He broke me. Then watched to see if I'd pick up the pieces
The cafeteria was still buzzing, but it wasn't the usual mindless chatter.
It was that tight, sharp kind of silence where everyone's pretending not to watch — but they are.
I didn't give them the satisfaction. I just crouched down, started gathering my scattered food from the floor. The apple had rolled under a table, the pudding had splattered into an unrecognizable mess, and the milk carton was leaking into my sleeve.
Great.
A shadow fell over me. "Here," a voice said softly.
Adrian.
Tall, with dark hair that always seemed to fall into his eyes, and that infuriating habit of looking at people like he actually saw them. He was holding out a fresh napkin and the apple, dusted off.
"You okay?" he asked, voice low enough so no one else could hear.
Before I could answer, another voice cut in — colder, sharper.
"She's fine."
Jason.
I didn't have to look up to know his expression — the lazy smirk, the eyes that weren't actually lazy at all but calculating. I could feel him watching.
Adrian ignored him, crouching beside me to help scoop my tray back together. "Here, let me—"
Jason's hand shot out, grabbing the edge of the tray before Adrian could pick it up.
"I said she's fine," Jason repeated, his voice casual but laced with something darker. "Aren't you, Anna?"
My throat tightened. I hated when he used my name in front of people. It always sounded like a claim.
"I'm fine," I muttered, taking the tray from him, though my hands trembled.
Jason leaned in just enough for only me to hear. "Party at Megan's. Tonight. You're coming."
I froze.
"No," I said automatically.
He tilted his head, still smirking. "Yes. Unless you want me to let my dad know how much Nana's been struggling with those medical bills. I'm sure he'd be happy to cut you off. I could make sure of it."
The air left my lungs.
"You wouldn't," I whispered.
His eyes gleamed. "Try me, Stepsis."
Adrian straightened, looking between us, his brow furrowed like he was trying to piece something together. Jason gave him a flat, unfriendly smile before turning back to his table.
The rest of lunch passed in a blur. I barely tasted the food Adrian had helped salvage. My mind was already spinning — about the party, about Jason, about how no matter how far I kept my distance, he always found a way to close it.
---
By the time the last bell rang, my stomach was in knots. The idea of being in the same room as Jason by choice felt insane, but I didn't have a choice. Not when Nana's well-being was at stake.
I walked home in a fog, my sneakers slapping the wet pavement, the sound of Jason's voice replaying in my head like a warning I couldn't mute.
That night, as I stood in front of my closet, I stared at my limited options. Jeans and hoodies. Nothing party-worthy. Not that I wanted to impress anyone, but I knew Jason. If I showed up looking like I'd just rolled out of bed, he'd have something to say — something to use.
In the end, I picked a simple black dress I'd worn once to a school concert, pairing it with a denim jacket. My hair hung loose, still damp from the shower. I told myself it didn't matter. I told myself I didn't care.
But the truth? I hated that a part of me did.
---
JASON'S POV
Anna didn't used to get under my skin.
Not at first.
When Dad married her mom, I thought she was... fine. Quiet. Kind of shy. Pretty in that annoying, effortless way. I kept my distance. She kept hers. It worked.
Then HerbMom died.
Cancer, fast and ugly. I was sixteen and angry at everything — the doctors, my dad, God, myself. Anna's grandma tried to comfort me once, right after the funeral. Said she knew how I felt because she'd lost her husband. I hated her for saying that. For comparing my mom to someone I barely remembered.
When she died a year later, something in me cracked. Dad barely noticed me anymore. Alcohol got all his attention, all his money, all his time. I told myself I hated her for that. Maybe I did. Maybe I still do.
But it's more complicated now.
The truth? I can't stand the thought of anyone else getting close to her.
Like Adrian.
I saw the way he looked at her in the cafeteria — like she was worth noticing. Like she was worth protecting. That pissed me off more than I'd admit.
She's not his to protect.
Yeah umm, I tripped her. Made everyone laugh. But it wasn't just about humiliating her. It was about reminding her who she belongs to.
And Adrian_____________________________________________________________________
When I told her about the party, I meant it. I wanted her there. I wanted to see her in my world, surrounded by my people, where she couldn't hide behind Nana's house or her corner table.
And Adrian?
If he shows up, I'll make sure he knows exactly where the line is.
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