The day had been… normal.
Suspiciously normal.
No rumors blowing up.
No dramatic confrontations.
Even Ethan had been quieter than usual—which was honestly the biggest red flag of all.
"I don't trust this peace," I muttered to myself as I walked down the hallway.
School had already started emptying out, and I was heading toward the back corridor to grab something I'd forgotten earlier.
It was one of those parts of the school people didn't really use much.
Quiet.
A little too quiet.
My footsteps echoed softly as I walked.
"Grab your book and leave," I whispered to myself. "In and out."
I reached my locker in the far corner and quickly opened it, grabbing what I needed.
Then I shut it.
And turned—
Only to freeze.
Three boys stood a few feet away.
Not from my class.
Older.
Leaning against the wall like they had nowhere else to be.
One of them smirked.
"Well, look who wandered in."
My stomach tightened.
"Just passing through," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
I stepped forward.
They didn't move.
Another one pushed off the wall.
"Why the rush?"
"I have somewhere to be."
"Stay a little," the first one said, stepping closer.
My grip tightened around my bag.
"Move."
They didn't.
Instead—
One of them reached out.
And grabbed my wrist.
Everything in me snapped into alert.
"Let go."
He didn't.
"Relax," he said. "We're just talking."
"I said let go."
I tried to pull back.
His grip tightened.
My heart started racing.
Fast.
Too fast.
"Hey—"
Before I could react further—
A voice cut through the corridor.
Sharp.
Cold.
"Take your hand off her."
Everything stopped.
The boy holding me froze.
I didn't even have to turn around.
I knew that voice.
Austin.
Relief hit so fast it almost made my knees weak.
The boy scoffed but didn't immediately let go.
"And what if I don't?" he said.
That was a mistake.
Footsteps.
Fast.
Then—
Austin was there.
And in the next second—
The boy's hand was off me.
Not gently.
Forced away.
"Don't touch her," Austin said, his voice low and dangerous.
I had never heard him sound like that before.
The other boys straightened.
"Chill," one of them said. "We were just messing around."
Austin stepped slightly in front of me.
Protective.
Blocking.
"It didn't look like that."
"It's not your problem," the first guy muttered.
Austin didn't hesitate.
"It is now."
Silence.
Tense.
Heavy.
For a second, I thought it might turn into something worse.
But then—
One of them sighed.
"Whatever."
He nudged the others.
"Let's go."
They backed off slowly, throwing a few last looks before finally walking away.
The moment they turned the corner—
The tension snapped.
I exhaled shakily.
Austin turned to me immediately.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded quickly.
"Yeah… yeah, I'm fine."
"Did they hurt you?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He studied my face like he was checking for any sign I was lying.
I wasn't.
Just… shaken.
"That was weird," I said, trying to lighten it.
"They shouldn't have touched you," he replied.
His jaw was still tight.
His shoulders tense.
"Austin," I said softly.
He looked at me.
"I'm okay."
He exhaled slowly.
Some of the tension left his expression.
But not all of it.
"You shouldn't be back here alone," he said.
"I just came to grab something."
"I know."
I hesitated.
"…Thank you."
He didn't respond immediately.
Just looked at me.
Then—
Without warning—
He stepped closer.
Much closer.
My heart skipped.
"Austin—"
And then he kissed me.
Not soft this time.
Not slow.
But firm.
Clear.
Intentional.
Like he was still holding onto that protective energy.
Like he needed to say something without words.
I froze for half a second—
Then melted into it.
Because despite everything…
It felt safe.
When he pulled back, his hand was still lightly holding my arm.
"You're mine," he said quietly.
My breath caught.
Not possessive in a controlling way.
But protective.
Certain.
I blinked.
"…You just said that out loud."
"Yeah."
I stared at him.
"That was bold."
"I meant it."
My heart was racing again.
For a completely different reason now.
"You always mean everything you say, don't you?"
"Yes."
"That's dangerous."
He smiled slightly.
"Only for you."
I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling.
"Unbelievable."
He relaxed a little now, the tension finally fading.
"Come on," he said, taking my hand.
"I'm not letting you walk around alone today."
I didn't argue.
Not this time.
As we walked out of the empty corridor together, I glanced at him.
Still calm.
Still steady.
Like nothing could shake him.
"…You really showed up at the perfect time," I said.
He glanced at me.
"I always do."
I laughed softly.
"Confident."
"Accurate."
I shook my head.
But I didn't let go of his hand.
And honestly?
After what just happened…
I didn't want to.