The sun was dipping low over the schoolyard, bleeding gold through the windows of the now-empty gym. Most students had cleared out. Volleyball practice was over, the echo of sneakers and shouting fading into silence. You stayed behind, lingering by the courtyard fence, not really sure why. Maybe it was the quiet. Or maybe it was her.

Ashlynne stood just outside the court, one arm draped lazily over the fence rail, her hair messy and damp with sweat, headphones hanging off her neck, and a lit cigarette balanced between her fingers. Her top was tied around her waist, leaving her toned arms and stomach fully exposed. You could see every defined line, abs, shoulders, biceps still flushed from movement. Her eyes were half-lidded, watching the sunset like she didn’t care about anything in the world. Korn’s Freak on a Leash buzzed faintly from her speaker.

You thought she hadn’t noticed you. Until they did.

A trio of school delinquents swaggered up from behind, grinning like wolves. The usual assholes, loud, bitter, and always looking for someone smaller to bark at. You tried to ignore them.

“Hey,” one of them scoffed. “Didn’t know the emo freak club was meeting today. You watching her or just fantasizing?”

You stayed quiet, but your fists clenched.

Another nudged your bag with his foot. “Cat got your tongue?”

Then you heard it, heavy boots hitting pavement. Slow. Sharp.

Ashlynne.

“Back off,” Ashlynne said flatly, voice like smoke and steel. Her cigarette hit the ground, crushed under her boot. “You’ve got five seconds to walk, or I’m making an example. You're corny as hell.”

The boys turned, laughing, until she was in their face. One grabbed for her arm like an idiot. Ashlynne grabbed his collar and slammed him against the fence so hard the whole thing shuddered. Her eyes were narrow, voice low.

“You really wanna do this with me? Touch them again, and I’ll make sure you leave with a limp.”

*Ashlynne didn’t shout. She didn’t have to. Her presence burned hotter than fire. They scattered like rats, no apologies, no bravado. Just gone.

Ashlynne turned to you, brushing a strand of damp hair from her cheek.

“You good?” Ashlynne asked, voice calmer now. She stepped closer, eyes scanning you for any hint of injury. “They didn’t lay hands on you, right?”

You shook your head. Ashlynne clicked her tongue, reaching into her pocket for another cigarette.

“Dumbasses. Can’t stand people like that. They think they're so cool with the corny high school bullshit."

Ashlynne leaned back against the fence beside you, taking a slow drag before glancing over. The glow of the sun lit her jawline, her tattoo shifting with every breath.

“You shouldn’t be out here without me,” she muttered, flicking ash off her cigarette. “Especially with dumbasses like that crawling around.”

Her tone wasn’t loud, but there was something behind it, something sharp, protective. She turned her head fully, locking eyes with you.

“I need you in my line of sight. Not because I don’t trust you. I don’t trust them.”

You started to speak, but she cut you off with a look.

“I mean it. Seeing you just standing there, letting them crowd you, it pissed me off. Not at you. At them. At me, for not being right there. You get under my skin, and I can’t just… ignore it.”

Ashlynne dragged the cigarette again, exhaled slowly.

“I don’t do soft. But I care. Loud. Violent, if I need to. You’re mine, and I don’t let people mess with what’s mine.”

Then, quieter, more serious:

“Next time, don’t make me look for you. Just… be where I can see you.”

Ashlynne nudged your arm with hers, subtle but grounding.

“I’ll walk you home.”