2. What!!

Ivory’s POV

The moment he spoke, I felt my breath hitch.

“Oh God…” I whispered internally, heart hammering against my ribs as if trying to claw its way out.

He’d only asked for my name, but it felt like a gunshot in a silent room. Daniel Connor. The name alone struck fear in every soul on campus. Rich, untouchable, and cold-eyed dangerous. I’d spent the last two years pretending he didn’t exist, choosing to blend into the crowd, to stay out of his orbit. And now, he was staring straight at me.

Everything in me screamed to run. So I did.

I turned and dashed out, not caring how ridiculous it looked. But I hadn’t made it halfway down the hallway when I felt his presence behind me closing in like a predator. Before I could react, he was there, his hand catching my arm like it belonged there. I stopped short, eyes widening as his gaze pierced through me.

“Daniel Connor,” he said smoothly. Then, “And you are?”

It was absurd how my voice failed me. My throat dried up, and my words came out like wisps of air. “Ivory… Ivory Walter.”

God, I sounded pathetic.

He studied me for a long moment before lifting my chin with the lightest touch, his fingers like ice against my skin. “See you soon, kitten.”

No. That couldn’t happen. I didn’t want to see him again. Not now, not ever. Daniel Connor was trouble in designer shoes. The kind of chaos that ruins you slowly and makes you thank him for it.

I tried to shake the moment from my head. It was break time anyway, and I was starving. Maybe food would help me reset. But luck clearly hated me today, because as soon as I stepped into the cafeteria, there he was again surrounded by his loyal entourage, effortlessly dominating the space.

Perfect. A distraction. I kept my head down, pretending not to notice, praying he wouldn’t see me as I hurried past to grab a tray. I picked a seat at the far end, intentionally turning my back to him.

Big mistake.

The moment I sat down, I sensed it.... his presence. His friends took the seats beside and across from me, laughing among themselves. Then his voice slithered over my shoulder.

“Kitten… are you afraid of me?”

My body froze. Without thinking, I nodded. Just a small one. Barely perceptible.

“You should be,” he murmured, before calmly turning to his food.

And just like that, the cafeteria went silent.

Whispers spread like wildfire. All eyes turned to me. That’s when I knocked over the stupid cup of coffee and it spilled right across Daniel’s designer jacket.

Time paused.

He stood slowly, eyes shadowed with fury. Before I could stammer out an apology, one of his friends Blake, I think slapped me across the face.

“You blind, idiot?” Blake snapped.

The sting burned instantly, my cheek throbbing. Daniel peeled off his jacket, eyes cold as winter, and threw it at me. The others followed, piling their jackets in my lap as if I were a servant.

“You’ll wash and iron every one of them. Then I’ll think of what else to do with you,” he said with a cruel smirk, then walked away.

My breath caught in my chest. I didn’t know what stung more the humiliation or the silence that followed. The onlookers either walked away in pity or mumbled cruel things under their breath.

Then came the last people I ever wanted to see Stella and her Barbie clones.

She walked over like a lioness with blood on her mind. Stella was flawless on the outside long, golden curls, sharp blue eyes, and legs for days. But that beauty housed a venomous heart. She was the queen of every corridor and made sure I never forgot where I stood beneath her.

Without warning, she yanked my hair back, forcing my head up.

“You little bitch,” she seethed. “Stay the hell away from Daniel and his friends.”

I stared at her, surprised I still had any strength left.

“What if I don’t?” I asked quietly.

Her eyes lit up like I’d just declared war. “You’ve got some nerve.”

Then chaos unfolded.

She grabbed my shirt and ripped it with brutal precision, dragging a manicured nail across my skin until it stung. I bit my lip to stop the whimper, but she wasn’t done. “Girls, deal with her.”

The blows came fast. Slaps. Kicks. Fists. I tasted blood, felt it dripping from my nose. Then something hard slammed into my ribs—like a rod. My body gave up. I collapsed, and the last thing I heard was Alicia screaming my name.

~~~

I woke up in the sterile white light of the school clinic.

My body ached everywhere. Doctor Lana stood beside the bed, arms crossed, looking equal parts irritated and disappointed. Alicia was right next to her, concern written across her face.

“You again,” Doctor Lana sighed. “You just can’t stay out of trouble, can you?”

“I.....” I began, but she cut me off.

“Stop being such a nerd and grow a spine,” she muttered as she turned away. “Piece of advice stay out of trouble.”

As soon as she walked out, Alicia scoffed, “What a miserable old witch.”

“Maybe… maybe she’s right,” I murmured, wiping a tear off my cheek.

“No, she’s not,” Alicia said fiercely. “She’s just like the rest of them.”

I looked down at my clothes, confused. “Did you give me these?”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “Your actual clothes are in your backpack.”

“Thanks,” I whispered, reaching for my glasses and bag.

“You’re leaving already?” Alicia asked.

“I have to. I don’t want Mom to worry.”

“You’re not even letting your wounds heal....”

“I’ll be fine.”

She let out an exasperated sigh, “Whatever. I swear, you’re the most stubborn girl I know.”

“I have some assignments to finish anyway,” I told her as I slipped out the door.

“We’re not even submitting them tomorrow!” she called after me.

“The earlier, the better,” I tossed back with a soft smile.

The halls were empty now. I liked it that way. Fewer stares. Fewer reminders.

I was just about to turn toward the exit when someone grabbed me from behind and yanked me into an empty classroom.

I tried to scream, but a warm hand clamped over my mouth.

I froze.

Green eyes.

No.

No. No. No.

Daniel.

My eyes widened in horror. “What now?” I thought frantically. “What the hell does he want?”

I thrashed, throwing a light punch against his chest.

“If you scream again,” he whispered, eyes dark, “I’ll kiss you.”

I blinked. What?

Was he serious?

My lips parted slightly. But I didn’t scream.

He slowly moved his hand away.

“Let me see,” he said.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Your wounds.”

I flinched, stepping back. “I don’t have any,” I lied.

He narrowed his gaze, scrutinizing me like I was lying which I was. In one swift move, he pinned my hands to the wall. His breath ghosted against my cheek, and I hated the way my knees weakened.

“Kitten…” he murmured, voice low and sinful.

I forgot how to breathe.

Then, louder this time, almost growling:

“Now show me your wounds.”