Nora stood by her locker, her fingers idly tracing her books, and arranging her stuff. The hallway bustled with students, voices overlapping in an indistinct murmur. She barely registered any of it. Her mind was a storm, restless and chaotic, replaying Emma's words over and over.
"Isn't it?"
The question haunted her, haunted at the edges of her denial. Emma had been so much into fallacies lately and Nora didn't even understand herself.
A voice cut through her thoughts.
"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite little ice queen."
She stiffened. That voice was familiar, It was Ben.
She turned slowly, her pulse already quickening. He stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, his smile seemed awkward. The hallway suddenly felt smaller, the air heavier. She had slapped him the last time they saw him.
"What do you want again Ben?" she asked, keeping her voice flat.
Ben clicked his tongue, tilting his head. "So cold, Nora. But that's what I like about you. Fiery when provoked, but underneath it all, just another girl waiting for a guy like me."
Her stomach turned in disgust. "You're delusional."
His grin widened. "I want to date you."
Nora blinked, unable to believe what she had just heard. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," he said, leaning in slightly, his voice lowering. "I like challenges. And you… well, you're an interesting one. To the first lady that ever raised her hands on me, you're special. So let's skip the games and make it official."
Nora recoiled. "You have got to be kidding me."
Ben chuckled, shrugging. "Come on, I'm being nice here. You could do worse."
"I'd rather date a rat."
His smirk faltered for a split second, then twisted into something darker. His hand shot out, pressing against the locker beside her, trapping her in place.
"Don't be stupid, Nora. You think you're too good for me?"
Before she could respond, a voice cut in, calm but laced with authority.
"She said no."
Both of them turned.
Jaytee stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable, but his eyes… were sharp, assessing, filled with something cold. He had an issue with Ben.
Nora exhaled in relief, but Ben only rolled his eyes.
Jaytee's lips curled slightly. "You should walk away."
Ben smiled, pushing off the locker. "Or what?" He took a step closer, pushing Jaytee on the shoulder "You're not as scary as you think you are. Weirdo!" He turned, and everyone laughed.
Jaytee didn't move, but the air around him seemed to shift. The easygoing demeanor he usually carried was gone, replaced by something far more unsettling.
"Try me."
Ben hesitated, but only for a moment. Then, with a sneer, he swung.
Jaytee sidestepped effortlessly, and Ben's fist cut through empty air.
The fight started in an instant.
Jaytee struck back, his movement fast, precise. His fist connected with Ben's stomach, knocking the breath from him. Ben staggered but recovered quickly, lunging again.
The hallway erupted in chaos as students scrambled back, forming a loose circle around them, some shouting in excitement, others in fear.
Nora's heart pounded. This wasn't just a schoolyard fight. Jaytee wasn't fighting like a normal student, his reflexes, his strength, the way he moved… It was unnatural and natural at the same.
Ben must have realized it too because he grabbed a metal ruler from the nearby janitor's cart and swung it with full force at Jaytee's head.
The time slowed. Nora saw it coming. Jaytee had his back turned, unaware of the attack from behind.
She didn't think.
She moved.
She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Jaytee from behind just as the ruler came down.
Pain exploded in her skull.
A sharp, very sharp pain, it blurred her vision and sent her knees shaking.
She barely registered the gasps around her. The way Jaytee stiffened in her arms. The way Ben stumbled back, eyes wide with horror.
Nora's world tilted, black spots dancing in her vision.
She felt Jaytee's hands grip her shoulders, steadying her.
Then, she heard his voice. It was low and comforting.
"You just made the biggest mistake of your life."
Ben barely had time to react before Jaytee lunged.
This time, there was no holding back.
Jaytee's hand shot out, grabbing Ben by the collar and slamming him against the lockers with enough force to make the metal go all in. The entire hallway seemed to tremble under the weight of his fury.
Ben's expression went into fear.
Jaytee leaned in close, his grip tightening. "You hurt her." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it sent a chill through everyone who heard it. "Give me a reason not to break you."
Ben swallowed hard, struggling. Forcing his way out of the grip.
Jaytee's fingers twitched. His eyes darkened, something ancient and dangerous flickering beneath the surface.
Nora, despite the throbbing pain in her head, managed to reach for his arm.
"Jaytee… don't."
His head snapped toward her, and for the shortest moment, his expression wavered. His grip loosened just slightly.
Ben took the opportunity. He stumbled back. "You're insane," he spat, wiping blood from his lip. "Freak."
Jaytee's gaze didn't leave him. "Leave."
Ben hesitated, then turned, pushing past the gathered students.
The second he was gone, Jaytee turned back to Nora. She was still swaying, her hand pressed to the side of her head. Blood trickled between her fingers.
Jaytee's chest tightened.
"You're hurt."
She gave him a weak smirk. "Yeah. Figured that out myself."
Then, her legs shook.
Jaytee caught her before she could hit the ground, holding her up effortlessly.
The whispers around them grew louder, but he ignored them all.
"We need to get you to the hospital," he said, voice tight.
Nora, barely conscious, murmured, "You're kind of dramatic."
He didn't reply. He was already moving, pushing through the crowd with her cradled in his arms. But she had blood on her, temptation.
Deep inside, something cold slithered through his veins.
That rage, what he had felt back there when he had nearly lost control.
It wasn't normal. Fighting for a woman, and again human.
And worse… it felt right.