I woke up to my alarm buzzing and groaned, staring at the ceiling for a second before forcing myself up. The dull ache in my foot greeted me the moment I stood. I limped into the bathroom, took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, tied my hair back, and studied my reflection longer than I should have. I looked tired but I looked ready.
When I went down stairs the smell of what my mom was cooking drifted from the kitchen fried eggs and something warm and comforting. It was the kind of smell that usually made mornings feel safe.
Today, it only reminded me of how little I wanted to leave. I didn't go in. I grabbed my bag and slipped out of the house quietly before she could call my name.
The morning air was cool as I walked, my steps careful, my limp controlled. I kept my head down, pretending I was fine, I never want to take a taxi, I just want the cool breeze on me.
Then I heard it the low hum of an engine slowing behind me, after a five minutes walk
I didn't turn right away. My chest tightened, my thoughts jumping to conclusions, until the sound stopped too close. A shadow stretched beside me. I turned. A bike.
My heart jumped. For a split second, panic surged, Then the rider removed his helmet, Hudson.
Relief escaped me before I could stop it. He looked from my face to my foot.
"You're still walking like that?"
"I'm fine," I said quickly.
"Get on. I'll take you."
"No." I turned away and walked faster, posture stiff, ignoring the pain until my foot gave slightly and I had to stop.
"Just this once," I muttered.
That was how I ended up on his bike, At first, I kept my hands to myself, gripping the seat, leaving space between us. The bike moved forward slowly. Then the road dipped. It swayed just enough. Instinct took over. I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding on tightly.
"I....sorry."
"It's fine," he said calmly. "I've got you."
I didn't let go after that.
The closer we got to school, the heavier my chest felt. When we finally pulled in, the noise of the campus softened not quieter, just more focused. Conversations slowed. Heads turned. People stared openly now, some pretending not to, others not bothering to hide it at all.
I felt exposed. Like I was standing under a spotlight, Hudson noticed instantly.
He cut the engine and got off first, then turned toward me and held out his hand. I hesitated, then took it. He helped me down slowly, steadying me when my foot touched the ground.
"Easy," he murmured.
Whispers rippled around us. I caught fragments my name, his name, disbelief threaded through every sound. I lowered my head, wishing I could disappear, Hudson stepped closer instead.
He took my back pack from my shoulder without asking and carried it himself. Then he adjusted his pace to match mine, walking beside me like it was the most natural thing in the world. When people didn't move, he didn't shove or glare he simply kept walking, and somehow they stepped aside anyway.
I could feel their eyes following us. Measuring. Wondering. Judging.
But Hudson didn't rush me. Didn't pull away. Didn't act like he regretted it.
He treated me carefully, deliberately like someone worth standing beside, not someone to be whispered about.
And as we crossed the school grounds together, every step slow and deliberate, I realized something I wasn't ready to fully understand yet
We were almost at the building when I heard a voice, It was Zack, and I wish I had another way to get to close,I really don't wanna see him.
He was leaning against the wall with his friend, both of them mid-laugh until they saw us. The laughter died instantly. Zack's eyes widened, his gaze bouncing from Hudson to me like he couldn't process what he was seeing.
"What the hell…?" his friend muttered.
Zack scoffed loudly. "Why on earth is the principal's son doing with her?" His eyes dragged over me with open disgust. "Boo! That's not fair."
I felt Hudson stiffen beside me.
"She doesn't deserve You bro, fuck off," Zack added cruelly as we passed. "Or anyone, really."
Hudson stopped so suddenly I almost ran into him. He turned slowly, deliberately, like Zack was something mildly entertaining rather than threatening. I felt every pair of eyes around us lock in, He laughed.
Not angry. Not tense, Amused.
"That's it?" he said, tilting his head. "That's the best you've got?"
Zack blinked, clearly not expecting that. "What did you just say?"
Hudson took a step closer, his smile widening just enough to be dangerous. "I mean, if you're going to embarrass yourself in public, at least make it interesting."
I sucked in a breath.
Zack's face darkened instantly. "You think this is funny?"
"I think you're loud," Hudson replied calmly. "And insecure. And way too invested in someone you call a loser."
Zack clenched his fists. "You wanna try me?"
I felt my stomach drop.
Before anything could happen, Zack's friend grabbed his arm. "No, no, no," he said quickly. "Don't do this. Let's go. Just leave them."
Zack yanked his arm back. "Did you hear what he said?"
"I don't care," his friend snapped. "She's not worth it. She's a complete loser. Let's just get out of here."
Hudson chuckled softly. "See?" he said. "Even your friend knows when to walk away."
That did it.
Zach glared at him, then at me, his lip curling with hatred. "This isn't over," he muttered.
Hudson leaned slightly toward him, voice low but clear. "It never is. But you always lose."
Zack hesitated then turned and stormed off, his friend scrambling after him.
The moment they were gone, my legs felt weak.
Hudson turned back to me, expression shifting instantly, the edge gone. "You okay?"
I nodded, even though my heart was still pounding. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yeah," he said casually. "I did."
I slowed my steps, the words sitting heavy in my chest until I couldn't keep them in anymore.
"Hudson," I said quietly.
He stopped immediately and turned toward me.
"Yeah?"
I hesitated, then met his eyes. "Why are you being so kind to me?"
For a moment, he didn't answer. He looked away briefly, jaw tightening, like he was choosing his words carefully.
"Because I know what it's like," he said finally.
I frowned. "What it's like to what?"
"To be judged before anyone knows you," he replied. "To have people decide who you are based on rumors, last names, or things you didn't even do."
That surprised me. "You?" I asked before I could stop myself.
He gave a small, humorless smile. "Yeah. Me too."
I studied his face, seeing something different now something tired beneath the confidence. "Still," I said softly, "you don't owe me anything."
"I know," he said. Then he looked back at me, really looked at me. "That's why it's a choice."
My throat tightened.
We started walking again, slower this time.
''I'm not trying to save you," he added, almost like he was afraid I might misunderstand. "I just don't like bullies. And I don't like seeing someone pretend they're strong when they shouldn't have to."
I looked down at my foot, then back up at him.
"You're not what people say you are, they said you look hot, and a spoilt brat..but I guess I'm liking you..i mean Seeing you as a nice person"
He smirked slightly. "Hmm I'm not stable"
His kindness wasn't loud. It wasn't pity.