Chapter 4: The Rumors

The accident spread through Westbridge High faster than wildfire.

By the next morning, everyone had a different version of the story.

"Did you hear? Jason Blake saved Lily Carter."

"No way. He probably pushed her in front of it."

"I heard he carried her out of the auditorium."

"They looked pretty close."

Lily ignored every whisper as she made her way to her locker. She had learned long ago that rumors had a life of their own.

She twisted the combination lock, but before she could open it, someone leaned against the locker beside hers.

"Morning."

She didn't need to look up.

Jason.

"What do you want?" she asked flatly.

He shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Just checking if you're okay."

Lily finally turned to face him, her expression unreadable.

"You embarrassed me in front of the entire school yesterday."

Jason looked away.

"I know."

"You made me think someone actually wanted to talk to me."

"I know."

"You laughed while everyone humiliated me."

His jaw tightened.

"I know."

Lily closed her locker with a loud clang.

"So why are you here?"

For the first time since she'd known him, Jason didn't have a sarcastic answer.

Instead, he quietly said, "Because I can't stop thinking about what almost happened."

Lily studied him for a moment.

"If that light hadn't fallen..."

He didn't finish.

"It did," Lily interrupted. "And we're both alive."

She walked away before he could say another word.

Jason watched her leave, feeling something unfamiliar settle in his chest.

Regret.

---

At lunch, Lily sat with Emily beneath the oak tree.

Emily raised an eyebrow.

"So... Jason talked to you?"

Lily nodded.

"He apologized?"

"No."

"He asked if I was okay."

Emily nearly dropped her sandwich.

"Jason Blake asked if you were okay?"

"I don't know what's going on."

Emily looked toward the basketball court, where Jason was practicing.

"Whatever it is, don't let your guard down."

Lily followed her gaze.

"I won't."

But a tiny voice in the back of her mind wondered if the boy she hated was starting to hate himself.

---

After school, Jason was packing his gym bag when Mason walked into the locker room.

"You've been distracted all day."

Jason zipped his bag without answering.

Mason smirked.

"Don't tell me you're actually feeling guilty."

Jason stopped moving.

"I almost got her killed."

"You didn't."

"But it happened because of me."

Mason's smile disappeared.

"You've picked on her for years."

Jason sighed.

"I know."

"So why does it bother you now?"

Jason didn't have an answer.

---

Meanwhile, Lily stayed late in the library to replace the chemistry notes that had been ruined.

The library was nearly empty by the time she finished.

As she packed her bag, the lights suddenly flickered.

A loud clap of thunder echoed outside.

Rain poured against the windows.

"Perfect," she muttered.

She had forgotten her umbrella.

The school corridors were almost deserted as she headed toward the main entrance.

Just as she reached the doors, she heard footsteps behind her.

She turned.

Jason stood there, holding a black umbrella.

"I'll give you a ride home."

Lily stared at him.

Then she laughed.

A short, disbelieving laugh.

"I'd rather walk in the rain."

She stepped outside into the storm without another word.

Jason watched her disappear into the heavy downpour.

For a moment, he stood frozen.

Then, without thinking, he ran after her.

Neither of them noticed the black SUV parked across the street.

Inside, a middle-aged man watched them silently.

He lowered a photograph of Lily and Jason, then made a phone call.

"I've found them," he said.

"It's time."

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