8

J.D HIGH

Cami was hurrying across the school grounds when Leigh stepped in front of her.

"Cami? Are you okay?"

Cami quickly wiped her eyes and forced a bright smile.

"Of course! Why?"

"I saw how those girls treated you yesterday…"

Before Cami could answer, a sleek black car pulled up. Students swarmed as Clover stepped out.

"Oh no," Cami mumbled.

"Cami!" His deep voice sent shivers down her spine.

Not again.

He reached her, grabbed her hand, and started walking.

"Good morning," she said quietly.

He didn't respond.

At his locker, he slammed it open and turned to her.

"Did you ignore my rules?" he growled.

"What rules?"

"The boy in your flat. You know what I said."

"Yes! Yes, we didn't even talk. It's like he doesn't exist," she said quickly.

He studied her. Then, "Come with me."

They walked, students staring. Cami pressed herself closer to him.

"Too many eyes," she mumbled.

"Perks of dating the most wanted guy in school," he smirked.

Behind them, Genesis and her clique stared in disbelief.

"Is this real life?!" Genesis shrieked.

"He dumped me for her?!" Cat gasped.

"That witch must've cursed him," Maggie hissed.

Genesis pulled out a stolen locker key.

"Time for revenge."

They broke into Cami's locker, tearing her notes, stealing her cash, destroying everything they could touch.

SENIOR LAB

Clover pushed Cami onto his desk. Her heart raced.

"Clover—stop!" she said, panicking as he leaned in.

"One day of dating and I can't kiss you?"

"I'm not ready," she breathed.

He cupped her cheek. "It's just a kiss."

"No—stop—mmph!"

The doorknob turned.

"Let her go!" Leigh shouted, bursting in and yanking Cami away.

"Touch her again and I'll go straight to the principal!"

Clover raised an eyebrow, calm. "Cami? You with her?"

Cami froze... then stepped away from Leigh.

"I'm sorry. He's my boyfriend," she whispered, wrapping her arm around Clover.

Clover grinned and kissed her forehead, smirking at Leigh's heartbreak.

UNKNOWN LOCATION

Lexi stepped into the underground brothel, her pistol hidden beneath a coat. She looked younger, smoother, almost unrecognizable.

A voice echoed behind her.

"How's the girl?"

Lexi didn't turn. "If you want to talk to me, show your face."

"Not ready for your assignment then."

She whirled around, gun drawn—then froze.

"You?! You work here too?"

The woman behind the mask simply smiled.

ROOFTOP – NIGHT

Cami climbed the stairs to the rooftop, arms full of books—and froze.

Jordan was already there.

"Cami?" he called, not turning.

She blushed, adjusting her bunny-headband.

"Hey," she said, sitting beside him.

"So you've found my favorite spot."

"Correction: I found it first."

They laughed.

Jordan peeked at her books. "Assignment?"

She shrugged. "Maybe."

"I start at J.D High tomorrow."

"Seriously? That place is hell."

"Exactly why I want in."He looked at her carefully. "Your mom… she's tough. Are you okay?"

"I'm surviving," she chuckled, resting her head on his shoulder.

He stroked her hair, and she fell asleep like that, peaceful at last.

For the first time in days, her illness stayed quiet.

But neither of them noticed the shadow sneaking up behind them.

CHAPTER 11 & 12

★☆★☆★☆

★ A SAVORED SLAP ★

The figure stepped closer, each tap of her boots echoing across the rooftop.

Cami's nose twitched—

That scent.

Unmistakable.

She shot to her feet, startling Jordan beside her.

"Mom?" Her voice cracked. Panic gripped her chest.

Lexi stood in her signature all-black outfit, her presence sharp and cold.

"What are you doing on the rooftop this late?" she asked, face unreadable.

"I—I came to read," Cami stammered, gesturing at her books scattered on the floor.

Lexi folded her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Read? Or rest your head on a boy's shoulder?"

Cami dropped her gaze, her silence an admission.

Lexi's hand shot up.

"Answer me!" she snapped—and the slap landed with a sting that made Cami see stars.

"I'm sorry!" Cami cried, cradling her cheek.

Lexi's fury only grew. "Is this how I raised you? What are you now—a slut?!"

Cami trembled, lips sealed in shame.

Jordan clenched his fists, his body tensed, barely containing himself.

"Am I talking to a deaf girl now?!" Lexi barked.

She raised her hand again—

But this time, Jordan caught her wrist mid-air.

"She's done nothing wrong," he said through gritted teeth. "You can't keep hitting her like this."

Lexi's eyes widened in shock.

She jerked her hand free, threw a final glare at Cami, then stormed off without another word.

Cami turned on Jordan, tears flooding her face.

"What did you do?! I didn't ask for your help! She'll punish me worse now!"

"Cami, I just—"

"I'm in so much trouble now... because of you!" she cried, grabbing her books.

"Thanks for protecting me," she added bitterly. "But don't follow me."

She stormed off.

Jordan stood alone, hands shaking, breath heavy.

His eyes fell to the notebook on the ground.

"She forgot this..."

He picked it up and sat back down, flipping it open.

"Guess I'll finish it for her."