Chapter 61: Jasmine’s Truth

[JASMINE – POV]

By sunrise, my post was live.

"You think you know me, but all you've seen are rumors.

Yes, I kissed someone. Yes, I moved on. And guess what? I'm allowed to.

I'm not your villain. I'm not your saint. I'm just a girl trying to protect her peace.

So keep watching. Keep talking. But don't expect me to break.

This is me. The real me.

And I'm not going anywhere."

I hit post. No comments allowed. No DMs open.

Just my truth, sitting loud and proud on everyone's feed.

By second period, it had already spread across campus like wildfire.

Some people respected it.

Some people rolled their eyes.

Maya reposted it with a "👀".

Ayo didn't react at all.

But Lucas?

He showed up at my locker, eyes warm.

"That was powerful," he said, brushing his fingers against mine.

I shrugged. "Did what I had to do."

He leaned in close. "You didn't just speak up, Jas. You set fire to their fake little stories."

And in that moment, for the first time in days, I breathed easier.

[LUCAS – POV]

She was fearless. Even when she didn't feel it.

That post? It shut people up. Not all, but enough.

And the ones still whispering—well, they weren't brave enough to say it to her face.

But Ayo… he wasn't done.

He waited until the courtyard emptied after lunch, then cornered her near the benches.

I saw it from a distance and dropped everything.

By the time I reached them, he was saying, "Just admit it, Jas. You're not over me."

She stared at him like he was dirt beneath her shoe.

"You're right," she said. "I'm not over what you did. But I'm over you."

Then she turned around.

And walked straight into my arms.

Ayo stood there, blinking. Speechless for once.

Good.

This was the girl I fell for.

And I'd make sure she never had to fight alone again.