Double Star

9: The Orphanage.

PoV Sarah:

A month had passed since I started high school, yet it felt as if a lifetime of chaos had unraveled since then. All of it seemed to revolve around him.

Luke.

I couldn't stop wondering what was going through his mind. Ever since the day he punched Jordan and then kissed me gently on the cheek, he had vanished. No sign of him at school. Each day that passed, guilt gnawed at me. Was it my fault? Did I drive him away? I hoped not.

Jordan, on the other hand, avoided me completely. He'd made new friends, and whenever our eyes met, he looked away with a cold indifference. I couldn't blame him, though. He'd come all this way for me, only to be humiliated by Luke. I sighed, lost in thought, wondering what else could possibly go wrong.

"Hey, watch out!" The sharp voice jolted me back to reality. I had accidentally stepped on someone's foot.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—You?"

I froze as my gaze met Noelle's stepbrother. His smirk sent chills down my spine.

"Well, well. Aren't you Luke's chick?" he sneered. Luke's what? What the hell was he talking about?

"Damn, that bastard always gets the hottest ones. Shame I can't get you in my bed instead." His eyes raked over me in a way that made my skin crawl.

Speechless, I could only stare, my mouth slightly open as he ogled me without shame. Where did basic respect go?

"Were you raised on the streets or something?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

Big mistake.

His playful smirk darkened into a glare. "Interesting. Beautiful and feisty—I like that."

I wanted to vanish. His presence made my stomach twist, yet I refused to show weakness.

"Look," I said carefully, "I didn't step on you on purpose. And for the record, I'm not anyone's girl."

Noelle had warned me he was rude, but this? This was next-level disgusting.

"Relax, princess. I'll let it slide this time. But don't get too bold with me again, or you'll have real problems. Got it?" His voice was a low threat masked in mockery. Problems? Was he seriously threatening me right now?

Before I could react, another voice interrupted.

"Hey, dolly!"

Jacob. Great. If it wasn't Luke, it had to be his friends.

"Oh, hey Jacob. How's it going?" I forced a polite smile, trying to ignore Taylor's lingering gaze.

"Cool. I see you've met Taylor." Jacob grinned, slinging an arm around his friend.

"Yeah, sort of," I muttered, forcing a fake smile.

"Catch you later, cutie. Come on, Tay."

Jacob gave me a wink before heading off. But Taylor wasn't done yet. He leaned closer, whispering in my ear, "Call me sometime, babe. I'm better than Luke in bed."

Disgusted, I watched them walk away. What did he take me for? A plaything? I felt queasy, but I kept my composure, refusing to let him see he'd gotten under my skin.

Sighing deeply, I finally joined Noelle and Ashley, who were waiting for me outside.

The sky hung heavy with grey clouds, the air crisp with the scent of impending rain.

"Finally! What took you so long?" Noelle whined.

"Got a bit lost," I lied, not wanting to explain my run-in with her stepbrother.