Leo's POV
The school felt colder without him.
Whispers followed me everywhere—echoes of that damn video. Students gave me side-eyes. Teachers avoided my gaze. It was like Kieran had become a ghost… and I was haunted.
But I wasn't going to let them bury him.
Not again.
---
I stood before the student council, palms sweaty, heart thundering.
"This isn't just about a video," I said, voice louder than I expected. "This is about fear. And how easy it is to ruin someone with a few edited seconds."
The president frowned. "Leo, the footage—"
"Is fake," I cut in. "And we all know it. But no one's brave enough to say it. Why? Because it's easier to let fear win than to stand up."
Silence.
I dropped a file on the desk. "These are timestamps. Witness accounts. Security logs. I gathered them myself. They prove Kieran was defending someone."
A pause.
Then one of the council members, Sera, leaned forward. "Why are you doing this?"
I met her eyes.
"Because I love him."
Gasps. Murmurs.
I didn't care.
"I'm not going to stay quiet while the person who's risked everything for me gets torn apart by someone hiding behind lies."
Sera nodded slowly. "I believe you."
The president sighed. "We'll call for a meeting with the faculty. The truth should be heard."
I breathed out, dizzy with relief.
It was only a first step.
But it was a step forward.
---
Later that night, I sat on the rooftop where we used to meet.
The wind bit cold.
My phone buzzed.
Kieran: Saw your speech. You're insane.
I smiled.
Leo: Only for you.
Kieran: Stay close to people you trust. Rael's moving fast.
Leo: Then we move faster.
---
Elsewhere, Rael watched a live stream of the council meeting.
He didn't flinch.
But the twitch in his jaw was real.
"He's louder than I thought," he muttered.
Then looked to the man beside him.
"Send the warning. Let's see how brave Leo is when things turn… personal."