I didn’t want to go to class. Kami was zipping up her backpack, giving me that look that said she wasn’t going to let me skip. I knew I couldn’t just sit around and let my mind spiral, but after everything that happened earlier today with Colton, the last thing I wanted was to be around people.

 

Kami glanced over at me, her eyes softening.

 

“You, okay?”

 

I hesitated, fidgeting with the strap of my bag.

 

“What if... something happens? What if I flip out again?” My voice was quieter than I meant it to be.

 

Kami walked over and put her hand on my shoulder, forcing me to meet her eyes.

 

“You won’t. Just stay focused. If you start to feel weird or anxious, do what we practiced. Remember your meditation training. Find something to ground you.”

 

I nodded, taking a deep breath.

 

“Yeah. You’re right. Just... find something to focus on.”

 

She smiled. “Exactly. Now come on. We’ve got this.”

 

We headed out of the apartment and started our walk to campus. The air was crisp, a gentle breeze brushing against my face. Kami started talking about JR, and I let myself get lost in her words. She was grinning, telling me about how he’d surprised her with takeout and a movie night last week. I couldn’t help but smile. They were good together, and seeing Kami happy always made me feel better.

 

Just as she was telling me about JR’s latest attempt at cooking (which ended in the smoke alarm going off), I accidentally bumped into someone. Hard. I stumbled back, blinking in surprise as I looked up at the guy I’d run into. He was tall, probably a couple of inches over six feet, with shaggy dark hair and a smirk that made my skin crawl. A few of his friends stood around him; guys and girls, all looking at me like I’d just kicked their dog.

 

“Hey, watch where you’re going!”

 

he snapped, his voice dripping with irritation. He glanced back at his friends, who all started snickering. “Stupid bitch”

 

“Sorry,” I mumbled, trying to move past him, but his glare was glued to me. One of the girls beside him laughed, her manicured nails tapping on her phone screen as if documenting the whole thing.

 

Kami tugged at my arm, whispering, “Let’s just go, Cass.”

 

But I didn’t move. Something dark and cold coiled inside me. The girl who laughed earlier sneered.

 

“Look at her. Thinks she’s tough.”

 

I felt my lip curl without even realizing it, and my eyes locked onto hers. I didn’t miss the way she faltered, her confidence slipping for just a second. I took a step forward, my gaze never leaving hers.

 

“What’s the matter? Scared?”

 

I taunted, my voice dropping lower. I barely recognized, so cruel and mocking.

 

“Must be hard, hiding behind your boyfriend’s shadow.”

 

Her cheeks flushed, but before she could snap back, the guy I’d bumped into grabbed my arm and swung me around to face him.

 

“Who the hell do you think you are," he said.

 

I glanced down at his hand on my arm, then back up at his face.

 

“Sad little man,” I whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. “Needing to grab a girl just to feel important. You that desperate?”

 

His friends laughed, and his grip tightened. I yanked my arm free, glaring up at him with a twisted smile.

 

“Better watch yourself. I don’t have time to play with little boys.” I smiled as my eyes undressed him.

 

His face twisted in anger, and before I could even process it, his hand cracked against my cheek, whipping my head to the side. I didn’t feel the pain at first—just a hot rush of something darker, deeper. My lips spread into a wicked grin as I slowly turned my head back to face him.

 

Kami’s voice cut through the noise. “Cassie! Stop!”

 

But I didn’t hear her. All I saw was red.

 

With a swift movement, I sent a roundhouse kick straight to his jaw, feeling the satisfying crack as he hit the ground. He tried to push himself up, but I stomped down on the back of his neck, grinding my heel into his spine. His friends scattered, yelling for help as others recorded the chaos. I didn’t care. I couldn’t stop myself. I couldn’t feel anything but the need to hurt him.

 

I just stood there, breathing hard, a twisted sense of satisfaction filling my veins. I didn’t even notice campus security rushing toward me until they pulled me back, practically dragging me into the administration building. The whispers and shouts from the crowd blurred together, and Kami followed behind, her face pale and wide-eyed.

 

They shoved me into a chair in some office, and the dean of students appeared, shaking his head. He looked from me to the security guards and back.

 

“Call her parents,” he muttered, rubbing his temples.

 

“Now.”

 

I sat there, numb and dazed, trying to understand what the hell had just happened.