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Caleb's POV
After school, I made my way to the football field. Some of the boys had already arrived early, doing their stretches. I dropped my bag to join them. Then I saw her, Clara.
She sat alone, flipping through her notebook. I stared at her, almost lost in thought. I watched every move she made. The way she sat with her legs crossed, how she tucked her hair behind her ear, how her lips moved as she read her notebook.
"Hey, new guy," Someone called from behind. I turned back and met Fabian's smug face.
"It's Caleb." I corrected flatly.
He gave a short, mocking laugh. "Yeah, yeah, Caleb, I got it." He rolled his eyes, like my name didn't matter.
I clenched my fist, biting down the urge to snap at him. The way he said it was careless and condescending. It made my stomach twist. He spoke as if he owned the place, like everyone else was beneath him. I hated his arrogance.
"We need to see you play today." He said with a smirk, "Are you ready?"
"Yes, I am," I replied, forcing my voice steady.
"Good, we will start in ten." He said as he turned away.
I watched him walk off, disgust curling in my chest.
The match was about to start as I took my position on the field. Students trooped in. The whistle blew and the match started.
The air was thick with the sounds of sneakers pounding against the grass. Sweat clung to my forehead as I ran across the field, passing the ball to my teammates before sliding the ball into a perfect goal.
The crowd cheered loudly. My teammates patted my back, but my eyes drifted to the edge of the pitch. I took a glance at Clara, but she was staring at Fabian.
A strange ache twisted in my chest. I hated that she was looking at him, the same guy who didn't deserve her attention.
The match had ended, and the crowd was impressed. They gathered round me, patting me and cheering me. I wanted to see her. My eyes scanned the field, but she was no longer seated. I went outside the field. Then I saw her.
She stood near the fence, and she waved as she smiled shyly. I walked towards her, pushing through the crowd. Before I could say anything, she agreed to my proposal.
I wasn't expecting her to accept so soon. I didn't know what to say. Across the compound, my eyes fell on Fabian holding Trisha's hand. He stared at Clara, and something about it made my skin crawl.
I wasn't comfortable with that. A sharp wave of anger hit me, burning in my chest, like he was looking at something that belonged to me. I hated the feeling, I hated how possessive it sounded, but I couldn't shake it.
I shifted my gaze to Clara. She looked up, and our eyes locked. I didn't plan it. I leaned closer, drawn by something I couldn't explain.
Her breath hitched as she blinked, whispering my name softly, but it was already too late. Our lips locked.
The world seemed to pause. For a heartbeat, there was no noise, no crowd, just the warmth of her lips against mine.
My pulse thundered in my ears, and for the first time in a long while, everything felt right.
It wasn't long, just a few seconds, but it was enough to shake something deep inside me.
When we pulled apart, the noise of the field rushed back. People stared, but I couldn't take my eyes off her.
I wanted to say something, to make it less serious; probably tell her I kissed her because Fabian was watching, but words failed me.
At that moment, I didn't see Clara, who was weak, bullied, and a victim of a dare. I saw her differently. I wondered if I had started falling for her.
I walked her home. We didn't say much. The air between us said everything.
The next morning, we walked into school holding hands. Her palm was soft and warm; it felt strange but right. There was tension between us, but as we walked the hallway, the tension reduced. Eyes stared at us as they whispered to themselves. I didn't care.
In classes, we kept stealing glances at each other, smiled when the teacher wasn't looking. Our relationship was meant to be for a short while, but I wanted to be near her all the time.
We walked side by side to the diner during break. We sat together as we ate, laughing at her jokes. She looked more beautiful when she laughed. I stared into her eyes for a long time. I knew I never wanted to see her cry again.
My phone rang, it was my dad. I told her I'll be right back, then stepped out to take the call.
"Caleb." his voice was sharp through the phone. "I hope you are on your best behavior. No fight, no trouble, and definitely no flirting around. You know what is at stake if you are expelled again?"
I swallowed, forcing myself to be calm. "I've been good, Dad. Promise."
"See that you stay that way, then maybe you can come back home." He said, then hung up.
I stared at my phone screen. I couldn't believe he just called me to say that. He didn't even ask how I survived in a new environment alone.
I hated how he spoke to me like I was some reckless kid who'd never change. I tried so hard to be good, to change. The few moments I spent with Clara made me good. She was beginning to change me.
I shoved the phone into my pocket and turned back toward the diner. As I approached the door, I heard noises.
The moment I stepped in, everything froze.
Clara was on the floor, her hair messy, her dress stained with spaghetti sauce. She stared at Trisha in fear. Trisha stood over her, raising a chair high like she was about to strike Clara with it.
Something snapped in me. I didn't think, I just moved.
"Hey," I yelled as I stormed forward. I grabbed Trisha's wrist midair and pushed her hard enough. She stumbled and fell on the floor.
"Touch her again and I swear…"
The room went dead silent. Everyone was staring. My chest rose and fell, anger burning through me like fire.
"Never touch her," I warned, my voice low and firm. "None of you," I said as I raised my face.
I turned back and helped Clara off the floor. I brushed her hair back, then reached out for the napkin on the table, and then I cleaned her dress.
"What are you doing with someone like her, Caleb?" A familiar voice said behind me. I turned, and it was Fabian. He smirked, "You are really falling low."
My fist tightened, "Watch your mouth."
He raised a brow. "I am just saying, you could do better than a…"
"Don't." My voice came out sharper than I meant. "Don't you dare finish that statement. Control your girlfriend and stay away from Clara."
The room stayed quiet as I reached for Clara's hand. Her fingers trembled against mine.
As we walked out, I could feel everyone's eyes on us, but all I saw was her face. Her eyes were red, her lips trembling, but she still looked beautiful. Vulnerable in a way that twisted something inside me.
"Are you okay?" I asked with a softer tone.
She nodded, barely. "Thank you."
I brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. "Don't cry, okay? I can't stand seeing you like that."
Our eyes met again, and this time the tension was heavy, unspoken but real. For a moment, I wanted to kiss her again, just to erase what had happened. But I stopped myself. We were supposed to be pretending. Just pretending. So why did it feel so real?
I squeezed her hand gently as I whispered, "I got you."
She smiled faintly, and for the first time that day, the anger in me settled.