Chapter 2
Rainey's POV
Morning sunlight streamed through Rainfield High's hallway windows. Students chatted in small groups, youthful energy filling the air. I took a deep breath, trying to look confident.
New semester, fresh start. Maybe last night's reunion was just an accident. Maybe things would be better at school.
I walked with my head down, looking at my schedule while searching for my locker. Just as I turned the corner, something caught my foot.
"Ah!"
I lost balance and was about to fall when a strong arm caught me.
I looked up into familiar deep eyes.
Logan.
He steadied me, but there wasn't a trace of warmth on his face. Students around us stopped to stare, curious about what was happening.
"Still as clumsy as ever," he said mockingly as he immediately let go. "Ten years and you still haven't learned how to walk?"
My face flushed red. "I... thank you..."
"Don't thank me." He looked at me coldly. "Just watch where you're going next time."
He started to leave, but I couldn't help calling after him. "Logan, can't we..."
"Can't we what?" He turned around, eyes full of impatience. "Pick up where we left off? Don't kid yourself."
Whispers arose around us. Students looked at us with various expressions—curious, gossipy, some jealous.
Logan didn't say anything more and walked away. Several boys followed closely like guards protecting their king.
I stood there feeling my whole body tremble. The hallway crowd gradually dispersed, but their murmurs still rang in my ears.
"That transfer student actually knows Logan?"
"Looks like they knew each other before..."
"Logan never helps girls, except for Leah..."
"Looking at his attitude, it can't be a good relationship."
I walked away quickly with my head down, emotions all over the place.
After morning classes, I realized what kind of trouble I'd gotten myself into.
Logan was clearly someone special at this school. He wasn't just academically excellent and athletically gifted—more importantly, he had this natural leadership quality that made everyone instinctively defer to him. Girls competed desperately for just one glance, while guys desperately wanted to be his friends.
And now, I—this suddenly appearing transfer student—not only knew him but had a public confrontation with him in front of the whole school. This was enough to make me a target.
During lunch break, I was washing my hands in the bathroom, getting ready to go to the cafeteria.
Just as I was about to push the door open, the handle wouldn't turn.
"What the hell?" I pushed hard, but it wouldn't budge, like something was blocking it.
I heard several girls giggling outside.
"Looks like someone's gonna be stuck in there for a while."
"Who told her to think she could get special treatment from Logan?"
"Even Logan treats her like trash, and she still has the nerve to stay here. So shameless."
"Right, she should look in a mirror. What makes her think she has any connection to Logan?"
"Some people just don't know their place, thinking they're special."
My heart sank. They'd locked me in the bathroom.
I pounded on the door frantically. "Let me out! This is so childish!"
"Childish? We just want you to know your place. Logan doesn't want you anymore, so why are you still hanging around here like a parasite?"
"Yeah, just go back where you came from!"
Their voices grew distant, leaving me trapped alone in the dark bathroom.
I slid down against the door, feeling my eyes burn. Why was it always like this? Why was I rejected everywhere I went?
About twenty minutes later, the door suddenly opened.
I looked up in surprise but didn't see anyone. The hallway was completely empty, not even a shadow.
I walked out confused and found a broken chair on the floor. Obviously, someone had used the chair to jam the door and lock me in, and now someone had broken it by hand.
But who would help me? And who had the strength to break a chair with their bare hands?
After school that afternoon, I walked alone toward the parking lot. The sun was setting, painting the sky orange-red, and campus was much quieter.
I'd just reached my car and was about to get my keys when I heard low growling behind me.
I slowly turned around and instantly felt my blood freeze.
A huge silver-gray wolf-dog was standing about thirty feet away, eyes fixed on me. It was much larger than any normal dog, almost the size of a small horse.
"No... no..." My voice trembled, and my legs went so weak I could barely stand.
The wolf-dog started walking toward me, each step making my heart race faster. I wanted to run, but my legs felt like jelly.
It suddenly picked up speed and charged at me!
I screamed and turned to run, but it was too fast. I could hear its footsteps getting closer, along with that terrifying panting.
NO! DON'T!
Memories from ten years ago hit me like lightning—
It was dusk, and I was lost in the forest. Suddenly, a huge wild wolf appeared on the path, baring sharp teeth, approaching step by step.
I screamed and ran, but the wolf was too fast. Just when I thought I was going to die, it pounced, sharp claws tearing my arm...
"Stay back! Stay back!" I screamed as I ran, my vision starting to darken.
The footsteps got closer and closer. I could feel the massive beast just steps behind me.
Just when I thought I was about to be tackled, a familiar voice rang out:
"Shadow."
Just one word, but the footsteps behind me immediately stopped.
I stumbled to a halt and barely managed to turn around to see Logan walking out from behind the school building. His expression was calm, but there was something dangerous in his eyes.
"Ten years and you're still just as much of a coward," he said, walking up to me and looking down at my collapsed form.
Then he turned to the wolf-dog. "Shadow, apologize to her."
Something incredible happened. The huge wolf-dog actually walked obediently up to me, lowered its head, and made apologetic whimpering sounds.
I was completely stunned. How was this possible?
Logan reached out to help me, but I instinctively shrank back.
"This is your dog?" I asked, trembling.
"So what if it is?" He put his hands in his pockets and looked down at me. "Did you think it was some wild beast that was gonna eat you?"
I struggled to stand up, my legs still shaking. "Why is it so big? And why does it obey you like that?"
"Because I take good care of it," Logan replied expressionlessly. "Unlike some people who can't even take care of themselves."
This was obviously a dig at my pathetic state just now.
"Logan, I—"
"Don't explain." He cut me off, but his eyes were checking to see if I was hurt. "Shadow just wanted to play with you. It wouldn't really hurt you."
Play with me? This kind of "playing" nearly killed me!
I bit my lip, thinking about everything that had happened today. "I wanted to ask you, have you been—"
"I haven't done anything." He roughly interrupted me and turned to leave. "Next time be more careful. Not all dogs are as gentle as Shadow."
Shadow obediently followed behind him. Before leaving, it even turned back to look at me, and there was actually some remorse in those eyes.
"Logan!" I called after him.
He stopped but didn't turn around. "What else?"
"Thank you," I said softly.
His shoulders tensed slightly. After a few seconds of silence: "Don't read into it. I just didn't want Shadow getting into trouble."
Then he strode away, Shadow following closely behind.
I watched their retreating figures, my heart a complex mix of emotions.
