Vance stormed into the classroom, a scowl etched deep into his features. The teacher, Mr. Fields, recognized him instantly, her lecture of arrival time sinking back into her throat as she saw the familiar face of Vance Hopper, his notorious reputation had wisely made her choose to ignore his late entrance. Today was not a day to pick a fight with Vance Hopper.
Adira's heart sank when she heard the commotion. She had secretly hoped that Vance might have decided to just skip Bio after their encounter in the halls, but apparently luck was not on her side. She glanced up briefly as he entered the room, his presence had made the class fall silent. Some of the students avoided looking at him completely while some would send small, nervous glances his way, occasionally whispering to their friends.
Vance, however, paid no attention to the whispers and sideways glances from their classmates. He slid into the chair behind Adira, stretched out his legs, and leaned back, adopting a posture of nonchalance that bordered on defiance. His books remained unopened, and his stationery untouched.
As Mr. Fields launched into the lecture, the tension in the classroom became almost suffocating. Whispers and sidelong glances were exchanged among the students, the focus shifted from the lesson to the brewing turmoil between Adira and Vance. It was clear that they had all either seen the fight the night before, or they had heard about it from someone. The town was so small, as soon as something happened, it wouldn't take long before everyone knew about it.
Adira, trying her best to focus on her notes, couldn't help but feel the weight of their classmates' stares. Vance had started doodling in one of his books, the sound of his harsh scribbling echoing through the class room. He would occasionally look up at one of the kids whispering about him, sending them a look that made them sink in their seats
It didn't take long for Vance to break the silence. His voice was a low, gruff growl, making Adira's heart race. "I'm sorry for yelling at you in the halls. it was fucked and I'm sorry" he grumbled, irritation dripping from every word. Not irritation with her, but for himself... when he thought back to the look on her face when he slammed his hand onto the locker.
It was the same look that she got when she was around Theodore.
Adira hesitated for a moment, her pen hovering above her notebook. She took a deep breath before deciding to continue writing as if she hadn't heard him. "It's fine. It isn't a big deal I already forgot about it," she replied in a voice barely above a whisper.
Vance scoffed, leaning closer so his words would carry to her ear. "Don't lie to me, Adira. Stop pretending shit like that is okay. I don't get it. Why do you let people treat you like that and then say it's fine? You were trying to help me, and I..." His voice trailed off, a mixture of frustration and regret bubbling within.
She let out a soft sigh, still refusing to meet his gaze as she scribbled down notes. "You didn't have to lose your temper like that, Vance. I was only trying to help," she admitted, her voice quivering slightly. "But I also shouldn't have pushed you. You said you didn't want help and I ignored that. It was my fault."
He leaned even closer, his voice barely more than a whisper. "It wasn't you fucking fault Adira," Vance replied, his tone filled with frustration and regret. "I messed up, okay? I've got my own issues, and I shouldn't have taken them out on you."
Adira finally turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting Vance's for the first time since their confrontation at the lockers. "Just..." she whispered, struggling to figure out what to say, "you shouldn't get into so many fights all the time... I hate seeing you get hurt all the time."
He leaned back into his seat, rolling his eyes as he hid the smirk that was itching to take over his lips. "you know that isn't gonna happen," Vance whispered, a small chuckle falling from his lips, and for a moment, the air felt lighter, as if the unspoken tension had been momentarily dispelled.
Feeling a bit more at ease, Vance leaned back in his chair, surveying the classroom. Whispers still buzzed around them, their classmates stealing glances and speculating. He leaned closer to Adira, his voice low. "I fucking know that stupid prick of a guy you're dating is the reason you have that black eye, the whole baseball tale you've been telling everyone is a load of shit."
Adira paused, her pen suspended in the air. "You're wrong," she said softly, her left knee beginning to bob up and down anxiously, something that didn't go unnoticed by Vance. "Theo would never hurt me."
Their private conversation hadn't gone unnoticed. Chrissy, who sat a few desks away, leaned over to her friend Zoe and whispered, "Something's definitely going on between those two. Did you see how Vance defended her last night?"
Zoe nodded, her interest piqued. "Yeah, it was intense. Didn't you say that the two of them were super close growing up. Do you think...?"
Chrissy raised an eyebrow, thoughts racing. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out." She looked over at her friend who had muttered something to Vance before turning back around in her seat, looking back down at her book
Vance leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "You know, you don't have to be scared of me, Adira. I'd never hurt you." But they were so terribly familiar
Adira's heart swelled at his words, her gaze locked onto his. "I know," she whispered, her voice filled with both worry and hope. "But sometimes, I worry about you. I've seen what you're capable of."
Vance's gaze softened, "I won't let anyone hurt you, Adira. I'm done just fucking watching him push you around," he vowed, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Adira shook her head, "Its better if you dont interfere Vance," she told him, her voice desperate.
