Chapter 19 Forgotten order

Chapter 19 Forgotten order
ELOWEN BENNETT

I walked toward the vending machines with my head down, the weight of embarrassment pressing on my shoulders like a heavy blanket.

The worst part wasn’t even Tasha ordering me around like a servant. It was the fact that Alaric hadn’t said a single word. He had just stood there, watching silently as his girlfriend treated me like trash. No teasing, no defense, no acknowledgment. Nothing. That silence hurt more than any cruel comment he could have made.

My mind kept replaying the moment at his locker — the way his blue eyes had flicked to me for half a second before looking away. Why didn’t he say anything? Was he still angry about yesterday at the cafe? Or had I become so insignificant that he didn’t even care anymore?

I reached the vending machine and pressed the buttons for a cold Diet Coke. The can clattered down loudly. I picked it up, feeling the chill against my palm, and let out a slow breath. I just needed to deliver this and disappear for the rest of lunch.

As I turned to head back, I nearly bumped into someone again.

“Careful,” a familiar warm voice said with a light chuckle.

I looked up and felt a small wave of relief wash over me.

It was Andrew, the new hockey player I had run into yesterday after the cafeteria incident. He was standing there with his backpack slung over one shoulder, light brown hair slightly messy, and that same friendly smile on his face. Today he wasn’t carrying his helmet, but he still had that easy, approachable energy.

“Hey, Elowen,” he said, tilting his head. “You okay? You look kinda stressed.”

I tried to smile, but it felt weak. “Yeah… I’m fine. Just running an errand.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “You sure? You’ve got that look like the whole world is sitting on your shoulders.”

I hesitated, then shrugged. “It’s been a rough couple of days. Nothing I can’t handle.”

Andrew leaned against the wall beside the vending machine, giving me his full attention. “Want to talk about it? Or we can talk about something else. Your choice.”

For some reason, his kindness made my chest feel a little lighter. I didn’t usually open up to people, especially not guys who looked like they belonged on the popular side of the school. But Andrew felt different, he felt safe.

We ended up standing there for a few minutes, talking. He asked about my classes and what I liked to do outside of school. When I mentioned that I loved reading fantasy novels and sometimes wrote short stories in my notebook, his face lit up.

“No way,” he said, genuinely surprised. “I’m obsessed with fantasy too. I’ve been reading this series about dragon riders. Have you read The Name of the Wind?”

My eyes widened. “Yes! I finished it last month. It’s amazing.”

We fell into an easy conversation about books, favorite authors, and even some video games he played. He told me he was still adjusting to the new school and the hockey team pressure, but he loved the ice. For the first time in days, I forgot about the Diet Coke in my hand, forgot about Tasha waiting, and forgot about Alaric’s cold silence. I was just talking to someone who seemed to actually see me as a person.

Andrew laughed at something I said about a plot twist in one of my favorite books, and I found myself smiling — a real smile.

Then the moment shattered.

“Where the hell is my drink?!”

Tasha’s sharp voice cut through the hallway like a whip. She stormed toward us, her perfect blonde hair swinging angrily behind her. Her eyes narrowed the second she saw me standing there talking to Andrew instead of delivering her soda.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she snapped, stopping right in front of me. “I sent you to get one simple thing and you’re over here flirting with the new guy? What kind of useless idiot are you?”

Heat rushed to my face. “I’m sorry, I was just—”

“Shut up!” Tasha stepped closer, her voice rising. “Do you think because Alaric is using you for whatever sick game he’s playing, you can just ignore me? Give me the damn drink!”

She reached out and snatched the can from my hand, but she wasn’t done. Her face twisted with anger as she took another step toward me.

“You think you’re special now? Talking to hockey players like you belong? You’re nothing. A pathetic little nobody who—”

She raised her hand suddenly, like she was about to slap me.

I flinched, bracing myself.

But the hit never came.

A strong hand gently but firmly caught Tasha’s wrist in mid-air.

“Don’t you dare hit her.”

Andrew’s voice was calm but serious, his grip steady as he held Tasha’s hand up. He stepped slightly in front of me, his tall frame creating a protective barrier.

Tasha’s eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with fury. “Who the hell do you think you are? Let go of me!”

Andrew didn’t raise his voice, but his tone was firm. “I’m not letting you hit her. Back off.”

For a second, the hallway seemed to freeze. A few students nearby had stopped to watch, phones already coming out.

Tasha yanked her wrist free from Andrew’s hold, glaring at both of us. “You’re going to regret this,” she hissed at me. “Both of you.”

She turned on her heel and stormed off, the Diet Coke still clutched in her hand.

I stood there, heart racing, my breathing shaky. Andrew turned to me, his expression softening with concern.

“You alright?” he asked gently. “She didn’t touch you, did she?”