Elena

Chapter 8: A War on All Sides

(Elena's POV )

I knew today was going to be bad.

But I didn't expect it to be this bad.

The moment I stepped onto campus, I felt it.

The shift.

The stares.

The way people turned their heads to watch me, whispering behind their hands, snickering like I was some kind of joke.

I kept my head up, gripping the straps of my backpack.

I could handle this.

I had to.

But then—

"Look who it is. The girl who thinks she's special."

I barely had time to process before a sharp shoulder slammed into mine, nearly making me stumble.

I looked up to see Vanessa DeLuca, arms crossed, her usual group of clones behind her.

Her perfect lips curled into a smirk. "How does it feel, Monroe? Being the school's newest laughingstock?"

I clenched my jaw. "Get out of my way, Vanessa."

Her eyes glinted. "Oh, you're feisty now? Cute. But let's be real—you're just a little charity case who got lucky. You actually think you matter here?"

I forced myself to stay calm. "I don't have time for this."

I stepped around her—

But before I could move two steps, someone grabbed my wrist.

I froze.

Vanessa's nails dug into my skin as she yanked me back.

"You don't get to walk away," she hissed. "You humiliated Xavier. You think you're untouchable? That the rest of us will just let you walk around like you belong here?"

I ripped my arm away. "I don't need to 'belong' to a bunch of spoiled brats."

Gasps echoed around us.

Vanessa's eyes darkened. "You little—"

"That's enough."

A new voice cut through the tension.

I turned—and froze.

A boy stepped between us.

Tall. Lean. Golden brown hair styled effortlessly, piercing blue eyes that held an amused glint.

He was popular. I knew that much. One of Xavier's friends.

Grayson Westwood.

A name I had only heard in passing, but his presence was impossible to ignore.

He was different from Xavier. While Xavier was all sharp edges and arrogance, Grayson had a lazy, easy-going charm. But there was something dangerous about him too—like he was always a second away from either flirting with you or ruining your life.

And now?

He was standing up for me.

Vanessa narrowed her eyes. "Grayson, what are you doing?"

He tilted his head, smirking. "Stopping you from embarrassing yourself, obviously."

Vanessa scoffed. "She deserves this."

Grayson let out a short laugh. "And who made you the judge, princess?"

She glared. "You're seriously taking her side?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm taking the side of not being a total bitch."

A few students choked back laughs.

Vanessa's face flushed with rage. "You're unbelievable."

Grayson turned to me, a lazy grin on his lips. "You good, Monroe?"

I blinked. Monroe? He knew my name?

"I—uh—yeah."

His smirk deepened. "Cool. Let's go."

He started walking, completely unbothered.

I hesitated for half a second before following.

Behind me, I heard Vanessa curse under her breath.

Walking with him..the friend of my enemy..?

I have more questions in my mind.. Why did he even do that..

I kept my pace beside Grayson, too confused to say anything.

Finally, I spoke. "Why did you do that?"

He glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "What? Save you?"

I frowned. "I didn't need saving."

He laughed. "Sure, sweetheart. You totally had that under control."

I crossed my arms. "Don't call me that."

His smirk widened. "Why? You let Xavier call you that all the time."

My stomach twisted. "That's different."

"Yeah?" He tilted his head. "How?"

I didn't answer.

Because I didn't know.

Grayson studied me for a moment before shrugging. "Whatever. Look, I'm not in the mood to watch Vanessa tear someone apart today. Consider it a favor."

I narrowed my eyes. "And why would you do me a favor?"

His grin turned wicked. "Maybe I just like pissing off Xavier."

I stopped walking.

He turned back, raising an eyebrow.

"You're his friend," I said slowly.

Grayson smirked. "And?"

I crossed my arms. "So why help me?"

He held my gaze for a second before leaning in slightly, voice dropping. "Because you're the most interesting thing that's happened in this school in years."

My breath hitched.

But before I could respond, he winked. "See you around, Monroe."

And just like that, he walked off—leaving me standing there, heart racing, brain completely scrambled.

What the hell just happened?

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