The next day, the air at school felt thick with tension. Everyone knew about the altercation between Jackim and Marcus, whispers traveling faster than the speed of light. It was clear that things were about to spiral out of control — and Susan was stuck right in the middle.
---
When the bell rang for first period, Susan found herself walking to class in a daze. Her head was heavy with everything that had happened — the texts, Marcus's threatening words, Jackim's sudden appearance to defend her. She didn't know who to trust anymore. But what bothered her most was that she felt like she was losing control of her own life.
As she entered the classroom, she noticed Jackim already sitting at his desk, his gaze fixed on the front of the room. He didn't seem like the kind of person to start a fight, but Susan knew something had shifted between them after yesterday.
She took her seat, trying to avoid eye contact with him. But despite her efforts, Jackim's presence loomed over her. His silent support, his quiet strength, was the only thing that had given her any semblance of peace in this chaotic world.
---
But Marcus's shadow was long, and it wasn't about to fade anytime soon.
After school, as Susan walked to her locker, she spotted him leaning against the lockers with a devilish grin on his face.
"Well, well, Susan," Marcus said, his voice dripping with malice. "Looks like your little knight in shining armor has made you believe you're special. But don't get too comfortable, sweetheart. Nothing lasts forever."
Susan's heart pounded in her chest. The walls of her world felt like they were closing in. She wanted to run, but her feet remained rooted to the spot.
"Just leave me alone, Marcus," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't want any part of this. Just let me be."
Marcus stepped closer, his face inches from hers. "It's too late for that," he whispered back, his breath hot against her skin. "You're already in this, Susan. And now, you'll learn your place."
Before Susan could react, a hand gripped Marcus's shoulder, yanking him away from her.
Jackim stood between them now, his body tense, his jaw clenched.
"Touch her again, Marcus, and I'll make sure you regret it," Jackim warned, his voice low and dangerous.
Marcus chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing. "You think you can protect her, Jackim? You're nothing more than a poor kid trying to play the hero."
Jackim didn't flinch, his gaze unwavering. "I don't need to be anything more than what I am," he said coldly. "But I will protect her, even if it costs me everything."
For a moment, Marcus seemed to hesitate, the challenge in Jackim's eyes too much for him to ignore. But then, his smirk returned, and he backed off.
"Enjoy your little fairy tale, Jackim. It won't last," he spat before turning and walking away, disappearing into the crowd.
---
The tension didn't subside even after the confrontation. Susan was left standing there, her heart still racing from the confrontation. Jackim turned to her, his expression softening just slightly.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
Susan nodded, though she wasn't sure she was okay at all. The words from Marcus haunted her, and they gnawed at her like a poison she couldn't expel.
"I'm fine," she replied, but her voice betrayed her — trembling, uncertain.
Jackim gave her a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He knew things were far from fine. "I'm here for you, Susan. Always."
But even as he said those words, Jackim couldn't shake the feeling that things were going to get much worse before they got any better. He had made enemies with Marcus, and Marcus was the kind of person who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. And right now, what he wanted was Susan.
---
The days that followed were filled with a new level of torment. Marcus seemed to be everywhere — lurking in hallways, making cruel remarks, and constantly finding ways to undermine Susan. His friends followed his lead, making her life even more miserable.
And then, there was the undeniable change in Jackim. He was no longer the quiet, humble boy she had met in the cafeteria. There was an edge to him now, a quiet intensity that both scared and intrigued Susan.
Jackim was hiding something, and Susan could feel it. He wasn't just a boy from a poor family anymore. He was something else — someone more dangerous, someone with a secret.
---
One evening, as Susan made her way home, her phone buzzed with a message. She stopped on the sidewalk, pulling her phone out of her bag, her heart sinking as she read the text.
From Unknown:
> You think Jackim's your savior, don't you? You're just another pawn in his game. He's playing you, Susan. And when you're no longer useful, he'll discard you like the rest.
Susan's hands trembled as she stared at the message. She had heard whispers about Jackim's sudden change in demeanor, but this was the first time she had heard such a blunt accusation.
But what if it was true?
What if Jackim really was using her?
---
The following day, the air was thick with rumors. Susan couldn't escape the eyes that followed her every move, the whispers that echoed in the halls. Her reputation had been tainted once again. She was the girl who was being manipulated by Jackim, the girl who was too weak to stand up for herself.
She didn't know who to believe anymore. Was Jackim really her protector, or was he just using her to climb higher in the school's social hierarchy?
---
At lunch, Susan sat alone in the corner, staring down at her half-eaten food, the weight of everything pressing down on her chest. She didn't know how much longer she could keep up this façade. The pain, the betrayal, the uncertainty — it was all too much.
And then, she heard footsteps.
She looked up, her breath catching in her throat as she saw Jackim standing before her, his face unreadable.
"Hey," he said softly, his voice low. "We need to talk."
Susan stood up slowly, the unease settling in her stomach like a rock.
"About what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jackim's gaze softened for a moment, but it quickly hardened again. "About everything," he replied. "About Marcus, about what's really going on."
Susan's heart hammered in her chest. This was it — the moment when everything would either fall apart or come together. She had to decide what to do next.
---