Chapter 17 Chapter 17
Cass Winfield gripped the edges of her locker, trying to steady her nerves. Another day at school, another round of whispers and snickers, but today felt heavier somehow. Marvin Woods had already made the morning hell with his usual smirk and his girlfriend Jacinta trailing behind him like a shiny accessory.
Lena had promised to stick with her, and she was true to her word. They navigated the hallways together, whispering quick reminders: avoid Marvin, ignore the gossip, breathe.
“Seriously, do they ever get tired?” Cass muttered, nodding toward a group of students who were clearly watching Marvin strut through the hallway.
“They feed off it,” Lena said calmly. “Trust me. They’ll get bored eventually. But today… we need a plan.”
Cass frowned. “Plan?”
“You don’t just survive, Cass. Sometimes you have to reclaim a little space,” Lena whispered. “Even small victories count.”
Cass took a deep breath, trying to imagine what that could even look like. Little did she know, the opportunity would come sooner than she expected.
By mid-afternoon, the school’s hockey field was buzzing. Marvin had convinced the gym teacher to let the team run extra drills after practice, and of course, everyone wanted to watch. Students crowded the sidelines, snapping photos, cheering, and whispering about Marvin like he was a celebrity.
Cass had reluctantly followed, mostly to check on Lena. But the moment she saw Marvin at the center of the field, cocky and flawless in his hockey uniform, she felt a flash of irritation. He radiated arrogance, practically daring someone to call him out.
Jace was leaning against the fence a few yards away, calm as ever, eyes tracking every move Marvin made. Cass felt a strange mixture of comfort and tension knowing he was nearby, steady and alert.
Marvin barked out orders, tossing a hockey puck between his teammates with exaggerated flair. Jacinta giggled at every movement, obviously enjoying the show. Cass’s jaw tightened.
“Bet he thinks he’s untouchable,” Lena muttered beside her.
“Untouchable until someone… isn’t,” Cass whispered, barely able to contain the spark of mischief.
That moment came sooner than expected.
Marvin signaled one of the players to pass him the puck. He spun dramatically, attempting a flashy maneuver, but misjudged the speed. The puck ricocheted off his stick, skimming across the field, and before anyone could react it hit him squarely in the shin.
He yelped, hopping and flailing like a cartoon character, completely off balance. Jacinta screamed, hands covering her mouth, while the students watching erupted in laughter.
Cass’s lips twitched, and she almost laughed aloud. Marvin’s face was priceless: a mixture of shock, embarrassment, and rage, all in high definition.
Jace, calm and composed, couldn’t hide the tiny smirk tugging at his lips. He had been watching everything unfold, and while he didn’t intervene, there was satisfaction in seeing Marvin humbled if only for a moment.
Cass took a cautious step forward, Lena beside her, trying not to giggle as Marvin staggered, swinging his stick wildly, desperately trying to regain his dignity.
“Need a hand, Captain?” one of the teammates shouted teasingly, and the crowd’s laughter intensified.
Marvin glared, face red, trying to salvage what was left of his ego. He finally snatched up the puck, muttering something under his breath, but the damage was done. The king of the school had been dethroned if only briefly and everyone watching knew it.
Cass felt a rush of satisfaction. It wasn’t a grand victory, but it was a start. Marvin could strut all he wanted, flaunt his girlfriend, and radiate arrogance but even he could falter. And today, he had.
She glanced at Jace, whose calm gaze met hers for a brief moment. There was no judgment in his eyes, just a quiet acknowledgment: you’re stronger than you realize, Cass. You’re paying attention, you’re surviving, and sometimes, you get a little taste of victory.
Lena leaned closer, whispering in her ear, “See? Small wins. You’ll get used to them. And don’t worry, I won’t let him see us laughing.”
Cass laughed softly, a sound lighter than it had been in weeks. For the first time that afternoon, she felt a flicker of confidence, a tiny spark of hope that maybe she could carve out a space for herself even amidst Marvin’s chaos.
By the time practice ended, the crowd had dispersed, buzzing about the incident. Marvin slouched off the field, glaring at anyone who dared smirk, Jacinta whining quietly beside him. Cass couldn’t help but glance back, feeling a mixture of triumph and relief.
Jace caught up to her as they walked toward the parking lot. “You saw it?” he asked quietly. His usual calm voice carried that faint undercurrent of amusement that made her chest flutter.
“I did,” Cass admitted, smirking slightly. “I couldn’t help it. That was… satisfying.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Careful. Small victories are fine, but don’t let it define you. You’re stronger than the chaos. You don’t need to prove it by laughing at Marvin.”
Cass nodded, understanding what he meant. And yet, she couldn’t resist just a little grin. Sometimes, even the smallest victories made the storm feel manageable.
Lena fell in step beside her, chattering about the dramatic way Marvin had flailed, her own laughter bubbling under control. Cass smiled, letting herself relax, if only for a moment.
The school day wasn’t over, the rumors wouldn’t stop, and Marvin wouldn’t magically disappear but today, she had survived. Today, she had witnessed him falter, seen him embarrassed, and shared a laugh with Lena. And Jace steady, calm, protective Jace had been there too, silently reminding her that she wasn’t completely alone in this.
For Cass, that was enough. At least for today.