After that day, things didn't go back to normal.
They got worse.
Austin barely let me out of his sight at school, and when he had to, he made sure someone was nearby. At first, I thought he was overreacting…
Now?
I understood.
Because those guys hadn't stopped.
They were just waiting.
And somehow—
They found their moment.
—
It happened two days later.
I had stayed back after class to grab something I forgot, thinking it would only take a minute.
Big mistake.
By the time I stepped out into the hallway, it was almost empty.
Too empty.
I froze slightly.
"…Not again."
Footsteps.
Slow.
Deliberate.
I didn't even have to turn around this time.
"I was hoping I'd catch you alone."
My stomach dropped.
I turned.
Him.
The middle guy.
And the others weren't far behind.
I stepped back immediately. "You really don't learn, do you?"
He smirked, walking closer. "Oh, I learn fast."
I tried to move past him—
But he blocked me.
Again.
"Move," I said, my voice firm.
"Not yet."
I turned the other way.
Another one stepped in.
Cornered.
My heart started racing.
"Okay," I said slowly. "You've officially crossed into annoying territory."
He laughed softly. "You're still talking."
"And you're still in my way."
His expression shifted slightly—less amused now.
More focused.
"I told you before," he said, stepping closer. "I like that about you."
I frowned. "Yeah… that's not mutual."
Before I could react—
His hand grabbed my wrist.
I tried to pull away immediately. "Let go."
Instead, he pulled me closer.
"Relax," he murmured.
"Don't tell me to relax," I snapped, struggling. "Let me go!"
The others just stood there.
Watching.
Not helping.
Not stopping him.
And then—
Before I could move—
He grabbed my chin and forced my face toward his—
And kissed me.
Hard.
Forceful.
Wrong.
My mind went blank for half a second—
Then snapped back.
I pushed against him instantly, trying to break free. "Get off me—!"
But his grip tightened.
"I said I liked you," he muttered.
That's when anger hit.
Sharp.
Burning.
I shoved him with everything I had—
And this time, he stumbled back.
"Don't you EVER touch me like that again!" I snapped, my voice shaking with fury.
His smirk returned slightly. "You're even better up close."
Before I could respond—
A fist slammed into his face.
Hard.
He hit the ground.
Austin.
He stood there, breathing hard, his eyes dark with pure rage.
"I warned you."
The air shifted instantly.
The other guys stepped back.
Even they could tell—
This was different.
Austin grabbed the guy by his shirt and yanked him up just enough to land another punch.
"And you still touched her?" he snapped.
"Austin—" I started, but he didn't hear me.
Or maybe he did—
And just didn't care.
The guy tried to fight back, but Austin was faster.
Angrier.
Every hit was controlled—but heavy.
Final.
"Don't," punch, "touch," punch, "her," punch, "again."
The hallway echoed with the impact.
"Okay—okay!" one of the others shouted. "That's enough!"
Austin shoved him back to the ground.
"Next time," he said coldly, "you won't get up."
Silence.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Then, one by one, the others grabbed their friend and backed away.
Fast.
No threats this time.
No smirks.
Just retreat.
Austin stood there for a second longer, making sure they were gone.
Then he turned to me.
And everything about him changed.
The anger didn't disappear—but it softened.
Shifted.
"Are you okay?" he asked, stepping closer quickly.
I nodded, even though I was still shaken. "I'm fine…"
His eyes searched my face.
Then dropped to my lips.
His jaw tightened again.
"Come here," he said, gently taking my hand.
He led me to a nearby sink in an empty classroom.
I didn't argue.
Didn't speak.
He turned on the tap, grabbing a clean bottle and filling it with water.
"Rinse," he said softly.
I did.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
Like I was trying to erase what just happened.
He watched the whole time, his expression still tense.
When I finished, I wiped my mouth slightly, exhaling.
"I'm okay," I said again.
But this time—
He didn't answer.
Instead, his hand lifted, brushing lightly against my cheek.
"Look at me," he said quietly.
I did.
And before I could say anything—
He kissed me.
Slow at first.
Then deeper.
Not rushed.
Not angry.
Just… intense.
Like he was trying to replace what happened.
Erase it.
My fingers tightened slightly against his shirt as I leaned into him, letting myself feel it… letting it ground me.
He pulled me closer, his grip firm but careful, like he didn't want to hurt me.
But didn't want to let go either.
The kiss deepened—
Lingering.
Unspoken things passing between us.
Time blurred.
Everything else faded.
Until finally—
We pulled apart.
Breathing uneven.
Foreheads almost touching.
His thumb brushed lightly over my lip, his voice low.
"They don't get to touch you."
My heart skipped.
"Only you?" I asked softly, a small hint of teasing breaking through.
His gaze darkened slightly.
"Only me."
I should've rolled my eyes.
Said something sarcastic.
But instead…
I just looked at him.
And for once—
I didn't argue.
Because after everything that just happened…
I didn't feel like joking anymore.
I felt something else.
Something stronger.
Something deeper.
And maybe a little dangerous.
Because now—
This wasn't just about protection.
Or fights.
Or threats.
Now it was personal.
And whatever this had turned into—
There was no going back.