Chapter 4

“Jane, are you okay?” Bell asked as we walked into the campus.

“I’m fine,” I replied, giving a faint smile.

“Why do you look like you lost a fight in the kitchen?” he added, clearly trying to tease me. I smiled, but my mind drifted to what had happened at home earlier the breakfast, the hug with Joe, and the bracelet he left me. It felt like something was missing, and I was still a little lonely.

As we entered the school, I put my things in my locker.

“Bell, wait” I called out, but noticed he was no longer beside me. I was surprised.

I searched for him in the canteen, our classroom, even the library but he was nowhere to be found. Worry flickered in me for a moment.

I stepped outside the building, and there, in the middle of the campus, I finally saw him. But he wasn’t alone he was surrounded by four of the school’s most popular guys, the same five boys who always drew everyone’s attention before…

Seeing them, my smile instantly faded, replaced by a scowl as my eyebrows shot up.

I approached Bell, but he was standing in front of the four boys, surrounded by girls squealing in excitement. I called his name, but it seemed he didn’t hear me the crowd and the noise were overwhelming.

Suddenly, in the chaos, Bell was accidentally shoved by an unknown girl. In an unexpected turn, one of the four boys got spilled with coffee.

“Oh no! I’m so sorry!” Bell shouted, stepping back to apologize.

For a few seconds, the campus noise completely stopped everyone froze, staring at what had happened. The laughter and shouting were replaced by stunned silence.

The boy who got coffee took two steps forward, clearly angry even as he tried to hide it. Bell remained bent over, continuing to apologize, her body trembling.

My eyes widened at the scene. I couldn’t just let him hurt Bell. I pushed past two girls blocking my way to get through.

“Let her go! You’re a grown man, and you’re hurting a girl? What kind of man are you? Are you gay or something?” I shouted, my voice full of anger and defense for my friend.

The coffee-covered boy turned his gaze, clearly surprised by the sudden confrontation.

“You’re only bold because you’re a girl, huh? Is this the kind of person you all admire?” he mocked, stepping closer as if to punch me.

But before he could throw the punch, a strong arm suddenly blocked him, gripping his wrist. He froze, startled by the unexpected obstruction.

He lowered his hand, staring at the guy holding him. Then, turning away from me, he said in a cold voice, “This isn’t over yet.” With that, he left along with the other three boys.

The boy I had accidentally bumped tapped my shoulder

 as a silent goodbye before walking away.

I immediately rushed to Bell, checking her arm. “Bell, are you okay?” I asked, my voice trembling with worry.

We were at the clinic, treating the bruise on her arm. The place was quiet, the only sounds coming from the soft whir of the electric fan and the nurse’s movements. The nurse carefully held Bell’s arm, cleaning it and gently applying a cold ointment.

“This might swell a little,” the nurse said, wrapping her arm. “Try not to move it too much, and apply a cold compress later.”

Bell grimaced, trying to hide the pain, her eyes squeezing shut. I held her other hand, feeling her fingers tremble slightly with each touch of the nurse.

A few minutes later, the clinic door suddenly opened. Everyone turned to look.

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