The next morning, Katelyn and Lucas walked into school, hand in hand. Despite the turmoil of the past few days, being together made everything feel right. They were almost at their classroom when Lucy appeared out of nowhere, blocking their path.

“I feel bad for you, Lucas,” Lucy said, her voice dripping with false sympathy.

Lucas frowned, exchanging a glance with Katelyn. “Me?”

Lucy’s gaze shifted to Katelyn, her tone sharp. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

Katelyn narrowed her eyes. “Why should I be ashamed?”

Lucy smirked, crossing her arms. “You’re stringing poor Lucas along when you already have a sweetheart.”

Katelyn blinked, feigning confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb,” Lucy snapped, her smirk widening. “Everyone in school has seen the pic of you hanging all over Zach. Again.”

Lucas decided to play along, a mocking tone in his voice. “What picture?”

Katelyn, catching on quickly, shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah, what picture?”

Lucy’s face twisted in frustration as she fumbled with her phone, searching for the incriminating photo. “Ugh… what the hell? Where did it go?”

“Where did what go?” Lucas asked, feigning innocence.

Lucy’s frustration grew, her face turning red. “There was a picture on the school forum of her and Zach holding each other,” she insisted, her voice rising in anger.

Lucas crossed his arms, looking unimpressed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I swear it was there!” Lucy exclaimed, her voice becoming more desperate. “Believe me, Katelyn’s a slut and you shouldn’t waste your time on her.”

Katelyn’s eyes flared with anger. “What did you just call me?”

Lucy leaned in, her voice dripping with malice. “You heard me. Slut.”

Lucas’s eyes darkened with fury, his voice low and dangerous. “That’s enough. If you say one more bad word about my fiancée, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Lucy’s eyes widened. “Did you just call her your fiancée?”

“Yes,” Lucas said coldly. “And I already know it was you who posted those pictures.”

Lucy scoffed, though her bravado wavered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Katelyn crossed her arms, stepping forward. “Really? Don’t play stupid, Lucy.”

“You have no proof it was me,” Lucy retorted, but there was a flicker of fear in her eyes.

Lucas’s smirk returned. “Are you sure about that?”

Lucy’s face paled as the realization hit her. She took a step back, trying to regain control. “Don’t try and scare me. You don’t have anything on me.”

Without another word, Lucy turned and fled down the hallway, her fear evident in her hurried steps.

Katelyn watched her go, a laugh bubbling up. “I love how scared she looked.”

Lucas’s expression remained serious. “She deserves more than to just be scared.”

Katelyn’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I can’t wait to expose her to everyone.”

“We will. Very soon,” Lucas promised, squeezing her hand. “My friend should have her information by tomorrow.”

Katelyn smiled, feeling a rush of satisfaction. “Good.”

Lucas’s expression softened as he looked down at her, his smile returning. “Let’s go to class,” he said, pulling her close.

Katelyn smiled back, her heart lifting. “Okay,” she whispered, squeezing his hand in return as they walked down the hall together, united in the battle they were about to face.