The courtyard buzzed with chatter as students crossed between classes. Elise walked alone, her books clutched tightly against her chest. Just a few steps away, Ellie leaned close to Nikki, whispering venom.
"She's acting so innocent, but Elise is definitely trying to get Davon's attention," Ellie hissed.
Nikki smirked. "Then we'll make her regret it."
Neither girl noticed the tall figure watching from the shadows. Davon's crimson eyes narrowed. His voice cut like steel.
"Stay away from her."
Both girls froze. Nikki grabbed Ellie's wrist and tugged her back, but Davon had already closed the distance, his gaze sharp enough to pierce.
"I know what you're plotting," he said coldly. "Elise doesn't need snakes around her. If I see either of you near her again…" His voice dropped lower, darker. "…you'll wish you hadn't."
The girls flinched, then scurried off, their bravado gone. Davon didn't follow them—his eyes were already searching for Elise.
He found her outside the library, flipping through her notes.
"Elise," he called, his voice softer now.
She looked up, startled, then frowned at the tension in his face.
"You shouldn't trust Ellie," Davon said firmly. "She's with Nikki. They're planning something."
Elise's eyes widened for a moment, but then she shook her head sharply. "Davon, stop."
He blinked.
"You can't just tell me who I can or can't talk to," she said, her tone wavering between anger and hurt. "You have no right."
His jaw clenched. "I'm trying to protect you—"
"I don't need your protection!" she snapped. "You don't control my life. You're not my keeper. You're not… anything to me. So don't interfere again. Ever. Don't even cross my path."
The courtyard seemed to hold its breath.
Elise turned to leave, but when she glanced back, her chest tightened.
Davon stood still, his expression unreadable except for the faint shimmer in his crimson eyes. For the first time, she saw something raw in him—hurt, maybe even betrayal.
But he said nothing. Not a word.
He simply turned and walked away—quietly, quickly—his shoulders tense, as though holding back more than just tears.
Elise pressed her book against her chest, forcing her legs to keep moving, even as her heart whispered she might have gone too far.