Chapter Five: Confrontation

Anna's POV

The next day, I step onto campus, feeling a rare calmness in the air. The scent of freshly mown grass, the hum of students milling around—everything feels normal. Until the calm is shattered in an instant.

As I approached the main quad, I saw them—Jessica and her usual group of cheerleader friends, standing together in a tight cluster. Jessica’s icy smile greeted me before I could even get close, her eyes gleaming with a mix of triumph and challenge. The other cheerleaders were gathered around her, snickering softly, their eyes glancing between Jessica and me with amusement. They were waiting for this moment, the tension crackling in the air. I could feel it.

Before I could turn around and change direction, Jessica called out to me, her voice cutting through the air. “Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Perfect herself. You seem to be in quite a rush to avoid me.”

I froze in my tracks. I’d been hoping for a peaceful walk to class, but I knew better than to think Jessica would let me off the hook so easily. With a deep breath, I turned to face her.

Jessica stepped forward, her cheerleaders following suit, forming a semi-circle around me like a pack of wolves closing in on their prey. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, her perfectly put-together outfit making it clear that Jessica was still in full control of the situation. Her gaze was cold, but there was something else in her eyes—something a little more calculating, like she was about to deliver a knockout punch.

"You know," Jessica began, her voice casual but laced with venom, "I don't really understand why you're still so upset. I mean, I don't feel an ounce of guilt for that kiss at the hockey game." Her eyes gleamed with arrogance as she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just enough so that I would hear every word. "Honestly, I don't even think Carter cared about you that much. You were just... someone to pass the time with."

Jessica took a step closer, as if to seal the deal. "He never really wanted you, Anna," she continued, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "He was just waiting for the right moment to remember who he truly loved. And that’s me. Carter and I are meant to be, always have been. You were just a placeholder. But hey, at least you can take comfort in knowing that you didn’t lose him because of anything you did... You lost him because he finally woke up and realized who he really wanted."

I squared my shoulders. "You and Carter deserve each other," I said, my voice firm and steady. "You’re both exactly what I thought you were—manipulative, selfish, and just looking for the next thrill. But I don’t care anymore, Jessica. You can have him."

Jessica’s smile faltered, just for a moment. It was a small c***k in the façade, but I noticed it. There was something almost uncertain in her eyes, something that made me wonder if Jessica had expected me to crumble under the weight of her words. Instead, I felt a surge of strength rising within me. I wasn’t going to cry over Carter. I wasn’t going to let Jessica think she had any power over me.

The cheerleaders were dead silent now, their eyes flicking between us, waiting for someone to say something, to break the tense silence. But neither of us spoke.

Instead, I took one final glance at Jessica, her words hanging in the air like a final punch.

"I’m done with both of you," I said, turning to walk away, my heart pounding in my chest, but my steps steady.

As I moved forward, my mind began to race. The confrontation with Jessica had been intense, but in a way, it had been freeing. I was letting go. I was walking away, no longer weighed down by Carter or by Jessica’s cruel games. But as my foot hit the pavement, ready to continue to my class, I wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

Out of nowhere, my foot was swept out from under me. My body lurched forward, and before I could catch myself, my balance was gone. The ground seemed to rise up to meet me as I stumbled, my arms flailing to regain control.

The laughter from Jessica and her friends rang out in my ears. But just before I hit the ground, a pair of strong hands gripped my waist, pulling me upright and steadying me.

I looked up, surprised, my breath still catching in my throat. To my relief, it wasn’t one of Jessica’s friends winding up for an encore. No, it was someone else entirely.

“Careful there,” a familiar voice said, his tone warm but with a hint of amusement. “Don’t want to faceplant the floor before your next lecture.”

My eyes met Marcus McKay’s. He was standing close to me now, his hands still on my arms as if making sure I wouldn’t topple over again. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, and his sharp features softened into a smile that was both genuine and slightly teasing.

“I—” I blinked, trying to regain my composure. “Thank you. I didn’t see that coming.”

Marcus chuckled softly, his smile never fading. “I saw the brunette with the floppy ears sticking out a foot. I wasn’t about to let you have a faceplant on campus.”

I giggled and then felt a blush creep into my cheeks, but I quickly pushed it aside. I wasn’t going to blush, not in front of him. Not after everything that had just happened.

"Seriously, though," Marcus continued, his smile shifting into something a little more sincere, "are you okay?"

I took a deep breath, straightening up. For the first time that day, I felt a weight lifting off my chest. "Yeah," I said, meeting his eyes. "I’m fine. Thank you."

He gave me a playful grin. “Anytime.”

With that, Marcus let go of me, and I gave him a small nod of gratitude before watching him turn and walk over to a group of guys dressed for hockey practice.

I glanced back towards Jessica and her friends, who were all looking on in shocked confusion. I didn't miss the way Jessica eyed Marcus herself as he and his friends disappeared behind the gymnasium building. Turning on my heels and trying to walk away, I groaned when Jessica called out my name one more.

"Anna! Don't think this is over!" Jessica shouted. But I just ignored her as I continued my walk to class. My legs still felt a little shaky from everything that had happened, but as I walked away from Jessica and her group of cheerleaders, and as Marcus’s smile lingered in my mind, I couldn’t help but feel like something was finally starting to change.