I should've known it wasn't over.
Even after everything.
Even after the fight.
Even after the warning in Austin's voice that could've scared anyone off.
They still came back.
—
The next day, the tension followed me like a shadow.
I felt it in the way people whispered more than usual.
In the way the hallways seemed quieter when I walked through.
In the way Austin didn't leave my side—not even for a second.
"You're doing it again," I said, glancing at him.
"Doing what?"
"Scanning the entire school like you're expecting an attack."
He didn't even deny it. "I am."
I sighed. "Austin—"
"They touched you," he cut in, his voice low. "That changes things."
I went quiet.
Because… he wasn't wrong.
Still—
"You can't fight everyone," I said.
"I don't need to," he replied. "Just them."
Before I could respond—
A voice cut through the hallway.
"Missed me?"
My stomach dropped instantly.
"No way…" I whispered.
We both turned.
And there they were.
Again.
But this time—
They didn't look relaxed.
They didn't look amused.
They looked… serious.
Even the middle guy—his usual smirk was gone, replaced with something colder.
Austin stepped slightly in front of me without thinking.
"You really don't know when to stop," he said.
The guy tilted his head. "We told you. This isn't over."
I crossed my arms, stepping just enough to be seen. "You guys are starting to look obsessed."
One of them scoffed. "You won't be laughing in a minute."
Austin's posture shifted instantly.
"Try it," he said.
The air went tight.
Students nearby started backing away, sensing what was about to happen.
No one wanted to be close to this.
"Last chance," the middle guy said. "Pay what you owe… or we take something in return."
My brows furrowed. "You're still on that? He said he paid you."
The guy's eyes flicked to me.
And something about that look—
I didn't like it.
"At this point," he said slowly, "it's not just about money."
Austin's voice dropped. "Don't."
But it was too late.
The guy smirked faintly.
"It's about leverage."
Silence.
My stomach twisted.
"Leverage?" I repeated.
His gaze didn't leave mine.
"Yeah."
Austin stepped forward instantly. "You're not dragging her into this."
"Too late," the guy replied.
Everything happened fast after that.
Too fast.
One of them suddenly moved toward me—
Grabbing my arm.
I jerked back. "Hey—!"
Austin reacted instantly, shoving him off me.
"Don't touch her!" he snapped.
But now—
They weren't backing down.
Not like before.
Another one stepped in.
Then another.
The hallway erupted into chaos.
Students scattered.
Voices shouted.
And suddenly—
It wasn't just tension anymore.
It was a full fight.
Austin moved fast, blocking, pushing, hitting when he had to.
He stayed close to me—always between me and them.
Always.
"Stay behind me!" he said.
"I am!" I shot back, heart racing.
One of them tried to grab me again—
I shoved him away. "I said BACK OFF!"
But this time—
They were determined.
It wasn't just about scaring us anymore.
They were trying to corner us.
"Austin!" I called out as one of them got too close again.
He turned just in time, grabbing the guy and slamming him back.
"I warned you!" he snapped.
The middle guy stepped in again, anger flashing now. "You think you can protect her forever?"
Austin didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
That answer hit harder than any punch.
Even I felt it.
For a second—
Everything paused.
Then—
A loud whistle cut through the chaos.
"STOP!"
Teachers.
Staff.
Running toward us.
The fight broke apart instantly.
The guys stepped back, breathing hard—but this time, they didn't look defeated.
They looked… satisfied.
And that scared me more.
The middle guy wiped his lip, then looked straight at Austin.
"This isn't done," he said quietly.
Then his eyes shifted to me.
"Not even close."
Before anyone could stop them—
They walked off.
Just like that.
Again.
Leaving behind silence.
And a hundred staring eyes.
My heart was still racing as I looked at Austin. "This is getting out of control…"
He didn't respond immediately.
His chest was rising and falling, his jaw tight, his fists clenched.
Then finally—
"I know."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "What do they mean by 'leverage'?"
He didn't answer.
And that silence?
It said everything.
My stomach dropped.
"Austin…"
His eyes met mine.
Dark.
Serious.
"They're not going to stop," I said.
"No," he replied.
"They're going to keep coming."
"…Yeah."
I swallowed.
"Then what do we do?"
For a moment—
He didn't speak.
Then finally, quieter this time—
"We end it."
A chill ran down my spine.
Because something in his voice told me—
Whatever he was thinking…
It wasn't going to be simple.
And it definitely wasn't going to be safe.
But one thing was clear now—
They came back.
And next time?
It was going to be worse.