Alex's POV:
Back to the present
A gust of warm air brushed against my ear, snapping me awake. I jerked upright from where I'd been slouched over the desk, blinking the sleep from my eyes as the classroom lights swam into focus.
Standing beside me was June, arms crossed, wearing that all-too-familiar smug smile.
"You're always sleeping," she said, shaking her head. "From middle school until now, it's like napping in class is your favorite hobby."
I scowled, still groggy, my voice rough. "What do you want, June?" I muttered. "You always show up when I least want you to."
She just shrugged, unfazed. "I'm bored, and I just got dumped. You're my best friend, so… here I am. Comfort me."
I groaned and turned away, hiding my face in the crook of my elbow. "Get lost, June. You're clearly using that as an excuse to cling to me. Go annoy someone else."
"Unbelievable!" she muttered dramatically, plopping into the seat next to me. "You're the worst friend ever. You don't care about my feelings at all."
She started whining about how cursed she was to have a friend like me, her voice cutting through the quiet classroom like a siren.
Then I heard it—the heavy thud of footsteps coming our way. June turned toward the sound, and I saw her stiffen out of the corner of my eye. Jason.
He was walking straight toward us. My muscles tensed.
He stopped right in front of my desk and slammed his hand down hard. The whole room seemed to pause. I slowly raised my head, locking eyes with him.
Neither of us said a word. We didn't need to. Our eyes did all the talking. His glare burned with hatred. Mine? Calm. Cold. Focused.
I could feel the tension spike around us. June said nothing, but I felt her shift uneasily beside me.
Jason tried to stand tall, puffing his chest out, but I saw the slight tremble in his fists. Saw right through him.
Then June stepped between us, her hand pressed against Jason's chest. "Jason, don't cause trouble. Please. Just leave."
He shoved her hand away. "This doesn't concern you. You can't protect him. I'll make him pay for what he did."
I could feel June's eyes dart toward me. "What's he talking about?" she asked.
I sighed, brushing a hand through my hair and leaned back in my chair. "I paid a friendly visit to them yesterday."
June's gaze dropped to Jason's cheek—the faint swelling there. She looked back at me in disbelief. "Alex… you hit him?"
"Well," I said through a yawn, "he still has his pretty face mostly intact. I was feeling generous."
Jason's face turned crimson. His fists clenched tighter, jaw grinding. I could see it—he was going to blow.
"Jason, just let it go," June said. "It's not worth it. Just walk away."
He turned on her. "Are you protecting him now?"
She didn't answer.
He stepped closer to me, close enough to smell his cheap cologne. "I don't care who you are. You messed with the wrong people."
"You talk too much," I said flatly. I looked up at him, not even blinking. "Do something, or leave."
He lunged.
I was already standing. My chair crashed behind me as I ducked under his punch and drove my fist into his gut. He folded instantly. I grabbed his collar and shoved him back. He stumbled into the row of desks behind us, gasping like a fish out of water.
The class exploded in chaos. Screams. Shouts. Chairs scraping. Someone ran for a teacher.
"Stop it!" June yelled, grabbing my arm. "Don't do this here!"
I froze, my hand still clenched. My knuckles were bone white.
Jason was on the floor, coughing and struggling to stand.
Then the teacher stormed in, eyes wide. "What's going on here!?"
Jason didn't say anything. Just pushed past the teacher and stormed out.
I didn't say anything either. I picked up my chair, sat down again, and dropped my head back on the desk like nothing had happened.
The classroom went dead quiet.
Later that day, I knew June would follow me. She always did. I was lying on the rooftop bench, arm thrown over my eyes, letting the breeze cool my face.
"Why did you do it?" she asked from behind me.
I didn't move.
"You know you're going to get in trouble. Jason's not just anyone. He has connections—people who'll come after you."
I pulled my arm down and looked at her. My voice came out quiet. "I know. But I couldn't help it. He hurt you. And I don't like people like that walking around pretending they're untouchable."
She sat beside me, hugging her knees.
"I'm scared for you," she said.
"I'm used to it."
"Why do you always have to handle everything on your own?"
"Because no one else ever did."
We sat there in silence. The wind danced around us, tugging gently at our clothes.
Then June rested her head on my shoulder.
"You didn't have to go that far," she whispered.
"I didn't mean to," I said. "But when I saw him standing over you… I remembered something."
She looked up at me. "What did you remember?"
I hesitated, eyes on the sky. "My mom. And the night she screamed for help. I was small. I hid. I didn't do anything. I swore I'd never freeze again."
I didn't have to look to know her breath had caught.
"So no," I continued, "I won't apologize for what I did. And I don't care if Jason hates me. But if someone like him ever lays a hand on you again—"
My voice cracked. I swallowed. "—I'll kill them."
Tears welled in her eyes. She reached over and held my hand tight.
"I don't want you to become a monster because of me," she said quietly.
I looked at her, her face so close, her warmth seeping into my bones.
"I already am," I whispered.