The following days at Crestwood Elite Academy were a blur of tension, whispers, and stares. Everyone seemed to be talking about Zayden and Riley—their budding relationship, the controversy with Jade, and the ever-present feeling that something was about to explode.
Despite the chaos, Riley tried to focus on her classes. It was the only thing that kept her grounded, the one thing that felt normal in the middle of all the madness. But it wasn't easy. Everywhere she went, people watched her with a mixture of curiosity and judgment. She could feel the weight of their gazes, as if they were waiting for her to fail.
Zayden, on the other hand, was different. He seemed unfazed by the gossip, even if she could tell it was starting to get to him. His casual demeanor hid the storm brewing beneath the surface. And Riley could see it in his eyes—the way he was constantly on edge, as if waiting for something to happen.
One afternoon, as Riley was heading to the library, she ran into him in the hall. Zayden was leaning against the wall, his usual easy smile absent. His eyes were distant, and for the first time, Riley saw the weight of his world on his shoulders.
"Hey," Riley said, walking up to him. She hesitated for a moment before reaching out and touching his arm. "How's it going?"
Zayden met her gaze, his expression softening just a little. "Same as always," he replied, his voice lacking its usual playful edge. "Jade's been making threats, and I've got a ton of stuff to deal with. But... I'm managing."
Riley didn't believe him for a second. Zayden was never the type to admit he was struggling. But she knew him well enough by now to see the cracks in his armor.
"You don't have to deal with this alone," she said softly. "I'm here. We're in this together."
Zayden's eyes searched hers, as if looking for something—an answer, reassurance, maybe even a reason to believe her. His lips parted as if to say something, but then he stopped himself, shaking his head slightly.
"I don't want you to get dragged into my mess," he said, his tone earnest. "You don't deserve any of this."
Riley felt a pang in her chest at his words. She could see how much he was trying to protect her, but she wasn't some delicate thing that needed saving. She was a part of this now, whether he liked it or not.
"I've already chosen to be here, Zayden," she said, her voice firm. "I'm not going anywhere. Not now, not ever."
Zayden's eyes softened, and for a moment, it felt like everything in the world stopped. The chaos, the threats, the danger—none of it mattered. All that mattered was the quiet, unspoken connection they shared in that moment.
"I don't deserve you," he whispered, his voice full of emotion.
Riley smiled gently, shaking her head. "You don't have to deserve me. I'm right where I want to be."
Before Zayden could respond, the sound of footsteps interrupted them. Riley turned to see Jade walking toward them, her expression cold and calculating. Her eyes flicked over to Zayden, a barely concealed smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Well, well," Jade said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Still playing the martyr, Zayden? Trying to act like this little scholarship girl is your savior?"
Riley's heart raced, and she could feel the tension crackling in the air. Zayden stood tall, his jaw tightening, but it was clear that Jade's words were starting to get to him.
"Jade," Riley said, her voice steady and unflinching. "What do you want?"
Jade's gaze shifted to Riley, a dark glint in her eyes. "I want you to understand that you don't belong here. You don't belong with him. You're nothing but a distraction, a joke. And I'll make sure everyone knows it."
Riley's heart pounded, but she refused to back down. "You can try," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "But you're not going to win. Zayden and I are in this together. No matter what."
Jade's smile faltered for a second, and in that brief moment, Riley saw something unfamiliar in her—fear, perhaps, or maybe doubt. But it was gone just as quickly as it came, replaced by her usual venomous attitude.
"You'll see, Riley," Jade said with a sinister smile. "You'll regret this."
With that, Jade turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Riley and Zayden standing there, the air between them thick with tension.
Zayden let out a long breath, his expression hardening again. "She's not going to stop, is she?"
Riley shook her head, her hands clenched into fists. "No. But neither am I."
Zayden's gaze softened for a moment before he reached out and touched her hand, his fingers brushing against hers. "Thank you," he whispered. "For standing by me."
Riley squeezed his hand gently, feeling the weight of his words. "You're not alone, Zayden. You never will be."
But even as the words passed between them, Riley couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was only just beginning. And when it finally hit, it would tear everything apart.