The Good Guy

Alex Monroe noticed things.

He noticed when Jake Romano started showing up to class early—something that had never happened before. He noticed the way Jake’s eyes always sought out Lydia, like she was the only person in the room. And most of all, he noticed how Lydia’s shoulders had slowly begun to hunch, like she was bracing herself for an impact that hadn’t come yet—but would.

Alex didn’t like it.

He sat beside her in Math class that day, casually placing his textbook between them and Jake’s hovering presence a few rows behind.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

Lydia nodded. Too quickly.

“Hey,” Alex said, more firmly this time, “you don’t have to pretend with me.”

She hesitated, then gave a small, tired smile. “It’s nothing.”

“Jake Romano is not nothing.”

Her eyes flicked up in alarm. “Don’t say that too loud.”

Alex leaned back in his chair. “Why? Afraid he’ll break my nose?”

“He might.”

Alex smirked. “Let him try.”

Lydia’s lips twitched, almost a smile. And for a brief moment, she remembered what it felt like to breathe.

---

Jake watched them from across the room.

He didn’t hear what they said, but he didn’t need to. The way Alex leaned in, the way Lydia softened—it was enough to make his jaw tighten.

Who the hell did that boy think he was?

Jake had never cared about competition. Because there was never any. But seeing Lydia—his Lydia—smiling at someone else?

That was unacceptable.

The final bell rang, and students gathered their things. Jake didn’t move.

Alex turned to Lydia. “Walk with me?”

She hesitated.

Then nodded.

Jake’s fingers curled into fists.

---

They walked down the quiet hallway, Lydia clutching her books close.

“Jake’s dangerous,” Alex said once they were alone. “Everyone knows it. But you… I don’t think you realize just how deep it goes.”

“I do,” she said quietly.

Alex glanced at her. “Then why let him near you?”

She stopped walking. “You think I have a choice?”

“Maybe not with who your dad works for, or the school’s politics. But with me, you do. I can help you. If he’s bothering you, say the word. I’ll get you out.”

Lydia looked at him, really looked, and for the first time in a while, felt a flicker of safety.

“You’re kind, Alex. But you don’t understand—he’s not just dangerous. He’s everywhere.”

Alex nodded. “Then we’ll face him together.”

It was brave. Foolish, maybe. But it warmed something in her chest.

Unfortunately, it didn’t go unnoticed.

---

Jake leaned against the black Mercedes in the parking lot, arms crossed, watching them approach.

“Lydia,” he said, calm but firm.

She froze. Alex moved slightly in front of her.

“Going somewhere with him?” Jake asked, cool gaze shifting to Alex. “That’s cute.”

“I don’t belong to you,” Lydia said quietly.

Jake pushed off the car and walked toward her. “No. But you will.”