Elena

Chapter 13: Another Day in Hell

(Elena's POV )

I didn't want to go to school.

Not after yesterday.

Not after everything.

But staying home wasn't an option.

So I forced myself out of bed, threw on my usual sweater and jeans, and grabbed my backpack, pretending like today would be different.

It wouldn't be.

I knew that the second I walked through the gates of Ridgewood Academy.

Because the stares were already waiting for me.

The whispers.

The mocking smiles.

Like everyone already knew Vanessa had something planned.

Like everyone was waiting for me to break.

—

The Cafeteria – The Trap Was Already Set

I barely made it through first period without losing my mind.

I just needed to get through lunch.

So I grabbed my tray, walking straight to my usual seat near the back—

Only to stop cold.

Because someone was already sitting there.

No—a group.

Vanessa.

Ava.

Their entire squad.

Waiting.

Smirking.

Like they had been expecting me.

I clenched my jaw, turning to leave—

But before I could take two steps, Vanessa's voice rang out.

"Elena!"

I froze.

Slowly, I turned around.

She smiled sweetly, patting the empty seat next to her. "Why don't you sit with us today?"

I didn't move.

I wasn't an idiot.

I knew exactly what she was doing.

But the cafeteria was already watching.

Waiting.

If I walked away, they'd chase me down anyway.

So I lifted my chin, forced my expression blank, and walked straight to her table.

—

The Game Begins

The second I sat down, Vanessa's smile widened.

"So," she mused, tapping her manicured nails against the table, "I've been meaning to ask you something."

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

She pouted. "What's it like?"

I frowned. "What's what like?"

She tilted her head. "Being poor."

Laughter exploded around the table.

Heat rushed to my face.

I should've walked away.

I should've ignored her.

But instead, I said, "I don't know, Vanessa. What's it like being a bitch?"

The entire table gasped.

Ava choked on her drink.

Vanessa's smile didn't drop.

But her eyes darkened.

"Oh, sweetheart," she cooed. "You really shouldn't talk back. I'm trying to be nice."

I scoffed. "Right. This is you being nice."

She nodded. "Mhm." Then she leaned in, voice dropping. "You don't want to see me mean."

I clenched my fists.

Then, before I could react, she grabbed my tray—

And dumped my entire drink into my lap.

Gasps. Laughter. Phones snapping pictures.

I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the cold soda soak into my jeans.

I pushed my chair back, standing up so fast my legs shook.

Vanessa just smirked up at me.

"Aww, don't look so upset," she teased. "It's just a little spill. I'm sure you're used to being covered in filth."

More laughter.

Tears burned the back of my eyes.

I should've known Vanessa wouldn't stop.

But I wasn't prepared for this.

For the eyes watching.

For the laughter ringing in my ears.

For the sticky, cold soda dripping down my legs.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay upright.

I wouldn't break.

Not here.

Not in front of her.

But then—

"Where are you going, Elena?"

I stiffened.

Because that voice—deep, calm, and laced with something unreadable—

Wasn't Vanessa's.

I turned, pulse pounding.

And there he was.

Grayson.

Standing at the entrance of the cafeteria, his blue eyes locked onto me, sharp and unreadable.

And from the way his jaw clenched, from the way his gaze flicked between me and Vanessa—

He had seen everything.

—

The Moment Everything Got Worse

The cafeteria went dead silent.

Everyone's attention snapped to Grayson, as if they couldn't believe he was stepping into this.

Vanessa's smirk faltered for a second.

Then, she tilted her head, voice dripping with fake innocence. "Oh, relax, Grayson. It was just an accident."

I clenched my fists. "Like hell it was."

Her eyes snapped back to me. "Watch your mouth, Monroe."

"I would," I shot back. "If you ever shut yours."

A few gasps.

A few muffled laughs.

Vanessa's jaw tightened. "You're getting too bold for your own good."

Grayson let out a slow chuckle, stepping forward. "I'd say she's handling herself just fine."

Vanessa turned to him, her smirk returning. "You defending her again?"

Grayson didn't blink. "Seems like she needs it."

A dangerous silence fell over the room.

Vanessa's eyes darkened. "Careful, Westwood. People might start thinking you have a thing for trash."

The moment the words left her mouth, the table rattled.

Because Grayson had slammed his hands down onto it.

The entire cafeteria jumped.

His jaw was clenched tight, his blue eyes flashing with something deadly.

"I'd watch what you say next, Vanessa," he said lowly. "You might regret it."

Ava grabbed Vanessa's arm. "Come on, let's go."

Vanessa didn't move.

She held Grayson's gaze for a long, tense moment.

Then, finally, she scoffed, flipping her hair. "Whatever."

She stood up, tossing her drink onto the table like she was done with the conversation.

Before she walked away, she turned to me one last time.

"You're nothing, Elena," she said smoothly. "And no matter how hard you fight, you never will be."

Then she was gone.

And just like that—the show was over.

People started turning away, bored now that the entertainment had ended.

But I stood there, frozen.

Because even though Vanessa was gone—

The damage was already done.

—

I Had to Get Out of Here

I barely heard Grayson's voice.

"Elena, wait—"

I didn't stop.

Didn't answer.

Didn't even look at him.

Because if I did—I'd lose it.

So I turned on my heel and ran.

Out of the cafeteria.

Down the halls.

I just needed to get away.

The pressure in my chest was too much.

I needed air.

I needed space.

I needed—

Crash.

I slammed into something solid.

The impact was so hard, I stumbled backward.

Strong hands grabbed my arms, steadying me before I could fall.

And when I looked up—

My breath caught in my throat.

Because standing in front of me, hands still gripping me, expression unreadable—

Was Xavier.

—

The world stopped.

I was still shaking.

Still humiliated.

And now—

I was trapped.

Because Xavier Knight was right here.

Looking down at me, his green eyes flashing with something I couldn't place.

I felt my breath hitch.

Because I knew what was about to happen.

He was going to make it worse.

I braced myself.

For the smirk.

For the teasing remark.

For the final blow to whatever was left of my pride.

But it never came.

Instead—

He just stood there.

Silent.

Watching me.

And that was worse.

Because I couldn't hold it in anymore.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

I sucked in a sharp breath, quickly turning my head away. "I—just—"

I tried to move.

Tried to push past him.

But his grip tightened.

And when I finally looked up again—

His smirk was gone.

Something in his eyes shifted.

Like he didn't know what the hell he was supposed to do next.

Like he wasn't expecting me to break.

But I didn't care.

I ripped myself out of his grip and kept running.

Because I couldn't do this.

Not now.

Not with him.

Not with the one person who had already hurt me the most.

—