The late afternoon sun painted the Westview High parking lot in streaks of gold and shadow, but Olivia felt none of its warmth.
Her backpack hung heavily from one shoulder as she walked across the cracked asphalt, head down, earbuds in—but no music playing. She kept them there anyway. A silent barrier between herself and the whispers she knew would follow her.
Cheer Captain Fall.
Fake Victim.
Manipulator.
The rumors still clung to her like stains no amount of scrubbing could remove.
She just needed to get to her apartment. Shower. Sleep. Forget today ever happened.
“Hey, Olivia.”
Her steps froze.
That voice.
Slowly, she lifted her head.
Brett leaned against the hood of a dusty pickup truck, his arms crossed. Two other guys stood beside him—football players she vaguely recognized. Their smirks made her stomach twist.
Of course.
Her grip tightened around the strap of her backpack.
“Move,” she said quietly.
Brett pushed off the truck, strolling toward her with exaggerated laziness.
“Relax,” he said. “We just want to talk.”
The other boys snickered.
Olivia’s pulse quickened. She glanced around the parking lot. Students were leaving, but most were already gone.
Great.
“What do you want?” she asked, keeping her voice steady.
Brett tilted his head, studying her.
“You know, people are still talking about that video,” he said casually. “The one where you shoved Sophia.”
“I didn’t shove her.”
“Oh?” He reached out suddenly and grabbed the strap of her backpack. “Maybe you just tripped, right?”
Before she could react, he yanked it hard.
Her bag slipped off her shoulder.
“Oops,” Brett said, grinning.
The two boys behind him laughed.
Something cold spread through Olivia’s chest.
“Give it back.”
“Make me.”
He lifted the backpack slightly, like he was about to toss it onto the pavement.
And then—
A car screeched to a sudden stop nearby.
The sharp sound cut through the tension.
All four of them turned.
A sleek black car had pulled into the parking space beside them. The engine was still running.
The driver’s door opened.
Ethan Carter stepped out.
For a second, the entire parking lot seemed to go silent.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark hair falling slightly over sharp eyes.
Captain of the basketball team.
Westview High’s golden boy.
And right now—
He looked furious.
He shut the car door slowly and walked toward them, his gaze locking onto Brett.
Olivia’s heart skipped.
What is he doing here?
Ethan stopped beside her.
Without saying a word, he stepped slightly in front of her—shielding her from the others.
The movement was subtle.
But unmistakable.
“Give it back,” Ethan said calmly.
Brett blinked.
“Uh… what?”
Ethan’s eyes flicked toward the backpack in Brett’s hand.
“Her bag.”
Something in his tone made the air feel heavier.
Brett hesitated.
“Look, man,” he said quickly, forcing a laugh. “We were just joking around—”
“Did I ask?”
The words were quiet.
But sharp.
Brett swallowed.
Olivia could practically feel the shift in power.
Everyone knew Ethan Carter didn’t lose his temper easily.
But when he did…
It wasn’t pretty.
“Just… give it back,” Ethan repeated.
Brett slowly handed the backpack over.
Ethan took it and turned slightly, offering it to Olivia without looking at her.
“Thanks,” she murmured, stunned.
Then Ethan faced Brett again.
“Stay away from her.”
No shouting. No threats.
Just a statement.
Brett opened his mouth to argue—but the look in Ethan’s eyes stopped him cold.
After an awkward pause, he stepped back.
“Yeah. Sure.”
He motioned to the other two guys.
“Let’s go.”
Within seconds, they were retreating across the parking lot like nothing had happened.
Olivia exhaled slowly.
She hadn’t even realized she’d been holding her breath.
“You okay?” Ethan asked.
His voice had softened.
She looked up at him, confused.
Why would he care?
“I’m fine.”
Before she could say anything else, another voice rang out.
“Ethan?”
Sophia Davis walked toward them across the parking lot.
Perfect hair. Perfect smile.
Perfect timing.
But the moment her gaze landed on Olivia standing behind Ethan, that smile faltered.
Just for a second.
“Oh,” she said lightly. “I didn’t realize you two knew each other.”
Ethan didn’t respond.
He didn’t even look at her.
Instead, he turned back to Olivia.
“Did they hurt you?”
Sophia’s expression tightened.
Olivia shook her head quickly.
“No.”
Ethan nodded once.
“Good.”
Sophia stepped closer, trying again.
“Ethan, I was just heading to the student council meeting. Maybe we could—”
He walked past her.
Like she wasn’t even there.
Sophia froze.
Olivia almost felt bad for her.
Almost.
“Where do you live?” Ethan asked.
“What?”
“I’ll drive you.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“It wasn’t a question.”
She blinked.
“Why?”