10

★ 𝘽𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙈𝙤𝙢 ★

Clover sat up slowly, food smeared all over his face. He looked ridiculous—and furious. His eyes locked onto Cami, who clung to Jordan like her life depended on it.

His anger boiled.

Suddenly, the cafeteria doors swung open. Genesis and her gang stepped in, their laughter dying as they noticed the awkward silence. Then, they saw it—Jordan, the new boy, holding Cami.

Genesis clutched her chest dramatically.

"Oh—my God!" she gasped, pretending to faint. Her friends caught her just before she hit the floor.

Jordan gently pulled away from Cami. Her lashes fluttered as she looked up at him, teary-eyed.

"You okay?" he asked, cupping her face.

"I... did I hurt someone?"

"No," he said softly. "You only hurt yourself. I know it's hard, but you've got to be careful, alright?"

She nodded faintly and slowly turned toward Clover.

He sat on the bench, burning with rage.

Cami stood before him, guilt written across her face.

"I'm so sorry, Clover. I didn't mean to push you," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.

She grabbed a napkin and tried to wipe the food off his face. He grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"What made you do that?" he growled.

She froze. If he'd really read her diary, he wouldn't be asking that.

"It just happened..." she muttered.

"Tell me the truth."

"You should already know!" she burst, sobbing again.

He scoffed and stood up, storming toward Jordan.

"Hey, blockhead!" Clover spat. "Would a million dollars be enough to make you back off my girlfriend? You're hugging her right in front of me, and I f**king hate it. Stay. Away."

Jordan stayed calm and looked at Cami.

"Cami, do you agree with him?"

Cami turned to Clover.

"Clover, please..."

"I expected a 'no' from you."

"He's just a friend!" she pouted.

"No male friends. Not when you're my girlfriend," he snapped.

Cami swallowed hard, throat dry.

"...Then I choose none!" she snapped and ran off, leaving both guys standing in silence.

Jordan smirked.

"You're threatening her now, Clover. But not for long. Keep playing tough—it won't last." He walked out.

Clover shoved his hands in his pockets, grinning darkly.

"Trying to act like a hero? Fine. Maybe if I treat her better... she'll forget him."

CLASS 11

The bell rang. Mrs. Mackwin, the geography teacher, walked in.

Cami reached for her bag, searching for her notes. Nothing.

"Camelia!" the teacher snapped.

She stood quickly.

"You didn't turn in your notes. Where are they?"

"I—I left them in my locker. I'll get them now—"

"Do you think this is a comedy show? You bring your notes before I enter!"

"I'm sorry. I'll bring them now."

"Sorry to your disfigured mouth! Get your big ass up and go get it!"

The class burst into laughter. Cami flinched but walked out quietly. At her locker, she fumbled for her keys—gone.

"I haven't even touched this locker in two days..." she whispered.

Frustrated, she slammed her fist on the locker.

"Hey, bitch!"

She turned to find Genesis, Cat, and Maggie standing nearby.

"Oh—hi," she said nervously, her knees going weak.

"You looking for this?" Cat dangled her locker keys.

Cami's eyes lit up.

"Thank you! I've been looking everywhere—"

"Nah." Cat pulled the keys back.

"Before we give you this, tell us—who's the new boy?"

"He's just my best friend. We share an apartment, that's all."

"Got his number?" Genesis pressed.

"N—not really. I haven't asked."

"Fine. Then here's the deal," Genesis smirked. "Find out where he hangs out. Get his number. Then you get your key."

"I need my geography notes now!"

"Promise you'll help us."

"I will. I swear."

"Pinky swear?"

Cami raised her pinky with a hesitant smile.

"Cross my heart."

Cat tossed her the key.

She opened her locker—and froze.

Her locker was a war zone. Papers shredded. Her geography notebook torn in half.

"No..." she whispered.

"Aww. Looks like a rat made a nest in there," Genesis mocked.

"This wasn't like this! My keys were in my bag—"

Tears spilled freely. Cat leaned in.

"Don't forget your promise, demon. Or we take the keys back."

They walked off, laughing.

"It's not fair!" Cami cried. "Three whole sessions... all ruined. My grades—gone!"

She sank to the floor, crying hard.

Leigh spotted her and rushed over.

"Cami?! What happened?"

"My locker... my book... everything's gone."

Leigh stared at the mess, jaw clenched.

"Who did this?"

Cami couldn't speak. She just sobbed into Leigh's knee.

"I'll help you rewrite everything, okay? Even if it's long, I'll get my siblings to help too."

"You will?"

"Of course. You're my best friend."

"Maybe I'll do the first session, then you can—"

"I said I'll do all of it. Leave it to me."

Cami gave a sad, grateful smile.

"Thank you."

Leigh wiped her tears and pulled her into a hug.

"Let's go. Taylor's waiting for you in the clinic."

CLINIC

Cami sat on the bed, swinging her legs. Taylor sat across from her, clipboard in hand.

"Did you have an episode today?"

"Yeah. In the cafeteria."

"Did you hurt anyone?"

"Not exactly."

Taylor sighed and leaned closer.