Chapter 26

The aftermath of my victorious encounter with Jessica sent shockwaves through the school, igniting a frenzy of chatter and gossip.

Videos capturing the intense clash and the moment I punched her precious face spread like wildfire through group chats and social media.

It was as if the whole student body had become an audience, and I was thrust into the spotlight of their attention.

As I walked through the bustling hallways, the air felt thick with anticipation and judgment.

Others exchanged hushed conversations, their gazes flickering with skepticism and envy. I had become the center of the school drama, a character in a narrative I didn't entirely control.

The rest of the school day felt like it lasted forever. Thankfully, Jessica asked for a few days off school to heal her eye and I didn’t have to face her right away, but the whispers followed me like shadowy companions, their words dissecting my every move.

Friends leaned in closer, their eyes brimming with curiosity and a hint of admiration.

Some of the things I heard were complete lies:

“Shana’s bribed Lucas to train her so that he should defeat Jessica.”

“I heard that Lucas wanted Shana to fight Jessica because she kept asking him to get back together with her.”

“I think Shana and Lucas are dating, and Lucas was sick of her being a wolfless freak so he decided to get her the help that she needs.”

But one of the most ridiculous rumors I heard was that some people were accusing me of pretending to be wolfless in order to gain favor.

The drama was so overwhelming and toxic, I felt like my thoughts were going to consume me.

When the final bell rang for the end of school, I sought refuge from the stares in the familiar routine of watching Lucas's hockey practice.

I still hadn’t seen Lucas all day—or heard anything from him. I wondered if he was aware of what had taken place between Jessica and me.

I doubted that he could’ve evaded all the drama, but I was puzzled as to why he wouldn’t have tried to find me and talk to me about it.

I worried my lip, wondering what his reaction would be once we spoke.

Lucas was against any form of drama. He had told me that himself a few weeks ago. But my fight with Jessica was unavoidable.

For as much as Jessica claims I’m obsessed with Lucas, she appeared to be more infatuated with him than anyone else at Shadow High.

Plus, she had been spying on Lucas and me at our training. She thought that we were together, romantically.

It was all a mess, and now the entire school was making up stories about me that weren’t true.

As I walked into the hockey rink, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and unease. I sat in my normal seat on the bleachers and jumped when the stadium doors opened.

There, I spotted Lucas standing near the entrance, his usual easygoing demeanor overshadowed by a veil of seriousness. Our eyes met, and a flicker of concern danced in his gaze.

"Shana," he called out as he walked over toward me, his voice laden with urgency and worry. "We need to talk."

His words jolted me, freezing me in my tracks. I watched as he sat next to me on the bleachers, looking around to make sure we were away from prying ears and curious eyes.

The tension between us hung heavy in the air, and I couldn't help but wonder what had transpired to unsettle Lucas so deeply.

He looked at me carefully, and it appeared as if he was checking me for any injuries. “Are you hurt?”

“Me?” I asked, touching my jaw unconsciously. “Just a little scratch.”

Lucas pulled out some cotton swabs and adhesive bandages and clumsily helped me with the already dry scratch.

“Did you get those supplies from Nurse Rebecca?”

Lucas merely nodded. Turning back to face him, the weight of unspoken emotions loomed between us. I mustered the courage to break the silence again.

"Lucas, what's wrong? You seem upset."

He exhaled deeply, his eyes momentarily searching the ground before meeting mine again. "It's about the fight with Jessica, Shana. What were you thinking?”

Stunned by his words, my mouth gaped open. “What was I thinking?”

“Yes, what were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that I should defend myself instead of getting beat up in front of the whole school again,” I argued, feeling my fists clench in my lap.

Was he really angry at me for trying to fight for myself?

Confusion clouded my thoughts, and a furrow formed on my brow. "She attacked me first, Lucas. I had no choice but to defend myself."

He frowned, his expression a blend of understanding and concern. "I know, Shana, and I don't

blame you for standing up for yourself. It's just…”

“What?”

“I wish there had been another way, a way that didn't involve this much physical confrontation. Jessica always has her followers around her, and they all have their wolves. If you choose to fight, it’s going to be hard for you to avoid getting hurt.”

His words struck a chord within me, stirring a mix of emotions. If Jessica would’ve come at me again without the students holding the both of us back, I would’ve definitely gotten more than a scratch from her.

The guilt crept in, and I questioned whether I had made the right choices.

I nodded, understanding his point. "I know, Lucas. But it's hard not to react when she pushes all the right buttons."

Lucas sighed.

"And she was spying on us yesterday at training," I revealed, the memory still fresh in my mind. "She confronted me about it and asked if we were... something more."

Lucas's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing in thought. "She was the person you saw hiding behind the wall?"

"Yes, it was her," I confirmed, a hint of annoyance creeping into my voice. "I guess she's trying to figure out what's going on between us." I pointed a finger back and forth between our chests. "She acts like she has some kind of hold over you."

A mixture of surprise and frustration flashed across Lucas's face.

He shook his head, his voice filled with disbelief. "She's been this way since we broke up. Shana, you can't let her words and taunts get into your head. Can't you see this is what she wants? She wants to get under your skin, to create a rift between us."

His words resonated with me, a gentle reminder of the power I held to rise above drama and manipulation. I took a deep breath, grounding myself in his unwavering support.

"I understand your perspective, Lucas," I replied, my voice tinged with remorse. "But in that moment, I felt like I couldn't let her continue to belittle and harm me. I needed to show her that I won't be a victim anymore."

He nodded slowly, his gaze softening with empathy. "I know, Shana, and I don't blame you for defending yourself. I worry, though, about the consequences of this escalation. It could spiral out of control, leading to more conflicts and hurt."

His genuine concern touched my heart, reminding me of the bond we shared and his unwavering support. "I appreciate your concern, Lucas. I never intended for things to escalate this way. But I won't let fear dictate my actions. I won't allow myself to be silenced anymore."

A brief pause hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Our friendship stood at a crossroads, its path forward uncertain and precarious.