You don't need to watch me from a far my rabbit

“Don’t walk away from me, Jazlyn!”

The crowd turned. Adrian strode across the court, eyes blazing. Camille hurried after him, feigning concern.

Jazlyn faced him with calm eyes. “What now?”

Adrian laughed sharply. “What now? You think you can just embarrass me like that and walk off?”

“I didn’t embarrass you,” she said. “You did that all on your own.”

The mocking laughter stopped. He stepped closer, the rage behind his smile barely contained.

“Eight years, Jazlyn.” His tone dropped low. “Eight years you followed me around like a lost dog. High school, college—everywhere I went, there you were.”

Murmurs ran through the crowd. Jane froze beside her.

Adrian’s voice grew louder. “Eight years of chasing me. And I—” he smirked bitterly “—I was stupid enough to believe you were worth a damn. But now?” He leaned closer, eyes cruel. “Now I finally realized you were nothing but trash”

The words hit harder than she expected, though she didn’t flinch. The old Jazlyn would have cried; the new one only stared back, voice steady.

“You’re right,” she said quietly. “You did waste eight years. That’s on you.”

The crowd gasped.

Camille rushed forward, grasping Adrian’s arm. “Adrian, stop, please. She doesn’t mean it.” Then she turned to Jazlyn with a trembling smile.

“Jaz, don’t be mad at him. He’s just upset.”

Jazlyn’s jaw tightened. “Camille, don’t—”

“No, listen!” Camille stepped closer, voice sweet and shaking.

“Jaz, about the water earlier… I was really thirsty. Adrian just told you to help because I felt faint. I’m sorry if it made you angry.” She reached out, clutching Jazlyn’s hand dramatically.

“If you’re going to be mad, be mad at me, not Adrian. I don’t want to ruin your relationship because of me.”

Gasps rippled again. Jazlyn froze, realizing exactly what Camille was doing. Before she could pull away, Camille stumbled back suddenly, clutching her shoulder as if she’d been shoved.

“Jazlyn!” Camille cried, tears glistening.

“I know you’re angry, but you didn’t have to push me!”

“I didn’t push you,” Jazlyn said flatly, but Camille’s trembling voice was already louder than hers.

“I deserve it, I know,” Camille sobbed.

“But we’re friends, right? I’d never try to take Adrian from you.”

The crowd erupted in whispers.

Adrian’s face darkened. “Jazlyn!”

“I didn’t—”

He cut her off, pointing a furious finger. “You really are pathetic. Can’t even handle rejection without hurting people?”

“I didn’t touch her!” Jazlyn snapped, but Adrian had already grabbed her arm and shoved her back.

She staggered—then felt strong hands catch her from behind.

Sebastian.

He pulled her upright with a steady grip, eyes locked on Adrian.

“That’s enough,” he said quietly.

Adrian laughed. “And here comes the hero again. What’s your deal, nerd? Think she’ll fall for you because you play bodyguard?”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, but his tone stayed calm. “You should apologize to her.”

“Apologize?” Adrian barked a laugh.

“She should be the one kneeling and begging Camille’s forgiveness!” He looked back at Jazlyn, venom in his eyes.

“Go on, Jazlyn. Kneel. Maybe then we’ll forgive you for that little show.”

Jazlyn glared, but before she could speak, Sebastian stepped forward.

“She’s not kneeling to anyone.”

Adrian’s smirk faded. “What did you just say?”

Sebastian’s voice dropped an octave, low and dangerous. “I said, she’s not kneeling.”

Adrian’s fist shot out, but Sebastian caught it mid-swing. The next moment was a blur—Sebastian’s punch landed square on Adrian’s jaw.

A sharp gasp swept the crowd. Adrian stumbled backward, clutching his face.

“Sebastian!” Jane shouted.

“Enough!” The basketball coach’s shout boomed across the court as he pushed through the students.

“What’s going on here?”

Camille hurried to Adrian, pretending to cry. “Coach, he hit Adrian first!”

Sebastian straightened, breathing evenly. “He pushed her.”

“Both of you, my office. Now,” the coach ordered. He turned to the students.

“Everyone else, clear out!”

The crowd scattered, whispering furiously. Jane grabbed Jazlyn’s hand. “Are you okay?”

Jazlyn nodded absently, eyes fixed on Sebastian’s knuckles—red and scraped.

When the coach pulled Adrian and Sebastian away, Camille followed dramatically, fussing over Adrian.

Jazlyn stood frozen until Jane touched her arm. “Let’s go, Jaz.”

But Jazlyn shook her head. “I need a minute.”

She slipped out of sight, heading toward the quiet garden behind the gym. Minutes later, Sebastian appeared, rubbing his hand.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said without looking at her.

“I wanted to,” she answered softly.

He exhaled. “You’re going to get in trouble too.”

“Maybe.” She stepped closer, taking his hand gently. “Let me see.”

He tried to pull back, but she tightened her grip. “Please.”

He sighed and let her inspect the bruise. She took out a small packet from her pocket and pressed a rabbit-printed band-aid over the scrape.

Sebastian blinked. “A rabbit ?”

“It’s my favorite,” she said, smiling faintly. “Besides, it suits you.”

He snorted. “How does a rabbit suit me?”

“You fight fast and disappear just as quick,” she said.

“And you saved me.”

His eyes softened, curiosity flickering. “You talk like we’ve met before.”

She smiled, hiding the ache in her chest. “Maybe in another life.”

He looked at her for a long moment before whispering, “You’re strange, Jazlyn Mercado.”

“Strange,” she echoed.

“But memorable.”

She dropped his hand gently. “Next time someone tries to hurt you… let me handle it.”

Sebastian tilted his head, half amused, half intrigued. “You?”

“Me,” she said firmly.

“I’m done being weak.” then left

“Interesting.” her last said that makes me smile you dont need to watch me from a far from now on let me be your side my rabbit

She smiled back, turning toward the garden path, her heart beating fast. For the first time in her second life, she felt it again—the promise she made before dying.

They destroyed me once. This time, I’ll make them pay—and protect the only person who ever tried to save me.

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