Mag-log inChapter 24: The Shift in Power
The morning sun hit the high glass windows of Crestview Academy as I walked through the front doors. For two years, I walked into this place with my head down, keeping my shoulders small, hoping to slide through the halls like a ghost. I used to think if I stayed invisible, the rich kids wouldn't notice me and the mean words would pass me by.Not anymore.I kept my back straight and my head high as my shoes tapped on the shiny floor. MChapter 24: The Shift in PowerThe morning sun hit the high glass windows of Crestview Academy as I walked through the front doors. For two years, I walked into this place with my head down, keeping my shoulders small, hoping to slide through the halls like a ghost. I used to think if I stayed invisible, the rich kids wouldn't notice me and the mean words would pass me by.Not anymore.I kept my back straight and my head high as my shoes tapped on the shiny floor. My left ankle was wrapped tight under my pants, giving me a slight limp, but I didn't slow down.As I walked down the main hall, the noise near the lockers died down. Whispers moved through the crowd fast."Is that Maya?" a girl in a jacket whispered to her friend."Yeah. Did you hear what happened at the retreat?""They say she stood up to Victoria right inside the nurse's tent.""No way. Victoria hasn't even come to school for three days."I
Chapter 23: The Spark of FireThe stinging heat on my right cheek was sharp and raw, making tears spring to the corners of my eyes. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs, each thud ringing like a loud drum inside my ears. I sat there on the edge of the high medical bed, my head turned sideways from the force of her hand, my fingers pressed tight against my burning skin.Victoria stood over me, her chest heaving in fast breaths as she twisted the soft collar of Julian’s heavy flannel shirt tighter in her fist. Her painted face was twisted into a cruel sneer, her blue eyes shining with absolute victory.She thought I would cry. She thought I would shrink back onto the bed, hide my face, and beg her for mercy like I used to during my first week at the school. She thought a scholarship girl would always bow her head when a rich girl raised her hand.Something inside me snapped.It wasn't a sudden burst of rage. It was a cold, hard line that had finally been crossed after months of taki
Chapter 22: The Return of the KingThe thick green forest finally opened up, giving way to the gravel parking area where the retreat buses were lined up in a neat row. Dozens of students were gathered in clusters, their loud chatter cutting through the quiet morning air. The moment Julian stepped out from beneath the canopy of trees with me cradled tightly in his arms, the entire crowd went completely silent.Every single head turned toward us. Hundreds of eyes locked onto us, wide with shock, confusion, and surprise."Julian!"A sharp, shrill voice broke the quiet. Victoria came pushing through the crowd, her expensive white boots stepping right through the dark mud as she ran toward us. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled and her jacket looked brand new, but her face was full of dramatic panic."Oh my god, Julian!" she gasped, reaching out to grab his arm the second she reached us. "Where have you been? We were so worried about you! The guards have been searching the lower ridge fo
Chapter 21: The Morning ColdThe morning sun hit my face with a warm brightness that made my eyes sting. I blinked against the sharp light, my mind fuzzy as the heavy fog of sleep slowly cleared away. The storm had completely disappeared, leaving behind only the cool scent of wet pine trees coming through the cave entrance.I shifted slightly, and my hand brushed against the cold, damp dirt floor.The fire was dead. Only gray ashes and tiny, cold cinders were left where the orange flames had burned all night.My chest tightened as a sudden draft of cold air hit my bare neck. Julian wasn't holding me anymore. The heavy warmth of his arms wrapped around my waist, the soft press of his chest, and the burning heat of his skin were all gone.I sat up fast, gasping as a sharp ache pulled at my leg, but the terrible pain I expected in my left ankle didn't come.I looked down at my foot, and my breath caught right in my throat.Someone had carefully wrapped my ankle in a neat, sturdy splint.
Chapter 20: The Fevered VowThe small fire crackled softly in the dark cave, throwing long orange shadows across the cold stone walls. Outside, rain pounded against the thick trees, but inside, the air was surprisingly warm.Julian slumped sideways against the rough stone wall, his head resting heavily against the dry rock. His chest rose and fell in fast, shallow breaths, every single breath sounding like a ragged scratch in his throat. Sweat stood out across his pale skin, dripping down his forehead and catching along his sharp jawline. His teeth chattered violently, loud enough to ring inside the quiet space, even as his bare skin radiated a terrifying, unnatural heat.I completely forgot about the sharp, throbbing pain in my left ankle. I forgot about the ugly purple swelling hiding beneath the thick flannel shirt he had buttoned around me.I dragged myself forward across the dirt floor, wincing as my bad leg brushed against a loose rock, but I didn't stop until I was sitting righ
Chapter 19: The Scars We HideI stared at Julian’s hand, my mind struggling to make sense of the burning heat pressing against my cold skin. His fingers twitched under mine, shaking so hard that small bits of dirt fell from his hand onto the dry ground."Julian?" I whispered, my voice barely making a sound over the crackle of the small fire between us. "Your hand... you're burning up."Julian pulled his hand back fast, like my soft touch had burned him. He forced a rough, breathless laugh, but his dark eyes looked glassy and unfocused, reflecting the dancing flames in strange, unsettled waves."I'm fine," he growled, his voice much rougher than usual. He tried to clear his throat, but a heavy cough cut him off. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his shoulders shook hard with every gasp. "It's just the cold. Don't worry about me.""You ran three miles back down a mountain in freezing rain without a proper coat," I said, leaning closer even though my ankle throbbed wi







