Chapter 4: Birthday Wishes and Blurred Lines

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she looked away. That was all the confirmation I needed.

I made up my mind instantly. “Alright, whatever the next quests are, I’ll help you!”

I straightened my shoulders, ready to face whatever came next. Caleb wasn’t going to die on my watch.

Finally, the day Riley Bennett showed up arrived. At the front of the classroom, a quiet, delicate girl with a low ponytail introduced herself. Marisol said Riley was pretty pitiful. Her parents had died, she lived with her uncle’s family, always walking on eggshells. She’d been bullied at her last school, and her uncle just wanted her out of the way.

She looked so small up there, clutching her backpack straps like they were a lifeline. Like a bird about to bolt. I felt a pang of sympathy.

Sure enough, Riley was assigned as Caleb’s desk mate. With good grades and similar backgrounds, they hit it off. And just like that, Caleb and I went back to being distant—like that confession and those weird moments had never happened.

It was like someone flipped a switch, and we were back to square one. Caleb barely looked at me, and I tried not to care, but it stung more than I expected.

Eventually, I let it go. After all, I’m just the mean girl sidekick. How could I expect the main guy to like me once the real main girl showed up?

I tried to laugh it off, but every time I saw Caleb and Riley together, something twisted in my chest. I reminded myself of my role, but it didn’t help.

Most days after school, I kept an eye on Riley for Marisol, since she was the biggest obstacle to her winning over Caleb. Not that I was jealous. Or anything.

But one day, I saw Riley being dragged into an alley by a girl with bleached hair and a bad attitude. Her hair was yanked, her head pressed against the wall. Without thinking, I rushed in.

The alley stank of cigarettes and spilled beer, the kind of place you’d avoid after dark. Figures. I didn’t even hesitate. I barreled in, adrenaline surging.

The girl blew smoke and looked me over. “You think you’re tough, bringing backup?” She kicked Riley in the leg.

Her voice was pure venom. I glared back, refusing to back down. Riley whimpered, and I felt my fists clench.

I’d practiced Taekwondo since I was little—handling her was no problem. Or so I thought. But then she whistled, and several rough-looking guys showed up at the alley entrance—big, bad news.

My confidence faltered as the alley filled with shadows. These guys looked like they belonged in a biker gang, not a high school drama.

She wrapped her arm around one of them, showing off. I backed up, shielding Riley, and whispered for her to call 911. Still playing the mean girl, I bluffed, “Do you know who my family is?”

I tried to sound tough, but my voice wavered. Riley fumbled for her phone, hands shaking.

But at that point, it didn’t matter. Someone grabbed my arm, yanking me hard.

I twisted, trying to break free, but his grip was like iron. My heart hammered in my chest.

“Look at this, a little lost lamb. Let’s have some fun tonight!”

He leered at me, and I felt bile rise in my throat. The world narrowed to the glint of his knife and the mocking laughter of the others.

The alley was narrow, barely any light. I struggled. Suddenly, I saw a flash—a guy with spiked hair pulled a knife, grinning. He came close, saying gross things. Cold sweat ran down my back. My head pounded, ears rang, I couldn’t breathe. It felt like this had happened before…

Panic clawed at my chest. The déjà vu was overwhelming, like I was reliving a nightmare I couldn’t wake from.

But before he could touch me, someone kicked him hard into the wall.

A blur of motion, a shout, and the guy went flying. I blinked, disoriented, trying to process what just happened.

I looked up in shock and met Caleb’s bloodshot eyes.

He was wild, hair disheveled, fists clenched. I’d never seen him like this—like he was ready to tear the world apart for me.

What I saw flipped everything I thought I knew. Model student Caleb was actually fighting—fiercely, like he didn’t care about himself, like he had some deep grudge against these guys. I’d known Caleb for years, but realized I never really understood him.

His movements were sharp, efficient—nothing like the quiet boy I thought I knew. He fought like he had nothing left to lose.

I once asked Marisol what kind of person he was. She said, “Calm and reserved, old soul—probably because of everything he’s been through.” She also whispered, “I used to imagine, if he ever went crazy for someone, it’d be hot~”

I remembered Marisol’s words, and for a split second, I saw what she meant. There was something magnetic about Caleb in that moment—dangerous and beautiful.

I glanced at Riley, shrinking in the corner. Now, the person he’d risk everything for had probably shown up.

She was huddled against the wall, eyes wide with terror. For a second, I wondered if Caleb was fighting for her, or for me.

…

In the chaos, police sirens blared at the alley entrance. Riley had called the cops. The officers quickly subdued the guys and asked, “Who’s giving a statement?”

The red and blue lights painted everything in harsh colors. I wanted to disappear, to erase the memory of what almost happened.

I didn’t want to watch some hero-saves-damsel scene. I just wanted to leave. I’d already fixed my face. “I’ll go.”

I squared my shoulders, determined not to let anyone see how shaken I was.

But someone tugged at my sleeve. “Don’t… don’t go.”

His voice was small, desperate. I turned and saw Caleb, his hand shaking as he reached for me.

When I turned, I saw Caleb’s right hand was bleeding. He used it to steady himself, his clean left hand holding my fingertips.

Blood dripped down his knuckles, staining the pavement. He looked at me like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.

“Sav, don’t go. Don’t leave me again.”

His words hit me like a punch. I swallowed hard, fighting back tears.

In the end, Riley went with the police to give a statement. The alley was empty except for Caleb and me. I squatted down, mumbling, “Caleb, how did you get here?”

I brushed the hair from his eyes, searching his face for answers. He just shook his head, lips pressed tight.

He didn’t answer, just buried his head in my shoulder and hugged me tight. I tried to push him off, but he wouldn’t budge. His heartbeat was wild. I figured he was as scared as I was, so I reached out and patted his head like when we were kids. His hair was surprisingly soft, so I patted it a few more times.

He clung to me like a lifeline, breath ragged. I stroked his hair, murmuring soothing nonsense, trying to calm us both down.

“Like a little puppy.”

Oops, I actually said that out loud.

I clapped a hand over my mouth, mortified. Caleb stiffened, then let out a shaky laugh.

He looked up suddenly. “Then do you like puppies?”

His eyes were bright, searching mine for something I couldn’t name.

“I do,” I answered. “Puppies are so cute—all fluffy, and when you call them, they come running…”

I smiled, thinking of Caleb as a kid, always at my heels. The memory warmed me from the inside out.

Caleb smiled.

His smile was soft, almost shy. It made my heart skip a beat.

I blinked, confused. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

I tilted my head, trying to figure him out. He just shook his head, still smiling.

“No, you’re right.”

He squeezed my hand, and for a moment, everything felt okay.

All the thoughts spinning in my head were interrupted by Caleb’s hug. I decided not to think about it anymore. Whatever.

I let myself melt into his embrace, letting the adrenaline drain away. For now, that was enough.