I got to school early. The sky dim as if it were a flickering light, the inside of the building barely enough barrier between us and the cold. I was expecting snow, although I had absolutely no idea when it would appear. However, I wasn't as excited for snow as I was for the ice. I couldn't wait to skate.

I heaved a breath, staring as it disappeared into the air. So close to winter, it was coming along late this year.

I rubbed my hands together and headed inside, it was pretty desolate. Students didn't usually come until five minutes before the bell, or five minutes after, more or less. I was on my phone for a while before I caught a shuffling movement out of the corner of my eye. It was pretty obvious he was trying to avoid me.

"Hey." I said loudly, my voice echoing across the hall. Gil froze uneasily, stifling. He gave me a quick glance before shaking his head and going back to what he was doing, ignoring me. Hey, he doesn't get to do that. After what he did to Booke-ahem, what he did to me, he doesn't deserve that. Yeah, the history we've had is pretty rocky, not going to lie.

"Matten." I repeated, pocketing my phone. He looked as if he were about to burst.

"What?" His voice shook. "What do you want from me now huh? I'm done with your shenanigans. Just leave me alone."

My reputation inside of me seemed to bubble up to the surface.

"You better play nice."

"Huh?" He hesitated, not expecting that.

"You heard me."

Silence, no response.

"You know, your stone-cold attitude is the reason you don't have any friends."

Like a match, he flickered to life, expression scrunched with rage.

"No. It's you, you took them all away from me! You're the only reason! The reason I'm-like this-" he choked on his words, "and just look what you did to Lukas-! You stupid, hotheaded-"

I pushed him against the locker in two seconds flat. I breathed slowly, cooling myself, hand gripping his shirt. Hm, maybe I should come up with some new moves.

"I think you forget who you're talking to." I pushed him aside, watching him stumble. I didn't know what angered me more.

"See? You're just that." He was out of breath, but managed a small smirk. "A monster."

"Perhaps," I shrugged, making his expression fade. I stared at him intently, "but I'm not the only one around here."

*"*"*"*"*"*"*"*"*

Of course I had to go and worsen things with Matten, all because stupid me had to try and make things better between him and Booke. I pinched the bridge of my nose as the bell rang for lunch. I had been so occupied that I hadn't realized how quickly the day had passed. I grabbed my bag and was on my way to the entrance to the rooftop, but a handful of screams and shouts echoed from another part of school, grabbing my attention.

Two girls rushed past me, chittering eagerly and hastily.

"I heard there's a fight going on in the cafeteria!"

I raised an eyebrow. Fight? Interesting. But between who?

They suddenly stopped, one pulling out her phone and going to a website, speaking rapidly, trying to show her friend.

"See, look! I think Aiden's got a bone to pick with that new kid-"

I froze on the spot. Oh Notch. What the hell has Booke gotten himself into? I was so caught up today thinking about what had happened with Matten this morning I neglected everything that was going on. What on earth did I miss?

"Hey, you two." I walked up, unknowingly sneaking up behind them. They both shrieked and whipped around to face me, gulping. I guess I had on a pretty scary look on my face because one of them whimpered. "What's going on?"

The one on my left, a petite girl with light brown hair-the one holding the phone-answered first.

"Oh, uh Jesse-you didn't know? It's on the blog-" I gave her the stink eye, and she shook her head nervously, "-I mean, they just posted an article-"

I snatched her phone away from her grasp, eyes scrolling over the article intently. I didn't check Blockwest High Blog that often as others did, so it was obvious why I wasn't exactly caught up.

Blockwest High Blog

Newest: Rising Tensions!

Likes: pending...

Aiden Flint takes a new target? Lukas Booke becomes even more popular after encounters with not just Jesse Lynn...click here to read more.

Once glance at the title and I was absolutely furious. Aiden's always been a prick, what's he up to now? I suppressed a growl and gave the phone back to the girl, who fumbled over it before it could clatter to the ground. I picked up the pace and speed-walked to the cafeteria.

"Look, Jesse's coming to see the fight!"

"Is she coming to take part?"

"Shush! She can hear you!"

I ignored their obnoxious whispers, running a shaky hand through my hair to push it out of my face. I had to get there, now.

