Chapter 2 His gaze

Valeria's POV 

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I held myself together. I wouldn't cry. Not in front of all these people.

Everywhere I turned, people were whispering. Some laughing, others holding up their phones, capturing every second of my humiliation.

I pressed a hand to my chest as a sharp pang of pain shot through me.

A sudden wave of claustrophobia hit me.

I turned sharply, I couldn't survive one more minute in that space.

“Val, let me come with you,” Tessa said behind me.

“No. No. I…I'll be fine,” I replied without looking back. 

Cameras flashed around me, each one following me as I pushed through the crowd, looking for an escape.

Tessa's footsteps followed behind me. “You're not okay. I—”

“I'm fine,” I snapped.

I didn't want anyone to see me break down. Not even her.

I kept moving, forcing myself through the crowd. People parted slowly, but not fast enough. Some stepped aside awkwardly. Others leaned closer, trying to get a better look.

Their phones kept flashing.

My eyes stayed fixed on the exit ahead. Just a few more steps and I would be there.

Then my gaze shifted. 

I saw him.

He was standing near the exit, slightly apart from the crowd. A dark hoodie shadowed part of his face, but even from a distance, I could feel his eyes on me.

Everyone else in the room looked entertained. But him? He was just watching. No form of amusement on his half-covered face. No judgement in his expression. No mockery.

For a strange second, the noise around me faded.

I couldn't see his full face, but I knew one thing instantly.

He was simply looking at me like I was a person, not a spectacle.

I looked away quickly. I didn't have time to think about it. My instinct screamed at me to leave.

I forced myself forward again, squeezing past a group of students near the doorway.

Almost there. Just a few more seconds, and I'd be out of here. I'd be free to finally break down in my car where no one could see me.

Then suddenly, someone shoved past me from behind. Whether it was intentional or not, I didn't know.

I lost my balance, my feet twisting as I fell forward.

No way. This would be the main highlight of the night.

But instead of hitting the ground, I fell into strong arms that caught me, holding me steady.

My hands instinctively grabbed onto the front of his hoodie as I tried to regain my balance.

I looked up. And that's when I really saw him. Not just the shadowed figure from across the room.

It was the scholarship boy. Mr. Broody, like Tessa would call him. He just saved me from another doom.

For a second, I completely forgot where I was. 

I was too focused on his face… like why did I ever compare him to Mason?

Because standing this close to him—there was no comparison.

Dark hair falling over his forehead, sharp jawline. And his eyes… the perfect shade of grey.

Those intense eyes searched my face briefly, then drifted to the projector screen behind me. 

“People are pathetic when they think humiliation is entertainment,” he said, his voice smooth, laced in a sweet soft British accent I suddenly wanted to hear over and over again. 

My heart gave an unexpected, confused thud. And that was when awareness came rushing back.

I was still in that room with the crowd behind me, laughing at my humiliation on the screen. 

I quickly stepped back from him.

“Sorry,” I muttered, avoiding his eyes.

Without waiting for a response, I turned and hurried toward the door. As I stepped outside, I could still feel his gaze on my back. 

And somehow…it was the only thing that hadn't felt cruel all night.

By the time I reached my car, my fingers were trembling slightly. I slid inside quickly and shut the door. My hands rested on the steering wheel as I inhaled slowly, tears pressing behind my eyes.

No. Not yet.

I started the car.

The road blurred past me, my eyes stinging. But I kept driving.

I tried. I really tried to keep it in.

But after a few minutes of driving, the tears broke loose like a dam.

I had to pull over at a corner and let it all out.

Resting my head on the steering wheel, I cried like never before, my body shivering with the ache I felt in my chest.

All my life, I had tried to be perfect. I always wanted to be the example. I wanted to be the one everyone looked up to.

I never wanted a stain on my name, but now… Valeria Whitmore was a joke. A complete joke at Ashford High.

After several minutes of crying my eyes out, I sniffled and wiped my face roughly with the back of my hand. I stared at my reflection in the rearview mirror. 

Puffy eyes. Ruined mascara.

I was a mess. 

I took out my makeup kit and reapplied everything carefully. When I was sure I looked perfect again, I started the car and drove home.

My mom was in her study, focused on her laptop when I got back. She caught me before I could slip into my room.

“Val,” she called, standing up. “How was the party?”

I forced a smile, giving her a tired look which wasn't difficult to show because of my condition. “It was fine.”

She smiled, stopping in front of me. “You had fun?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “I'm tired. I just want to go to bed.”

“Are you sure you don't want to watch a movie with Mommy?” she pouted.

I smiled faintly. “No, I'm tired, Mom. Besides you're busy.”

“Alright. Goodnight, baby girl.” She kissed my cheek.

“Goodnight.” I kept the fake smile in place until I reached my room.

I didn't even shower. I just collapsed onto my bed.

The next morning, I woke up to a loud—

“VALERIA!”

My head throbbed so bad, and my mom's yell made it even worse.

I forced myself to sit up, placing my hand on my forehead, wishing it could ease the pain.

“Mom,” I muttered.

She shoved her phone in front of my face. “Do you mind explaining this?”

I looked up only to see a video of last night. 

Oh goodness. Not again.

I lifted my gaze to her furious expression and sighed. “I don't even know what to say.”