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Chapter 1

Graduation day had finally arrived, and the air was charged with excitement and anticipation.

As I stood in line with my cap and gown, my heart raced, and my palms grew damp. It wasn’t the prospect of leaving college that made me nervous and happy at the same time; it was the fact that I would finally get to live my life without fear, and anxiety...and without my nightmare.

I had avoided him as much as possible during all those days, but today, it seemed impossible to escape him. The ceremony was small, and everyone was gathered in the same place. I could feel his presence behind me, and I could feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.

Trying to stay composed, I glanced around, looking for a friendly face in the crowd. I spotted my best friend, Emily, and gave her a weak smile. We would finally graduate together. Emily had always been there to support me, and today was no different. She mouthed reassuring words, reminding me to stay strong as she tilted her cap and winked at me.

The Dean’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker, announcing the commencement of the ceremony.

I took a deep breath, and the line of graduates began to move. I stepped forward, inching closer to the stage, and that’s when I felt it – a light brush against my arm. I turned my head slightly and found myself face-to-face with Ryker.

His intense blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I froze.

My stomach dropped, and my throat tightened. Every nerve in my body screamed to look away. I had been good at avoiding those eyes for years because every time they found me, something cruel followed.

A shiver of fear ran down my spine. I remembered that day I defiantly met his gaze only to be cornered. I could remember how tightly I clutched my books when the same icy gaze pinned me in place. He leaned in, so close I could feel his breath ghost across my cheek. I felt the world around me shrinking into a suffocating room. For one terrifying second, I thought he would— no. But I thought he was about to kiss me!

But instead, his hand shot out and grabbed a fistful of my hair, making me yelp in pain. He pulled my head back just enough to sneer.

“Keep it tied,” he muttered coldly, shoving my hair into a messy knot before letting go. My scalp burned, but the humiliation burned me more. He always hated my hair.

That was just one of the many pains he inflicted on me.

Then, he very first day we met flashed in my mind.

The campus was droned with activity as students rushed to their classes. I could feel the students’ excitement, but here I was, so nervous. I inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm the fluttering butterflies in my stomach. My eyes darted nervously around the campus.

I was on my way to my first class, clutching my books tightly and trying to find the place and blend in with the crowd, when suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned to find a man towering over me, smirking and exuding an air of superiority. His blue eyes were piercing. His perfectly styled dirty blond hair accentuated his chiseled jawline, adding to his overall aura of confidence. His t-shirt hugged his broad shoulders as he crossed his arms, emphasizing his powerful presence.

“What do we have here?” he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. “You look like a lost little lamb wandering into the lion’s den.”

Ignoring his tone, I flashed him a smile, my eyes blinking rapidly. I was new to this school, and maybe I could ask him for some information. “Hi, how are you? I’m Harper...”

“Harper, huh?” he sneered, his eyes narrowing. I couldn’t read him, but it was eerie when he looked so impassive.

“Actually, I’m just trying to find my way around.” I softly said. “Do you know where the Wing building is?”

His laughter echoed through the corridor, drawing the attention of curious onlookers. And I noticed how frightened and astonished they appeared as they looked in my direction.

“Ryker,” a voice called, and footsteps followed.

The man leaped on the man in front of me, laughing and shaking his shoulders. Two other men chuckled as they watched me.

“Uhm,” I cleared my throat. “I’ll find it.” My voice was steady despite the nerves bubbling within me.

“No. No. No. Not so fast. Who is this?” the man asked, checking me curiously. “A hoody girl in a skirt.”

Was he mocking my clothes?

“She asked me where the Wing building is,” Ryker said, his tone bored.

The boys erupted in laughter.

“Oh, you need Ryker’s help now, do you? How adorable,” the man with black hair scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “But I’m afraid you asked the wrong guy.”

They were making me feel smaller with every passing moment. Even if I didn’t want them to sense my vulnerability, I knew it showed on my face, and now, they were exploiting it for their amusement.

And it dawned on me, the wrong guy...

Every school has the wrong guy...

I swallowed nervously. Bullies and tormentors existed everywhere. I had met one before. They were those who reveled in causing pain to others, who found pleasure in making someone feel small and helpless.

I took a deep breath, mustering every ounce of courage I could find, although my knees felt like giving up.

“I’ll find my way. I’m sorry for bothering you.” I turned to leave, but Ryker spoke.

“The Wing building is right ahead, down this alley, and then turn to your left,” he said, devoid of emotion.

I turned to look at him, but he just cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. Does he always look like that? Like everything seems to annoy him.

“Thank you,” I replied with genuine gratitude, but I noticed his friend’s mocking grin. My smile faltered, and I turned away quickly.

From then on, I knew I was in trouble.

And I was right. He had always made me regret why I ever chose that school. Every day, I was in constant fear.

And now, standing in line with him so close, I couldn’t help but feel that same fear twisting inside me.

Taking a deep, silent breath, I had to force myself not to flinch under the weight of his stare.

I quickly looked away.

“Harper,”

I flinched.

Did he call me?

He called me names, but not my name. That made me even more scared. What is it now?

The dean’s voice pulled me back to the present.

As we continued to inch forward in line, the fear that had gripped my heart began to subside, but was somehow replaced by strange, mixed emotions.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled. Graduation day was supposed to be about celebrating our achievements, and I couldn’t let Ryker’s presence ruin it for me. I straightened my posture, held my head high, and decided that today, I would face my fear head-on and make the most of this momentous day.

Later, in the bathroom, I looked at myself in the mirror, glad that I was able to pull it off. I smiled, genuinely smiled. This would be my last day to ever see him.

After washing and drying my hands, I pushed open the door and stopped dead.

Shoulder propped against the tiled wall, Ryker’s arms crossed like he’d been waiting.

My pulse spiked, and I instinctively stumbled back.

His blue eyes pinned me the way they always had. Fear gripped my heart, and I looked down.

“We need to talk.” He said.

The words made my chest tighten. Every memory of his cruelty, his taunts, the sting of his grip in my hair every time I wear it down, hit me all at once. I should have turned. I should have run. Instead, I stood there, shaking from within. I felt my knees weaken.

He took a step. And I flinched.

“Harper,”

I stiffened, not because of his usual rough voice, but because of the softness of his tone that made me look at him.

Our eyes locked. His eyes softened. And something flickered across his face. Not contempt. Not anger. Something else—something I never expected to see.

Remorse?