Vance shook his head angrily, "He shouldn't be f-
Their conversation was interrupted by the teacher, who had apparently noticed their dwindling focus. "Mr. Hopper, Ms. Argent, perhaps your discussion can wait until after class," she admonished, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Adira quickly straightened up in her seat, her face flushing with embarrassment while Vance just scoffed loudly, rolling his eyes as he threw himself back into his chair. Adira turned to him one last time, "dont do anything Vance, you'll only make it worse. Besides... we aren't friends anymore, you dont owe me anything."
As the class finally ended, Adira quickly gathered her belongings, hopping to rush right out of class so that Vance wouldn't try and talk to her again. Chrissy, Zoe, and Jamie, who had been observing their interactions closely, approached Adira as they exited the classroom. "So, what's going on with you two?" Chrissy asked with a sly grin.
Adira looked at her friends in confusion, "Nothing. We were just talking."
Jamie raised an eyebrow. "Talking? Looked more like whispering sweet nothings to me."
Adira rolled her eyes, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the attention. "We're just... talking. He just apologised for yelling at me earlier," she said calmly.
Zoe grinned. "Well, that's nice to hear. Don't think Vance has ever apologised to anyone."
Chrissy nodded in agreement. "What was he yelling at you earlier for though?"
Adira just shrugged her shoulders softly. "I pissed him off and he got mad."
Chrissy and her friends exchanged knowing glances, but they didn't press Adira further. They understood that the situation was complicated, and Adira wasn't ready to share the whole truth. Instead, they changed the subject, talking about their plans for the upcoming weekend and the latest gossip around town.
During lunch break, Adira sat with her friends in the courtyard, stealing occasional glances at Vance, who was sitting with his friend under a tree, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Chrissy, Zoe, and Jamie noticed her wandering gaze.
Chrissy nudged Adira with a sly grin. "Still thinking about Vance?"
Adira blinked a few times, hastily returning her attention to her friends. "No! I mean, he's... I'm just trying to figure out why he started talking to me again all the sudden... I mean sure we've occasionally shared words here and there over the last few years but we haven't really had a proper conversation."
Zoe chuckled. "You know, maybe he likes you."
Jamie added, "Zoe's right I mean, youre a good looking girl, not to mention you've got big ass ti-."
Adira shoved her friend quickly, her eyes wide, "Jame, dont say shit like that," she cursed, her face going pink
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Vance and Adira found themselves leaving their last class together. Vance broke the silence between them. "Do you need a ride home?" he offered, his rough voice startling her.
Adira hesitated, she didn't have a ride home and she didn't really want to walk home alone at the moment while the grabber was around, but at the same time, she knew that her boyfriend would lose his shit if he found out she had accepted a ride from Vance. "I have a ride," she replied, referring to Theodore, her volatile boyfriend.
Vance's eyes darkened momentarily, a shadow of concern passing over his face. "Adira, if he ever..."
Adira cut him off, her voice firm. "It's complicated, Vance. But I'll handle it."
They walked out of the school building into the parking lot. Vance's battered old truck was parked nearby, its rusty exterior standing in stark contrast to the other, more pristine vehicles. As they approached the truck, Vance unlocked the passenger side door.
Adira paused, torn between her loyalty to Theodore and her fear of walking home alone. She looked at Vance, her eyes filled with unspoken emotions. "Thanks, Vance, but I'll stick to my own ride today."
Vance nodded, unsurely. "Your choice Argent."
Adira forced a smile, "Thanks for the offer anyways."
Vance went to get in the car, fighting with himself over what to say next. He finally turned to her, his eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and longing. "Adira," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I can't stand seeing you hurt. It's driving me insane."
Adira's gaze met his, and she swallowed hard. "It my problem Vance... you shouldn't worry about things that aren't in your control."
"I can stop it Adira, I can stop him," Vance argued
Adira looked around nervously, making sure no one was within earshot. She took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice barely audible. "Vance, Theo. He... he gets angry, and things escalate. But I can handle it. I just need to be careful."
Vance clenched his fists, his frustration and concern evident. "Adira, this isn't right. You deserve better."
Adira's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly wiped them away. "No I dont... it's complicated. I can't just leave him. I need to figure this out on my own."
Vance's anger flared, and he stepped closer to Adira, his voice stern. "You don't have to figure it out on your own. Quit being stubborn and just let me deal with it."
Adira looked up at Vance, her expression torn between gratitude and fear. "Vance, please, promise me you won't do anything rash. It'll only make things worse."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Theo, who had been looking for Adira. His expression darkened as he saw her talking to Vance. He approached them with a scowl. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his voice dripping with anger.
Adira quickly stepped back, putting some distance between herself and Vance. She forced a smile and replied, "Nothing, Theo. Vance just left his book in class and I was returning it."
Theo's eyes bore into Vance, and he sneered. "Oh yeah that's believable," Theo sneers sarcastically, "You better watch yourself, Hopper."
Vance clenched his fists.
Theo's possessiveness was palpable, and he grabbed Adira's arm roughly. "Let's go, Adira. We're leaving."