Part 2I Time-Traveled to Defeat My Boyfriend's Dead Ex, Only to Die Saving Her

Within a single lunch period, I’d managed to get friendly with most of my new classmates.

They were more than happy to share the local gossip.

"Seraphina's mom is terrifying. Like, a total psycho, straight out of a psych ward."

"She forbids anyone from getting close to Sera. She told us if anyone even talks to her, she’ll kill them."

"Sera already had early admission to Yale, but her mom forced her to give it up. She wants Sera to apply the normal way, and she has to be valedictorian with a perfect SAT score."

"She even made our last homeroom teacher cry. He couldn't take it anymore and transferred, that’s why we have Mr. Davison now."

…

From these scattered bits of information, I pieced together a picture of Seraphina’s life.

A single-parent household.

A controlling, mentally unstable mother.

A mandatory six-foot bubble around Seraphina, devoid of any human contact.

I finally understood why she had given up.

Trapped in a suffocating, toxic environment like that for so long… I’m not sure I could have survived it either.

"Just wait until you see her mom at the parent-teacher conference. Lia, you should get away while you still can," a girl named Maya warned.

Just as she said it, Seraphina walked back into the classroom, holding a lunchbox.

Her face was a mask of calm as she returned to her seat.

She opened the box. Inside was a steaming, home-cooked meal. She picked up her spoon and began to eat in silence.

As she raised her arm, her long sleeve slid down, revealing a series of shocking, jagged scars across her wrist.

I stared, frozen.

Those were…

Her senses were razor-sharp. She noticed my gaze instantly.

She didn't say a word, just pulled her sleeve back down with a blank expression, hiding her wrist once more.

An inexplicable tightness formed in my chest.

I wasn’t sure if she had overheard what Maya said when she came in.

After a moment of hesitation, I leaned in and made her a promise. "Don't worry, Seraphina. I'm not switching seats. I'm staying right here."

The movement of her spoon paused for a fraction of a second.

"They're right," she replied, her voice soft. "It would be better for both of us if you moved."

She didn't look at me when she spoke, her eyes fixed on the food in her lunchbox. The steam rose, clinging to her long, curled lashes.

Her expression was so cold, yet she looked like she could shatter into a million pieces.

Her words said go away, but I could have sworn her soul was screaming: Don't leave. Save me.

I spoke with a fierce determination. "What do you mean, no one is allowed within six feet of you? Screw that. I'm getting closer."

And I didn't just get closer. I leaned over and wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug.

"Seraphina," I whispered, "whether you believe me or not, I came here for you."

"Let's be friends, Sera."

If no one else is going to save you, then I will.

And then, I'll beat you, fair and square.