Chapter 26: Question

Chalrwd Twenty Six

I had just finished my lunch and was walking toward the courtyard when I saw her—Priscilla—striding confidently toward me, that smug, knowing smile plastered across her face. My stomach dropped a little, but I straightened my shoulders. I wouldn’t show fear. Not here. Not in front of her.

“Look who’s back,” Priscilla said, her tone sweet but dripping with challenge. “I see the little transfer girl thinks she can just waltz into Northshore Academy and take everything. Cole seems… fond of you.” She leaned a little closer, whispering loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. “You do know he’s mine, right? That’s not even a question. You can’t compare to me.”

I forced a small smile, letting my eyes flicker briefly to her face. My hands curled slightly around the strap of my bag. Inside, I was boiling—anger and frustration mixing with the tiniest spark of jealousy. But I wouldn’t let her see. Not now. Not ever.

“I’m not trying to be anyone else,” I said, voice calm, careful. “I’m just me. That’s enough.”

Priscilla laughed, soft and mocking, and for a second I thought she might push things further. But then, just as she opened her mouth, I felt it—a familiar presence. My eyes shifted slightly, and there he was. Cole.

He was standing a little distance away, leaning casually against the wall of the courtyard, arms crossed. At first, I thought he was just passing by, but the way his gaze stayed fixed on me, sharp and unwavering, told me he had been watching. Every movement, every tilt of my head, every word exchanged between Priscilla and me—it didn’t escape him.

My heart skipped. I didn’t realize he’d been there the whole time. His blue eyes were unreadable, cold on the surface, but I could see it—the flicker of something underneath. A protective edge. A quick tightening of his jaw. I couldn’t tell if it was anger, concern, or something more, but it made my stomach flip.

I squared my shoulders and met Priscilla’s gaze. “I’m done here,” I said quietly, enough for her to hear but calm enough that I sounded in control. I turned on my heel and walked away, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me shaken.

Cole’s gaze followed me, but he didn’t move. Not yet. He stayed there, still leaning casually, arms crossed, watching as I put as much space as possible between us and Priscilla. And in that brief moment, I felt it—an unspoken acknowledgment from him. He had seen me stand up for myself, and I could almost feel him… impressed. Surprised, even.

Later, after practice, I was heading toward the locker room, my muscles sore and my mind still replaying the confrontation with Priscilla. I didn’t expect anyone to speak to me, and I definitely didn’t expect Cole. But there he was, standing just inside the doorway of the empty rink, away from prying eyes. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were intense, locked onto mine.

“You handled yourself well today,” he said quietly, voice low, almost a whisper. It wasn’t teasing. It wasn’t mocking. It was… serious. Personal.

I froze, unsure how to respond. My throat went dry. “Th-thank you,” I said finally, keeping my voice steady even though my heart was racing.

He took a small step closer, the space between us shrinking just enough that I could feel it, without touching. “You didn’t have to say anything to her,” he said, glancing briefly toward the empty hallway, making sure no one could overhear. “I saw everything. You stood your ground… and you didn’t flinch.”

I swallowed hard, unsure what to do with the sudden warmth I felt from his words. “I…” I hesitated. “I just… I didn’t want to look weak.”

Cole’s lips twitched, almost like a faint smirk, but it disappeared quickly. “You’re stronger than you think,” he said, almost to himself. Then he shook his head lightly and added, “Not everyone could have done what you did. Most people… would have crumbled under her words.”

I felt a flush creep up my neck. The attention, the acknowledgment—it was subtle, but it hit me harder than any praise I’d ever received. My chest tightened in a way I didn’t expect. For a moment, I realized he wasn’t just seeing me as the girl he had a bet with or the transfer student. He was seeing me. Just me.

Cole stepped back slightly, just enough to let the moment breathe. “I won’t say this in front of anyone else,” he added softly. “But I meant it. You handled that perfectly.”

I nodded, trying to calm the rapid beating of my heart. “Thanks… Cole,” I said, keeping my voice steady, though it betrayed the tiniest hint of awe.

He gave me one last look—serious, sharp, and for a second, almost vulnerable. Then he turned and left the rink without another word, leaving me standing there, my mind racing.

I exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the moment sink in. He had seen me. He had noticed. And somehow, in that quiet, private acknowledgment, I felt… stronger. But also… confused.

Because now, I wasn’t just dealing with school pressure or Priscilla’s teasing. I was dealing with my own heart, and the fact that Cole Hayes, the coldest, most impossible boy in school, had just made it clear that he saw me.