Protected, Not Loved

Prologue

The hallway felt emptier than it actually was. Lockers slammed in the distance, voices echoed, but I moved like I was invisible—like I belonged nowhere and everywhere at once.

Yesterday still burned fresh in my chest. My best friend—the one I trusted with everything—had smiled while taking him away from me. My boyfriend. My heart. Gone. Just like that. And the whole school had watched, whispered, laughed.

I hugged my books tighter, pretending they could shield me from the sting, from the echo of everyone’s eyes on me. I wanted to disappear. Not just from the hallway—but from everything that had made me believe people could be trusted.

Every glance felt heavier than the last. Every passing whisper a knife. I kept my head down, walked faster, told myself that surviving this hallway today was enough. That tomorrow might hurt less. Maybe.

A shiver ran down my spine as I passed the far end of the corridor. For a brief second, I felt like someone was watching. Not the usual curious stares or judgmental glances. Something colder. Sharper. Like the air itself had weight, My pulse quickened. I shook my head and kept walking, telling myself it was just my imagination—but the feeling lingered, unrelenting, a quiet whisper of things yet to come.

By the time I reached the staircase, I could feel it again—a shadow brushing against the edges of my awareness, like the world had tilted slightly, and someone unseen had stepped closer.

My stomach knotted, a mixture of dread and strange anticipation I didn’t want to name.

I wanted to turn, to look, to see if someone was really there. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Instead, I gripped my books tighter, swallowed the lump in my throat, and forced my steps faster, because the one thing I had learned this year was that looking for trouble only ever brought it closer.

Somewhere inside me, a small, stubborn voice whispered that life couldn’t always be this cruel.

But it was. And for now… that had to be enough.

Author’s Note:
Heyyy! This is my first ever published novel, so I’d really appreciate your feedback and suggestions 🤧.

Please, do not post hurtful comments or copy my work. If you don’t enjoy the book, kindly remove it from your library and let others enjoy it.

Btw, sorry for the short prologue—I’m still working on my writing, but longer chapters are coming soon!

Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy my book.

Xoxo, Naylix 💖