Chapter 2: Spilled On Purpose

Back in class, Derek sat far to the left, sprawled like he owned the room, his presence was a constant pressure, and I felt it even when I refused to look his way. Bri, on the other hand, stayed in the front row, turning around often enough to check on me, her concern was persistent. By the time the final bell rang, my shoulders ached from holding myself so tightly in place, as I played the role of a good human kid.

Bri didn’t give me a chance to walk off alone. She fell into step beside me the moment we were released from class, talking freely as she guided me through the crowded halls and toward the lunchroom.

The moment we stepped in, the loud noise hit us. Laughter, clattering trays, the sharp smell of food, and bodies packed way too close together. My wolf bristled at the chaos, senses stretching too wide, but Bri didn’t seem to notice as she grabbed a tray and nudged one into my hands.

We moved down the line together. I picked at the options without giving them much thought, while letting her chatter fill the space as I focused on staying calm. When we finally sat, she chose a table near the edge of the room. She wanted to be close enough to watch everything but still far enough to avoid the center of attention. She smiled at me as she unwrapped her food.

“So,” she said, tilting her head. “What do you think of Silverwood High so far?”

I exhaled slowly, glancing around the room. “It’s… loud,” I said honestly. “But I’ve been to worse, so I won't say anything further.”

She laughed softly. “Yeah. Just give it time. You’ll find your rhythm. There's a place for everyone in this school. You won't believe the type of crazies that are around us everyday but because they play along as one of us, you'd never know.”

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"What?" she asked like she had just forgotten what she just said a few seconds ago. "Did I say something?"

"Yeah... you did," I muttered. "But I guess you don't remember."

"Oh," she sighed. "I'm sorry."

That was when the air shifted. The sound of the lunchroom dulled, like someone had turned the volume down just enough for instinct to take over. I didn’t have to look up to know he was there. My spine tightened, every nerve lighting up in warning.

A shadow fell across the table, and cold splashed over my chest.

The shock of it drew a sharp breath from my lungs as liquid soaked into my shirt and slid down my skin. Gasps rippled nearby. I looked up slowly, meeting sharp blue eyes already fixed on me.

Derek stood there, his empty cup tilted in his hand.

“Oh,” he said flatly. “My bad.”

His lips twitched just enough to tell me it wasn’t.

"Derek!" Bri rose from her seat. "What is this, Derek?"

"I said it was a mistake, didn't I make that clear?" Derek chuckled. "Or do you want me to get on my knees and blow your new boyfriend's shirt dry?"

That caught my attention as my breath caught.

I rose slowly, taking off my jacket. Then I turned to Derek, our eyes instantly locking with each other. I pressed my drenched jacket against his chest.

"Go ahead," I said in a low but rough voice. "If it was a mistake... then go ahead and blow it dry."

This caused him to freeze. He was clearly in disbelief. He turned to his friends around, making sure they were all witnessing the same thing. Then he turned back to me with a dead smile.

"And what if it wasn't a mistake?" he asked. "What are you going to do about it?"

Bri reached out to me. "It's okay, Ethan," she said. "We don't want to make this bigger than it already is. Please."

I turned my head slightly towards her, then I exhaled. "Fine."

I let it go. Not because Derek deserved mercy, but because I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me react the way he expected.

Bri let out a breath she’d been holding and gently tugged at my sleeve. “Come on,” she said quietly. “I’ve got something you can change into, and don't you worry. It's gender neutral.”

I looked down at my soaked shirt and nodded. “Yeah. That’d be good.”

She smiled in relief and gathered her things, already turning away from the table. I followed her without looking back because I didn’t need to. Still, I could feel Derek’s stare burning into my spine.

We had barely taken three steps when I felt the air around us charged and filled with anger. Footsteps closed the distance fast.

“Hey.”

We stopped.

I turned slowly, already bracing with anticipation. Derek stood there with his jaw tight and his hands clenched at his sides. His friends hovered behind him. They were all silent now and uncertain of his next move.

Something ugly twisted in his expression. I could tell being ignored didn’t suit him.

“You think you can just walk away from me?” he asked.

Bri shifted closer to my side. “Derek, please. We’re done here. We're leaving.”

He didn’t even look at her as his eyes stayed locked on mine. And spirits help me... I liked it.

“There’s a bathroom near the gym,” Bri murmured to me. “I have a spare shirt in my locker. It’s a bit oversized, but I believe it will suit you perfectly.”

“That’s convenient,” Derek sneered. “Letting him play dress-up now?”

I smiled before I could stop myself. That did it.

He stepped forward and shoved me hard in the chest, only this time, I didn’t move. I planted my feet and lifted my chin. His palm struck me again, harder this time.

Pain flared, but so did something else. It caused Derek to hiss, yanking his hand back like he’d touched fire. His fingers curled inward, his face flashing with shock.

I felt it then. The solid resistance of my body. The way his strike had done more damage to him than to me.

My wolf purred.

“You should be careful,” I said quietly. “You might hurt yourself.”

His breath came fast. His eyes flicked down to his hand, then back to my chest, as if trying to understand how that had just happened. Before he could react again, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

“What is going on here?”

A teacher approached quickly, eyes scanning the scene. The spilled drink, my damp clothes, Derek’s clenched fist.

Bri straightened immediately. “Sir, we were just leaving.”

The teacher nodded, gaze lingering on Derek for a second too long. “You two. Go. Now.”

Bri didn’t hesitate. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward. As we passed Derek, I leaned in just enough for him to hear me.

“That really was a mistake,” I murmured.

His breath hitched. I didn’t look back, but I felt his stare follow me all the way out of the lunchroom. My chest still tingled where he’d hit me.

And I couldn’t wait for the next time he tried again.