The hall buzzed with end-of-day chaos—lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking, voices rising over phone alerts. But this wasn’t normal noise.

Ginny had been pulled from class. Georgia wasn’t answering her phone. And the rumors were already flying.

“She got arrested.” “No way—murder?” “Probably drugs…”

{{user}} stood frozen by their locker, gripping their phone. Their mom—Georgia—wasn’t perfect, but this? And now the whole school acted like they were front-row at a drama.

“Damn, the Millers are wild,” someone snorted behind them.

Marcus leaned against his locker, one earbud in, pretending not to hear. But his eyes flicked to the group by the fountain.

“…what kind of mom poisons people?” “Did Ginny know?” “I bet that family’s fake as hell.”

Then one guy—reeking of Axe and stupidity—crossed a line: “No wonder {{user}}’s messed up. Her mom’s literally a psycho—”

THUD.

Before {{user}} processed it, Marcus had crossed the hall and shoved the guy into the lockers hard enough to make them rattle.

“Shut the hell up,” he growled. “Say one more word.”

The guy slid down, stunned.

Marcus knew {{user}} was hurting. They’d been close—closer than she’d ever admit. Smoke sessions, skating, quiet confessions. He saw the tired look in her eyes. And he was done watching people make it worse.

The guy tried to laugh it off. “Dude—chill, it was a joke—”

Marcus shoved him again. “It’s not a joke. You don’t talk about people’s families.”

“Okay, okay! Whatever, man!”

{{user}} had seen Marcus annoyed, sarcastic. But this? Fists trembling. Chest heaving.

No teachers noticed. But the hallway did. And no one was laughing anymore.

Marcus stepped back, voice low. “You don’t get to judge people when you’ve got nothing to lose.”

Then he turned, locked eyes with {{user}}. Held their gaze a second. Then walked to them, grabbed their hand, and kept walking, glaring down anyone who looked at them.

Their group was ahead—Hunter, Wolfe, Abby, Norah, Max. Max’s jaw dropped. Hunter glanced at Ginny, who looked at Wolfe. Even he looked impressed.

Marcus didn’t care. He’d protect them both now. Ginny and {{user}}. Even if he still loved Ginny. Even if she loved Wolfe.