yeah, man. She's at that age, huh? Starting to look real nice."

Brandon nods. "Bet she'll turn heads soon. Maybe she already does."

The girls giggle, entertained by something they don't even understand.

Jason watches me, waiting for a reaction.

And he gets one.

---

The First Punch

The glass in my hand shatters.

Before Jason can blink—

My fist collides with his jaw.

A sickening crack echoes through the room.

He crashes into the table, knocking over bottles, sending drinks flying.

The bar falls silent.

Then—

Screaming.

The girls scramble away, heels clicking against the floor as they bolt for the exit.

Luke moves first.

I see him coming—duck—slam my elbow into his ribs.

Brandon grabs me from behind.

I throw my head back—smash it into his nose.

Ryan swings—his knuckles glance off my jaw. I twist, grab him by the collar, and drive my knee into his stomach.

He crumples.

Jason groans, pushing himself up, wiping blood from his lip.

His smirk is gone.

Now, there's only rage.

"You little—"

He lunges.

I meet him halfway.

---

The Fight Turns Savage

Fists fly.

Knuckles slam against bone.

There's no thought. No hesitation. Only instinct.

Jason's strong, but I don't care.

His punches land. I barely feel them.

A bottle smashes against my shoulder—Brandon again. I don't even flinch. I grab him by the hair and slam his head into the table.

Luke tackles me. I throw him off, sending him crashing into a chair.

Ryan tries to blindside me—his fist grazes my ribs. I twist, grab his wrist, and snap it back. He howls.

Jason is back on his feet.

His chest rises and falls rapidly, blood dripping down his chin.

"You think this changes anything?" he sneers. "You think you're winning?"

I don't respond.

Because I'm not fighting to win.

I'm fighting to break them.

Jason roars and charges again.

I tighten my grip.

The next hit will decide everything.

And I won't miss.