The morning light filtered weakly through the kitchen window as River's phone buzzed on the table. Lila, still curled up in a blanket, glanced over just as River's brow furrowed. The screen lit up with an unknown number.
Unknown Number: "Tell River to stay away or things get ugly."
Her stomach twisted into knots.
River's jaw tightened as he read the message. Without looking up, he murmured, "It's Jace."
Lila's fingers found his, squeezing gently. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy. But we'll face it — together."
River nodded, but the tension in his shoulders was unmistakable. He slipped the phone into his pocket, his eyes distant for a moment.
---
School passed like a blur, each hallway and classroom filled with the usual noise but weighed down by an invisible threat. After the final bell, River and Lila walked home along the cracked sidewalk, their steps slow, matching the heavy silence between them.
"Did you tell anyone else?" Lila asked, breaking the quiet.
"No," River said, eyes fixed ahead. "I don't want to drag anyone else into this mess."
Lila glanced at him, her heart aching at the burden he carried alone.
They turned a corner onto their street when a sudden noise made them freeze.
Up ahead, leaning casually against a brick wall, was a group of boys. Their posture was too deliberate, their laughter too sharp. And in the center stood Jace — his cold eyes locking onto River with a predatory gleam.
River's grip on Lila's hand tightened. "Stay behind me," he warned.
Lila swallowed but nodded, refusing to let fear show.
Jace stepped forward, his smirk wide and menacing.
"River," he said smoothly, voice dripping with malice. "You really think you can just run away from me?"
River squared his shoulders, refusing to back down. "I'm not running anymore."
Jace's laugh was low and dangerous. "Good. Because you're going to have to fight."
Lila stepped beside River, voice strong despite the pounding of her heart. "Leave him alone."
Jace's smile twisted, darkening. "Or what? You'll stop me?"
River glanced at Lila — fierce, unwavering — then back to Jace. "Yeah. We will."
The air tightened around them, tension stretching to a breaking point.
Suddenly, Jace lunged toward River, his fist swinging.
River reacted instantly, grabbing Jace's wrist and twisting it hard. A sharp crack echoed, and Jace hissed, releasing his hold.
The other boys started moving in, but Lila's sharp shout made them pause.
"Leave! This isn't worth it!"
Her voice rang with surprising authority, and the hesitation was enough.
Jace glared, eyes burning with rage, but he signaled his group to back off.
"This isn't over," he warned, voice low and threatening.
River didn't respond, only standing protectively in front of Lila, muscles taut but steady.
---
That night, the bruises bloomed in colors of purple and gold across River's arms and jaw, but the pain was nothing compared to the weight in his chest.
Lila sat beside him on her bed, her fingers tracing the marks gently.
"I don't want to fight anymore," River said, voice raw with exhaustion.
"Neither do I," Lila whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder. "But if we have to, we'll fight together."
River turned to her, eyes shining with gratitude and something softer.
"Thank you for standing with me," he said quietly. "I don't think I could do this without you."
"You'll never have to," Lila promised, brushing her lips against his temple.
In the stillness that followed, their hearts beat together — steady, fierce, unbreakable.
Outside, the world kept turning, but inside this small room, they found something stronger than fear.
They found hope.