Jayden's grip on Louisa's hand was surprisingly firm, a stark contrast to his usual languid demeanor. He didn't look back at the stunned faces in the classroom, his focus solely on navigating the crowded hallway.
Louisa, her mind still reeling from the confrontation and Jayden's unexpected intervention, stumbled slightly as she tried to keep pace. She glanced back once, catching a glimpse of Cassia's frozen, hurt expression and Anya's open-mouthed shock before Jayden steered her around a corner.
He didn't stop until they reached a quieter, less trafficked corridor near the school's administrative offices. He finally released her hand, turning to face her, his blue eyes intense and unreadable.
Louisa stood there, breathless, a whirlwind of confusion and a strange, unsettling awareness of his presence swirling within her.
"What… what just happened?" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
Jayden leaned against the cool stone wall, a hint of something – amusement? Calculation? – flickering in his eyes. "Damage control. The show was getting a little… uncivilized."
"But why, King?" Louisa asked, the nickname slipping out almost involuntarily, a testament to his undeniable presence. "Why defend me?"
He shrugged, a casual gesture that didn't quite reach his intense gaze. "Let's just say I dislike unnecessary drama. And public accusations rarely lead to anything productive."
"You knew about the dress," Louisa pressed, a flicker of defiance in her voice. "Finn spilled. About you and Cassia… the ridiculously rare Louis Vuitton."
Jayden's lips tightened slightly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Finn does have a tendency to… overshare." He paused, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "Yes, I'm aware of the dress. It's… rather hard to forget."
A sudden memory flashed through Louisa's mind – the brief, electric touch on her neck at the Welcome Party. "You knew from the very first time you touched me on my neck," she blurted out, a realization dawning. "You thought it was Cassia."
Jayden's cool facade flickered, a hint of surprise – or perhaps recognition – crossing his features before he smoothly masked it. "A fleeting impression in a crowded room. Easily mistaken."
Louisa's anxiety returned, sharper this time. "So you knew I was wearing it. You knew I shouldn't have been."
"Did you damage it?" His voice was low, the earlier amusement gone, replaced by a sharp intensity that made her breath catch.
"No! It… it was fine. A little dirty from the party, but Spotless Finish… my mum works there, she will do something about it. It was Kora. She… she poured wine on me." The words tumbled out, a rush of frustrated explanation. "That's why…"
Jayden studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Spotless Finish," he repeated slowly, as if turning the words over in his mind. "Interesting."
He pushed himself off the wall, closing the distance between them slightly. Louisa instinctively recoiled slightly, unsure of his intentions.
"Look, Wren," he said, his voice lower now, the earlier casualness gone. "This situation… it has the potential to become very messy. For everyone involved."
"You mean for me," Louisa countered, her fear tinged with a hint of defiance.
A ghost of a smile touched Jayden's lips. "Perhaps. But trust me, when the elite start squabbling over prized possessions, the fallout can be… widespread."
He paused, his gaze holding hers. "Consider my intervention… a temporary stay of execution. But this isn't over. Not by a long shot."
He turned to leave, then hesitated, glancing back at her. "And for future reference, Wren? Avoid wearing things you can't explain. Especially crimson Louis Vuitton."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Louisa standing alone in the quiet corridor, more confused and unnerved than ever.
Instead of heading back into the main hallway, a wave of self-consciousness washed over Louisa. The stares, the whispers, the weight of Cassia's fury – it was all too much to bear. With a shaky breath, she veered away from the lockers and slipped into the nearest restroom, the relative quiet offering a momentary sanctuary.
She leaned against the cool tiles, her heart still pounding in her chest. Tears welled in her eyes again, a mixture of shame, fear, and a strange sort of bewildered gratitude towards Jayden. His intervention had been unexpected, a lifeline thrown in a moment of drowning, but his motives remained a confusing mystery.
The mention of Kora and the spilled wine brought a fresh wave of frustration. If it hadn't been for that deliberate act of malice, the dress would likely be back at Spotless Finish, returned to the owner without any explosive confrontation.
The bell rang, its loud peal echoing through the empty halls, signaling the official end of the school day. The usual rush of students eager to escape Charterhouse began, the sounds muffled through the thick bathroom door.
Louisa remained huddled against the wall, the sounds of departure a stark contrast to the turmoil within her. She couldn't face the judgmental eyes again, not yet. She needed a moment to collect herself, to try and make sense of the chaotic events of the day.
After a while, the sounds of students leaving began to subside, replaced by an eerie quiet. Louisa knew she couldn't stay hidden in the bathroom forever, but the thought of facing the outside world, knowing the whispers and stares awaited her, filled her with dread.
Just as she was trying to gather the courage to leave, a soft knock echoed on the bathroom door.
"Louisa? You in there?" It was Ellie's voice, laced with concern.
Relief washed over Louisa. She wasn't alone.
"Yeah," she called out, her voice still shaky. "Just… give me a minute."
A moment later, the door creaked open, and Ellie and Scarlett slipped inside, their faces etched with worry.
"We were so worried!" Ellie exclaimed, rushing to her side. "What did Jayden say? Where did he take you?"
Scarlett's gaze was steady. "Are you okay, Louisa?"