Chapter 5 Hanging On The Edge.

 I dragged myself toward the bus stop, the weight of the day pressing against my shoulders like a physical force. I hadn’t expected Preston High to hit me this hard on the first day, and now, as if the universe had a sick sense of humor, I had to head straight to work.

The restaurant smelled of fried oil and spiced chicken the moment I stepped in, the clatter of plates and shouts from the kitchen filling the air. I forced a smile at the manager and started setting tables, trying to ignore the throbbing ache behind my eyes.

“Hey,” Alice, my co-worker, leaned against the counter, giving me a pointed look. “You okay? You’ve been off all afternoon.”

I shook my head, tugging at the edge of my uniform. “Yeah… yeah, I’m fine. Just a long day, that’s all.”

Her eyes softened, but she didn’t push further. She knew better than to pry when I didn’t want to talk. Still, a small part of me wanted to tell someone what happened, to let someone in on the mess of my first day. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

Orders came fast and furious. Plates piled up, drinks spilled, and I barely had a moment to catch my breath. I was scraping by when the bell above the door jingled, announcing new customers. My stomach twisted when I saw them: Adrian and his group of friends. Chloe was there too, smirking as she leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

“Hey… is this the girl from school?” one of Adrian’s friends whispered loudly, nudging him.

Adrian’s eyes locked on me, a cruel smirk spreading across his face. “Well, well, if it isn’t the scholarship kid. What are you doing here? Flipping burgers now?”

My hands trembled slightly, and I gritted my teeth. I set a plate down with a little too much force, the clatter echoing across the restaurant.

“Slow down there,” Adrian continued, voice loud enough for nearby tables to hear. “Don’t want to burn the food, huh? Maybe this isn’t your world either.”

Chloe rolled her eyes, but her smirk was sharp. “Yeah, don’t think for a second that messing with you in class was the worst. We’re just getting started.”

Alice appeared behind me, her hand lightly on my shoulder. “Ignore them, Ivy. Just… do your job.”

I swallowed hard, nodding, trying to steady my hands. I took their order, trying to keep my voice calm, professional, but every word felt like a trap. Adrian leaned on the counter, watching me struggle with satisfaction. I could feel my cheeks burning, anger and humiliation bubbling inside me.

As I brought out their drinks, Adrian snatched one of the glasses from my hand. “Careful! Don’t spill it, newbie. You might ruin the table.”

“Sir, please,” I managed, my voice shaking but firm. “It’s just—”

“Just what? Just embarrassing yourself?” he interrupted, voice sharp and mocking.

I could feel my chest tightening, and then I saw him glance at someone behind him. My heart lifted slightly when I noticed Asher standing at the edge of the restaurant, his jaw tight, eyes dark with irritation.

“What’s going on here?” Asher stepped forward, voice steady but low. “Back off, Adrian. Leave her alone.”

Adrian’s smirk faltered, replaced by a glare that could cut glass. “Oh, you’re sticking up for her now? Who asked you?”

“I don’t care,” Asher said, his voice firm. “She’s done nothing to deserve this.”

Adrian stepped closer to Asher, and I could feel the tension crackling in the air. I wanted to stop it, to vanish into the kitchen, but something in me—a spark I hadn’t realized was there—made me stay.

The manager finally appeared, frowning. “Ivy, take the rest of the day off. You’ve been off all afternoon, and clearly, this isn’t going well.”

I barely registered his words. I nodded silently, grabbing my bag and slipping out the back door before anyone could stop me.

The walk home was heavy, each step echoing my exhaustion. My hands were shaking, my cheeks still hot with the lingering embarrassment. I barely noticed when a sleek car pulled up beside me.

“Ivy! Wait!” Asher called from the driver’s seat, leaning out the window with that infuriatingly charming grin.

“I’m fine,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll walk.”

“Come on, you don’t have to do this alone,” he said, insistent in his tone.

I hesitated, then sighed. He didn’t look like he was going to let it go. Reluctantly, I climbed into the car. The leather smelled faintly of newness, and the quiet hum of the engine made the tension in my chest ease just a little.

“Why are you working so hard?” Asher asked after a moment, voice soft but curious.

I exhaled, glancing out the window. “Family situation. We… I need the money. There’s no other way.”

He nodded slowly, understanding flickering across his features. “I get it… that’s a lot to handle, Ivy.”

“I just… can’t let anyone know. My parents… they’d worry too much,” I murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

Asher reached over, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Hey… you’re doing your best. That’s all anyone can ask for.”

We were quiet for a moment, the car engine purring beneath us. The world seemed to shrink around the two of us, and my heart skipped as his eyes held mine. Slowly, he leaned closer, and I felt my breath hitch. My chest tightened, and for a heartbeat, our faces were just inches apart. Almost—so close I could feel the warmth of his lips—but then he pulled back, breaking the moment before it could go further.

“You okay?” he asked, voice softer now, almost shy.

I nodded, cheeks flushed, a small, shy smile tugging at my lips. “Yeah… thanks, Asher.”

He smiled back, and for the first time all day, I felt something like peace.

When we pulled up a couple of streets from my house, I slipped quietly out of the car. “Thanks,” I muttered.

“Wait,” Asher said, frowning. “You sure? You don’t want me to come all the way up?”

“I’m fine,” I said, trying to sound firmer than I felt. “My parents… they don’t like boys hanging around.”

He hesitated, then nodded. “Alright… but I'll call you later, okay?”

I gave a small wave, and he drove off, leaving me standing in the dim evening light. I quietly slipped inside, hoping no one had noticed me. 

“Ivy! How was your first day at school?” my mother asked, voice light, hopeful.

I swallowed hard. “It… it was fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Really fine.”

My father’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. Just as I exhaled, a knock came at the door.

“What now?” my mother muttered.

I peeked through the window. It was Mrs. Kwan, our nosy neighbor, waved at my parents. “I couldn’t help noticing the car your daughter came in… quite the ride, huh?”

Your daughter… was dropped off by a boy,” she said loudly, tone full of judgment.

My father’s face went red. “A boy?” He turned to me, voice sharp as steel. “First day at the new school, and you’re already bringing boys home?!”

I froze, my stomach twisting. “Dad—”

“I don’t want you going back there,” he said, voice sharp, eyes narrowing. “Not until you learn your place and stop getting carried away with those rich kids who think they can do whatever they want.”

In that moment, I couldn’t tell if my dad meant it… or if anger was speaking for him, and whether I would ever set foot in Preston High again.”