Chapter 2

"That's enough! Both of you!"

Mr. Davies's voice boomed through the art room, cutting through the chaos. He and two other students pulled a sputtering Ethan off me. My lip was split, and a warm trickle of blood ran down my chin.

We were hauled to the principal's office, a sterile, beige room that smelled of floor wax and disappointment. Nicole followed, her face a mask of practiced concern.

"I can't believe you, Caleb," she whispered, loud enough for the secretary to hear. "Ethan didn't do anything."

The old me would have stayed silent. The old me would have taken the blame, apologized, and tried to smooth things over to protect her.

The new me was done with that.

Principal Thompson sat behind his large desk, his face grim. "Mr. Fowler, care to explain why you assaulted Mr. Lester in the middle of class?"

I took a shaky breath, tasting blood. I looked at Nicole, then at Ethan, who was glaring at me with pure hatred.

"I'm sorry, sir," I began, my voice deliberately unsteady. "I just... I lost my temper. I saw Ethan in the hallway before class, he was grabbing Nicole's arm... she looked upset. He was being really aggressive. I told him to back off, and I guess I just... snapped when I saw them together again."

Nicole' s eyes widened. "What? That's not true!"

Ethan scoffed. "He's lying! We were just talking."

"Were you?" I pressed, looking directly at Principal Thompson. "I saw you two last weekend, too. Behind the bleachers after the game. It looked pretty serious."

I was bluffing, but I knew their patterns. I knew their spots.

A flicker of panic crossed Nicole's face. Ethan' s went rigid.

Principal Thompson' s eyes narrowed. He knew Ethan's reputation. He also knew Ethan's father, a man who prized his family's public image above all else. A scandal involving the star quarterback and the daughter of another wealthy family was the last thing anyone wanted.

"Is this true, Nicole?" the principal asked, his tone shifting.

Nicole hesitated for a fraction of a second too long. "No! He's making it up to get out of trouble!"

But the seed was planted. The doubt was there.

The office door swung open and in stormed Ethan' s father, a man built like a bulldog with a temper to match. He'd clearly been called immediately.

"What is this I hear about a fight? And what's this nonsense about you harassing a girl?" he roared, his eyes fixed on Ethan.

Ethan paled. "Dad, it's not what it looks like. He's lying."

"I don't care! You know the rules. You represent this school, this family! Any trouble, and you're done. You're grounded. Indefinitely. I'll be speaking with your coach."

Mr. Lester didn't even glance at me. He grabbed Ethan by the arm and practically dragged him out of the office.

Nicole stood there, stunned.

Principal Thompson sighed, rubbing his temples. "Caleb, while I don't condone violence, given the... circumstances, I'm letting you off with a warning. But I don't want to see you in my office again. Nicole, you can go."

She shot me a look of pure venom before turning and walking out.

I sat there for a moment, the adrenaline fading, replaced by a cold, hard resolve.

Phase one was complete.