CHAPTER 78
**WINTER**
I inhaled sharply, fighting against the rising tide of panic threatening to swallow me whole.
**What’s the worst he could do?** I tried to reassure myself, seeking some semblance of confidence to steady my trembling limbs.
**It’s Zion. He’ll probably pull some ridiculous stunt, but that’s it. He can’t really hurt me.**
Right?
Yet, despite my efforts to convince myself, a persistent dread coiled tightly in my stomach. Zion wasn’t just angry—he was out for revenge, and I had just handed him all the ammunition he needed.
**Come on, Winter. You’ve dealt with worse. You can handle this.**
I shook my arms as if that would somehow lighten the weight pressing down on me. I had to stay resilient. Zion might think he was untouchable, but I refused to back down without a fight.
I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath, bracing myself for the storm that was sure to follow.
...
I yanked my locker open, forcing myself to keep my gaze down as I awkwardly rummaged through my books, pretending I was unaffected. But from the corner of my eye, I noticed a group of girls approaching. For a fleeting moment, our eyes locked, and I could see their lips curl into smug grins as they huddled closer. They leaned in, casting sly glances in my direction, and even though they were whispering, the sharp notes of mockery cut through the air.
I tried to ignore the uneasy sensation settling in my chest, but a few snippets of their conversation pierced through the silence.
“Did you hear what she did to Zion?” one of them hissed, her voice dripping with disdain.
“She threw an *apple* at him! Can you believe that?” another added, her laughter laced with cruelty. “What a stupid move! She’s practically begging for trouble.”
A cold shiver crept down my spine. They weren’t just whispering; they were relishing the chaos, letting their words hit like arrows. I glanced back again, but they were still watching, their eyes gleaming with the kind of smugness that came from having inside information.
"Can you believe that clueless new girl actually thinks she can make Royal look bad and embarrass him without facing any consequences? The third girl chuckled, pretending to be concerned with a dramatic pout. "She's really just asking for trouble..."
"She's done for," another girl snickered, shaking her head in disbelief. "I heard he’s planning something... something she won’t expect at all. Just wait until..." she paused for dramatic effect—
"she becomes his personal target."
Their words sunk into me, heavy and foreboding, like an anchor dragging me down. They exchanged one last smirk, and I could almost hear their mocking whispers of “good luck, loser” trailing behind them as they sauntered off, their laughter hanging in the air like the distant rumble of thunder before a storm. My hands trembled slightly as I clutched my books tighter, feeling the pit in my stomach twist with every taunt. Each word was a harsh reminder that something dark loomed on the horizon, ready to collide with my reality.
......
“Winter!” Claire shouts, catching up to me as I’m about to walk into my English class.
I stop, taking a deep breath before turning to face her. Claire rushes toward me, her ponytail bouncing with every step, concern etched across her features. Her eyes, usually so bright and inviting, now hold a flicker of anxiety. Beside her is a guy I don’t recognize—a ridiculously handsome student, of course, because this school seems to be packed with them. His dark hair is tousled as if he just rolled out of bed, yet he still manages to look effortlessly flawless, wearing a casual graphic tee that hugs his toned arms.
“What the hell we're you thinking!” Claire said, her tone a mix of disbelief and worry.
I raise an eyebrow, unsure of how much she knows. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about! You threw an apple at Zion. Zion Royal!” she hisses, her eyes wide with shock. “Seriously, what were you thinking? Do you have a death wish?”
I try to brush it off with a shrug, but she’s not done yet.
“And why wasn’t I there to witness it? I would have love to have seen that” she adds, half scolding and half teasing, but the concern is still evident in her voice.
“But… throwing something at him? What were you hoping to accomplish?”
Too embarrassed to answer, I settle for a weak shrug.
“Zion was harassing some girl, and I—”
Claire grabs my shoulders, giving me a small shake before I can finish.
“Harassing?” she repeats, her voice dripping with disbelief. “Come on, Winter. I bet the girl was thrilled to have his attention.” She lets out a frustrated sigh, her blue eyes narrowing in disapproval.
“Well she was crying. He was literally bullying her..I didn’t think...I just...,” I said, not sure how to make her understand.
I take a quick look at the guy next to her, who’s been quiet the whole time, just watching with a calm and unreadable face. Claire gives me a little nudge with her elbow, raising her eyebrows at me as she glances over at him.
"Um...."
“Oh. This is Henry,” she says, her voice getting a bit brighter as she points him out.
He doesn’t say anything, just gives a nod, but his eyes are locked on me in a way that feels way too intense. It’s like he’s studying my face, searching for something hidden deep down. The silence stretches out, making me uncomfortable, and I shift my weight, feeling a strange need to look away from his gaze.
“Nice to meet you,” I manage to say, trying to keep it casual, but inside, I feel a bit on edge. His stare isn’t the friendly curiosity you’d expect from someone new; it feels more like he’s dissecting my every expression, as if I’m some kind of puzzle he’s determined to figure out.
"Look, Winter," Claire continues, her tone growing serious, "I warned you to stay away from Zion! He’s bad news. Beautiful on the outside, but rotten to the core. You’ve just painted a target on your back.”
Her words hit hard, weighing down my chest and making me feel like I’ve crossed a line I can’t come back from. I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “He can’t turn the whole college against me.” But even as I say it, a sense of panic begins to claw at my insides.
Claire presses her fingertips to her forehead, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Winter, he already has.”
True to her words, the rest of my day spirals into a living nightmare. Word of what I did to Zion spreads like wildfire, and by the time fourth period rolls around, I’ve gone from being a nobody to public enemy number one. Every student I pass either ignores me completely or glares at me like I’ve committed some unforgivable crime. I’ve somehow landed on the wrong side of the so-called "Kings," and my punishment is swift—I’ve become a social outcast overnight.
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