Lucas wrapped his arm around Lucy’s waist as she leaned heavily on his shoulder, pretending to limp down the hallway. Every few steps, she would fall into his side, exaggerating her stumble. Lucas, trying to be polite, said nothing, though his patience was wearing thin.

Suddenly, Katelyn appeared at the end of the hallway, walking toward them. Her eyes locked onto the scene in front of her—Lucy clinging to Lucas—and a wave of irritation surged through her. She quickly masked her anger with a sweet smile, rushing over to them.

“Oh no, Lucy, are you okay?” Katelyn asked, her voice dripping with concern.

Lucy grumbled under her breath. “I’m fine. My ankle just hurts.”

Katelyn wasn’t fooled for a second. She could see right through Lucy’s little performance and knew exactly how to derail her plan.

“How did you hurt yourself?” Katelyn asked innocently, watching Lucy closely.

“You know me,” Lucy said with a forced laugh. “Clumsy as always. I wasn’t paying attention and ran into Lucas by accident.”

“Really? Well, you can be clumsy sometimes,” Katelyn agreed, giving her a sweet smile before turning her attention to Lucas. “Lucas?”

“Yeah, Katie?” Lucas responded softly, his tone gentle, as if speaking to her made everything else fade away.

Lucy’s jaw clenched. She didn’t miss the way Lucas’s entire demeanor softened for Katelyn, nor did she miss the unmistakable look of affection in his eyes when he gazed at her. It made Lucy’s blood boil.

Katelyn’s ruining everything! Lucy thought angrily. I won’t let her take him from me.

“Mrs. Walters is looking for you, Luke,” Katelyn continued, keeping her tone casual. “I can take Lucy to the nurse.”

Relief flashed across Lucas’s face. “Sure,” he said quickly. “Here, you take her.” He handed Lucy off to Katelyn without hesitation, almost too eagerly.

Lucy was livid, practically shoved onto Katelyn as Lucas stepped back. “Oww, it hurts,” she whined, glaring at Lucas. “I don’t think Katelyn’s strong enough to help me to the nurse.”

“Sorry, but I have to go. I don’t want to keep Mrs. Walters waiting,” Lucas said, sidestepping Lucy’s attempt to guilt him.

“She’s my aunt—she’ll understand if you’re helping me!” Lucy protested, her voice taking on a desperate edge.

Lucas shook his head. “I better not risk it.”

Katelyn, now fully enjoying the turn of events, smirked. “Don’t worry, Lucy. I can handle it.”

Lucy’s face twisted in frustration, but all she could muster was a growled, “Whatever.”

Katelyn’s smirk deepened, knowing she had effectively ruined Lucy’s plan. But she wasn’t done yet. She wanted to make sure Lucy understood exactly where she stood.

“Lucas?” Katelyn called sweetly as he began to walk away.

“Yeah?” Lucas turned back, his expression warm.

“I’ll see you at the end of the day. We can walk home together,” Katelyn said, giving him a soft smile.

Lucas’s smile brightened. “Okay. I can’t wait.”

“Me neither,” Katelyn replied, her eyes twinkling.

As soon as Lucas was out of sight, Lucy’s frustration reached its boiling point. She scowled at Katelyn, then suddenly stood up, shoving her away.

“Let me help you,” Katelyn said, grabbing for Lucy’s arm.

“I don’t need your damn help!” Lucy spat, slapping Katelyn’s hand away. “Let go of me.”

Katelyn raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “I can’t let an injured person suffer.”

“I’m not injured, you idiot!” Lucy snapped, her voice rising. “I’m fine!”

Katelyn narrowed her eyes. “I knew you were faking.”

Lucy straightened, glaring. “Yeah, so what?”

Katelyn leaned in slightly, her voice low but firm. “I’m only going to say this once: it’s time for you to back off, or you’re going to embarrass yourself.”

Lucy’s nostrils flared, her eyes flashing with anger. “Fuck off! You don’t tell me—Lucy Walters—what to do!” she hissed, jabbing her finger into Katelyn’s arm.

Katelyn’s lips curled into a smirk. “Suit yourself. But don’t blame me when you end up making a fool of yourself.” Her words were calm, almost too calm, as if she knew exactly how this would play out.

With a furious stomp, Lucy stormed off down the hall, her anger radiating in every step. Katelyn’s final words echoed after her, only stoking her rage further.

“Screw you!” Lucy yelled, her voice bouncing off the walls as she disappeared down the corridor.

Katelyn just laughed quietly to herself, knowing she had won this round. Lucy Walters could try all she wanted, Katelyn thought, but Lucas had made his choice. And Katelyn wasn’t about to let anyone come between her and the person she was growing closer to every day.