My lips trembled, and I felt weird, like I was, worried? Or something? That's crazy. I haven't felt that in a long time.

I got to the cafeteria quickly, following the increasing noise and the shouts of the growing crowd. When I get my hands on that idiot...

"Get out of the way." I demanded through gritted teeth. The crowd parted immediately for me, scared for the most part. I could barely see what was happening, and that's what I was afraid of.

I made my way to the center ring, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Aiden held Booke in some sort of chokehold, the blond scrabbling weakly at his grip. He was covered in a wild assortment of bruises, and his right cheek bloomed purple. The students screamed, cheering him on. Aiden grinned wickedly like this was some sort of game, feeding the crowd.

What in the world was this. And no, it wasn't exactly a question.

"Ah, Jesse! You're just in time!" Aiden caught me in his sights, and the students put their eyes on me. I clenched my fists.

"What the hell is going on here?" Booke's eyes widened, he let out a raspy gasp as Aiden loosened his grip, but only a little. I tried not to make eye contact, but my heart was tugging itself hard. Get off him.

"I think it's about time he learn his lesson for pissing you off, so I've set up this whole thing just for you!"

What? I felt my face scrunch angrily. My body went cold, fingers numb.

Aiden released his grip, and Booke crumbled to the floor, coughing wildly on his knees. I had to restrain myself from reaching out.

"Well, go ahead." He smirked, gesturing. "Do your worst."

I didn't know what to do. I stared down at him, clenching my fists tighter to keep them from trembling. He was wiping some blood off his face with his sleeve, breathing heavily.

And yet he still looked up. He looked up at me. His expression, it was something I couldn't read.

This was how it was. Me on the top, him down below. Another reminder. The crowd began to chant, synchronizing their shouts. He didn't say anything.

"Do it! Do it! Do it!"

Aiden suddenly grabbed him by the tufts of his hair, pulling him up painfully. Booke groaned, wincing.

"Hey, what are you-" I snapped out of my trance. Aiden yet again put him in another choke hold, facing him towards me.

"You can do the honors." He was gesturing for me to hit him. He wanted me to hit Booke.

He was enjoying this.

Booke's eyes met mine. And discreetly, his mouth moved to form words.

Do it.

I grit my teeth, why did that make me even angrier? He kept looking at me, never letting down his gaze, trying desperately to breathe. I could practically hear him talking. Just get it over with.

Eyes on me, cheering, looming over. Aiden smiled satisfactorily, waiting for me to make a move.

The old me would have done it in an instant. Would've gotten glory in the opportunity for fame. Now, I could feel unease embracing me like a thick blanket. If I didn't do it, the whole school would ridicule me, call me out for being weak. They would think I'm protecting him. But if I did, I would please them. Keep up my reputation. And Booke...I had no idea what he'd do.

Goddammit Aiden, goddammit school, goddammit Booke.

I shut my eyes, the noise muffled. I tightened my fist, and threw my punch.

Hi everyone! Hope you all are doing good, happy 2020! This is my first update of the year, and I'm pretty happy with it. It doesn't seem longer, but it's longer than previous chapter sooo—

Sorry to leave you on that cliffhanger, but I promise the next chapter will come out really soon! ;) I hope you enjoyed this one.

Anyways, I want to give a huge THANK YOU!!! Again, since we've officially hit one thousand votes! That is absolutely crazy! And also, fifteen thousand views! Wow, I seriously cannot believe how much this book blew up.

I love you all, and I sincerely appreciate everything, all the support is incredible.

Fun fact: I've been writing this on google docs. Chapters 1-22 are 55 pages in total, chapters 23-34 are 35 pages, and chapters 36-38 (currently writing on) are 12 pages. That's over 100 pages! (Font size is 12 pt., everything is 1.15 spaced)

I've come a long way, and I've put in a lot of work and effort, so I'm glad it's being paid off.

Oh, and I want to give a quick shoutout to Purple_Ninja_101 , my best friend and one of the most amazing people I've ever met. She's one of my inspirations and motivation, so please wish her a happy birthday! I owe her a lot :) it'd mean a lot to me too.

As always, thanks for reading! I'll see you guys later!