The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

Jason’s POV:

I’ve never had trouble controlling my anger, but today was different. As I watched the class taunt Ella, mocking her with their smug grins and whispered insults, fury surged through me like a wildfire. Goddammit, I wanted to punch every single one of them for even daring to look her way. The rage was hard to keep in check, and it was taking everything in me not to lash out.

As soon as the class ended, I grabbed my books and quickly followed her. Dylan and Max flanked me, but neither of them said much—they knew I wasn’t in the mood for casual conversation. My eyes darted around the hallway, giving out murderous glares to anyone who so much as coughed in her direction. They all backed off, knowing better than to mess with me when I was like this.

Ella was ahead of us, walking with her usual calm, but I could tell from the way she moved that she wasn’t oblivious to the stares and whispers. Then, just as she was about to enter her next class, a voice rang out in the hallway.

"Ella! To the dean’s office, now!"

I froze. Fuck. Of course, Amber’s bullshit would escalate this fast. The rumor she started was spreading like wildfire, and now it had reached the administration. I could see Ella pause, but she didn’t even look back. She just changed direction and headed toward the dean’s office, her face unreadable.

I knew I had to do something. This was getting out of hand, and it was my fault, even if I didn’t directly cause it. Amber had done this to impress me or whatever twisted reason she had, but I never wanted things to go this far.

Max nudged me. "You think they’re gonna expel her?"

I clenched my jaw. "No way. They don’t have anything on her."

But deep down, I wasn’t so sure. This school was known for covering its ass, and if the rumor got too big, they might throw her under the bus just to save face. I couldn’t let that happen.

"Dude, you better fix this," Dylan added. "Ella doesn’t deserve this crap."

I didn’t need them to tell me. My chest tightened as I watched her disappear into the dean’s office. I didn’t know how, but I was going to make this right—before everything got worse.

And Amber... well, she had no idea what kind of trouble she just dragged herself into.

Ella’s POV:

So much for not seeking attention. As soon as I sat down, the dean asked me to remove my mask and hoodie. Her tone was polite, but the question hanging in the air wasn’t. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Does the surname Kingsley mean the real Kingsley we read about in business news?" she asked.

I mentally sighed. Of course, my father’s name would come up, given that he’s plastered all over the business sections every other day. I hated that. I wasn’t at this university to be "the Kingsley heir," but apparently, people were already making assumptions.

I dodged her question. "I’d rather not discuss my family," I said, keeping my voice steady. The last thing I needed was more attention, especially not linked to my father.

The dean respected that, but she wasn’t done. She moved on to the matter at hand: my supposed "involvement" with certain men in the administration department. I could feel my blood boil when she mentioned the baseless rumor about how I "obtained" my spot at this prestigious university.

"Prestigious," she called it. Yeah, right.

She asked me to remove my mask again, but I stood my ground. I wasn’t going to strip away the little privacy I had left.

"I’m not comfortable removing my hoodie or mask," I said firmly. Thankfully, she didn’t push. She shifted gears and demanded an explanation for how I’d secured my placement.

That’s when I pulled out the big guns: my grades and the full-year tuition receipt. The grades, as always, were nothing short of spectacular, and the tuition receipt showed I’d paid for the whole damn year—without any scholarships or "favors." I slid the documents across her desk and watched her eyes widen as she reviewed them.

"Your grades are indeed impressive," she said, her voice slightly more respectful. "And the tuition has been paid in full. It appears there is no basis to the rumors regarding your admission."

I leaned back in my chair. "That’s exactly what I’ve been saying," I replied. "I didn’t need any scholarship. I had the money and the grades. So, whoever’s spreading these lies has no idea what they’re talking about."

The dean looked uneasy now, realizing that whoever had started this rumor wasn’t just smearing my name—they were also dragging the reputation of the university through the mud.

"I understand," she said. "This rumor has clearly damaged your reputation and the institution’s credibility. I will personally investigate this matter and take appropriate action against whoever is responsible. Your name will be cleared."

I gave a slight nod, but inside, I was still boiling. Amber or whoever started this mess thought they could ruin me, but they underestimated me. They had no idea what I was capable of when pushed.

The dean might do her part, but I had my own plans. This wasn’t over—not by a long shot.

As I stepped out of the dean’s office, feeling somewhat victorious after clearing my name, I immediately came face-to-face with Jason. Great, just what I needed. The moment our eyes met, I stopped short. He was standing right there, looking at me like he was in some kind of panic. His face was pale, eyes wide. He was standing there like a nervous wreck, his eyes darting around like a man whose wife was in labor. Seriously, what was his deal?

For a second, neither of us spoke. I could see his jaw clench and unclench as if he was searching for the right words but couldn’t find them. His eyes scanned me, probably checking if I looked like I’d just been through hell. Well, I had, but I wasn’t about to show it.

"Jason," I said coolly, crossing my arms and giving him a look that could cut glass. "Why do you look like you’re about to pass out?"

His eyes locked on mine, and before I could add or say anything else, he blurted out, "What did the dean want? Tell me you’re not expelled?"

I raised an eyebrow, more out of amusement than anything. "Oh, really? Is that what you were hoping for?"

"Fuck, Ella, you know I don’t— I didn’t..." he stammered, looking like a puppy who had just been caught doing something wrong. "Did she expel you? If she did, I’ll talk to her. Let me go in and—"

Before he could finish, he actually started moving toward the dean’s office like he was about to storm in and fix everything. What the hell? Did he seriously think I was some damsel in distress waiting for a knight in shining armor to swoop in and save the day? How original.

I stepped in front of him and held up my hand, stopping him in his tracks. "I don’t need your help, Jason. I can deal with my own problems, thanks. Just keep that girlfriend of yours away from me."

His face scrunched up in confusion. "She’s not my girlfriend..."

I snorted. "Oh, your pet, then. Keep her on a leash." I threw him a pointed look before brushing past him, leaving him standing there speechless.

I had no time for his theatrics. Not today. Not ever.

After that encounter with Jason, I had no interest in rushing to my second class, especially since it was practically over by now. There was no point. Instead, I decided to head to the library and pass the time before my next class. I had almost an hour to burn, and the library was the perfect place to waste it—quiet, secluded, and, most importantly, jerk-free.

As I walked into the library, the calming smell of old books and paper instantly hit me. This was my sanctuary, my little escape from all the drama and chaos that had become my life recently. I found a spot in the far corner, hidden away from the main traffic. No one would bother me here.

I slid into a seat, pulled out a book from my bag—one I had been meaning to finish for weeks but never got around to. The world outside could wait. Here, I was in control, away from all the bullshit. Jason, Amber, the rumors, all of it faded into the background.

For the next hour, it would just be me, my book, and the silence. A perfect reset before facing whatever was coming next.

I pulled my hoodie lower over my head, sinking deeper into my little world. With my earbuds in place, the music blaring in my ears, it was almost like I could block out the entire universe. Perfect. If only life could always be this way—quiet, peaceful, and on my own terms.

No gossip, no rumors, no drama. Just me and the steady rhythm of the music, the soft shuffle of pages in the background, and the comforting embrace of my hoodie.

The world outside the library didn’t matter for now. Jason, Amber, their ridiculous games—they were a problem for future me. Right now, I had an hour of peace, and I was going to savor every minute of it.

If only life could stay this simple, this quiet.