Katelyn couldn't shake the unease settling deep in her gut. It had been two weeks since Lucy accepted her punishment, but something felt off—too easy.

"Honey, do you think Lucy is plotting something else?" Katelyn asked as she and Lucas strolled through the school hallways, hand in hand.

Lucas glanced at her, his expression hardening slightly. "Why? Do you suspect something?"

Katelyn sighed, her brows furrowed. "I just have this weird feeling. It’s been too quiet."

Lucas's eyes flashed with a mix of protectiveness and frustration. "Don’t worry. If she tries anything, we’ll take her down again," he said, his tone firm.

Katelyn couldn’t help but smile at his determination. "My honey can be so scary when he wants to be." She playfully smoothed her fingers over Lucas’s furrowed eyebrows.

He chuckled and, in one swift motion, pulled her into his arms. "I can be other things too if you want," he teased.

Katelyn laughed, her face flushing as she leaned into him. "Behave, and maybe later I’ll reward you with a kiss."

Lucas grinned, his voice low and teasing. "Yes, sweetie."

As the day went on, Katelyn's unease grew. Lucy was due back at school the next day, and Katelyn couldn’t ignore the creeping suspicion that she was biding her time for revenge.

"I hope you’re right," Katelyn murmured, as she and Lucas walked toward their last class. "I just hope Lucy stays quiet when she returns tomorrow."

Lucas stopped, pulling her into a tight hug and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Shh... stop worrying. We’ve got this," he whispered, soothing her with his warmth.

Katelyn smiled softly, feeling the tension ease just a bit. "Okay," she agreed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before tugging him toward their class. "Let’s go before the bell rings."

———————————————————————————

Later that afternoon, Mrs. Walters asked Lucas to stay behind after class, leaving Katelyn waiting just outside the door.

“Lucas, have you decided if you’re going to join the Math Team?” Mrs. Walters asked with a smile. “We could really use your help.”

Lucas nodded. “I talked it over with my mom, and I think it’ll help my college application, so yes, I’ll join.”

Mrs. Walters beamed. “That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you’ve decided to be part of the team.”

Lucas glanced around the room. "I saw that you were looking for a Math Club secretary. I had someone in mind for the position."

Mrs. Walters’s smile faltered slightly. “Oh, that’s kind of you, but I’ve already filled the spot.”

Lucas shrugged. “That’s fine. Never mind, then.”

“We meet every Friday after school. Practices usually last two hours,” Mrs. Walters added.

“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lucas said. “Do I need to bring anything?”

“Just that sharp brain of yours,” Mrs. Walters teased.

Lucas chuckled. “Alright, I better get going. It’s getting late, and I’ve got plans.”

After leaving the classroom, Lucas met Katelyn in the hallway, and they walked home together, Lucas filling her in on the details of his decision to join the Math Club. But as they walked, neither noticed that elsewhere, plans were already being made.