Kingsley Academy

Chapter 35

I slip away from the crowd for a moment, heading toward the bathroom to get a breather from all the attention. It feels like everywhere I turn, someone else is trying to catch up, and while I love being back in my element, it's starting to feel a little overwhelming.

As I make my way down the hallway, I hear footsteps behind me. I glance back and freeze for a second when I see who it is.

Jacob.

He's leaning casually against the wall, a smirk on his face as he watches me. It's the same look he always used to give me, the one that used to make my heart race. But now, all it does is make me feel uneasy.

"It's been a while," he says, pushing off the wall and stepping closer.

I swallow, forcing a smile. "Yeah. It has."

There's an awkward tension between us, and I wish I hadn't run into him here. This wasn't part of the plan. I thought I could get through the night without any drama, but Jacob has always been good at bringing it out.

We talk for a bit, nothing too serious at first—just catching up, the usual small talk. But then he steps closer, his eyes locked on mine in that familiar, predatory way. "You look... good, Allison," he says, his voice low, and I can feel the shift in the air.

"Thanks," I say quickly, trying to step away, but Jacob doesn't let up. He moves closer, his hand brushing against my arm.

"It's been a long time," he murmurs, his voice dripping with something I'm not comfortable with. "I've missed you."

I'm about to tell him to back off when he leans in, his hand sliding to the small of my back as he moves to kiss me. I push against his chest, trying to stop him, but before I can say anything, the door to the bathroom swings open.

Kade.

His eyes darken the second he sees Jacob, his entire body going rigid with fury. Before I can even explain what's happening, Kade crosses the room in two long strides, grabbing Jacob by the collar and yanking him back.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kade growls, his voice low and dangerous.

Jacob, never one to back down from a fight, smirks, even though I can see the flicker of fear in his eyes. "Just saying hi to an old friend," he says, but his tone is mocking, challenging.

That's all it takes.

Kade's fist connects with Jacob's jaw before I even have time to react. The sound of it echoes through the room, and Jacob stumbles back, his hand flying to his face in shock.

But Kade's not done.

He grabs Jacob again, slamming him against the wall, his fists flying in a blur. Blood is already dripping from Jacob's nose, but Kade doesn't stop. His anger is out of control, and I can see it in the way his eyes are blazing, his jaw clenched so tight it looks like he's about to break.

"Kade!" I scream, rushing forward to try and pull him off, but he doesn't even look at me. His fists keep flying, each punch harder than the last, and I can hear Jacob groaning in pain, barely able to defend himself.

"Kade, stop!" I shout again, grabbing his arm, but he yanks away from me, his voice full of fury.

"Back the fuck off, Allison!" he roars, his eyes wild with rage. "I mean it!"

I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest, too stunned to move. Kade's never spoken to me like that before, never been this out of control.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Kade steps back, breathing hard, his fists still clenched as he glares down at Jacob, who's slumped against the wall, blood pouring from his nose.