Blinded

Chapter 18

Kayla's POV

Walking through the front doors of my school felt different now. It wasn't like before, when I could move through the halls without anyone paying attention. Now, it was eyes. Phones lifted. Whispers following me everywhere I turned.

I kept my hoodie pulled halfway up, but it didn't matter. People still stared like I was some sort of celebrity walking into a regular high school. Which... I guess, lowkey, I was starting to become.

As I walked down the hall toward the front office, I passed a group of girls I didn't even know. One of them gasped, "That's her, the one who was at the game with Jalen."

I didn't even flinch. I was getting used to that.

Once I got to the front office, I waited a few minutes before the principal, Mr. Ellison, called me in. He gave me a warm smile and told me to sit.

"So, what's on your mind, Kayla?"

I took a breath. "I want to graduate early. I already have all my credits. I've been ahead for a while, and with everything going on... I just think it's time."

He looked impressed, nodding. "You're right. Your transcript is strong. All we need is a signature from your parent or guardian, and I can have the paperwork ready by the end of the day."

Relief washed over me. "Thank you."

He gave me a knowing look. "Things getting a little chaotic, huh?"

I gave a small laugh. "You have no idea."

When I left his office and headed to class, the attention got worse. People were bold now. They weren't whispering—they were asking questions out loud.

"Kayla, is it true you were at the game with Jalen Williams?"

"Can you tag me in your TikTok?"

"Are you famous now?"

I tried to brush it off and stay focused in class, but I could feel everyone watching me. My teacher was clearly annoyed by the constant distraction, and I couldn't even focus on the notes on the board. By lunchtime, I was done.

I went to the office, called my mom, and told her I needed to leave. She understood. I wasn't just a student anymore—I was an internet presence, whether I asked for it or not.

After leaving school early, I was curled up on my bed, scrolling through my notes about graduating early. It was really happening. I'd just need my mom's signature and then I'd be officially done with school soon—out of the chaos, the distractions, the staring.

I pulled my curly hair up into a high ponytail, securing it with a scrunchie, not realizing how good I looked until I saw myself in my front camera.

Just as I settled in, my phone started vibrating.

Clarence FaceTime
Incoming call

I stared at it for a second, hesitating. Then I sighed and answered.

"Look at you," Clarence said the second his face popped up on the screen. He was shirtless, chain catching the light, flexing slightly like he didn't notice. "Big star now."

I laughed softly. "Stop."

"No, for real. You was at the game, courtside, all eyes on you," he said, then his tone shifted as he looked at me closer. "You still doin' that lil ponytail, huh?"

I glanced up at the camera, realizing he was lowkey staring. "What about it?"

"Just forgot how good you look with your curls pulled up like that..." he muttered, eyes lingering longer than they should. "You know what you be doing."