Mom Came Back From the Dead to Warn Me About the Boy I Almost Chose Chapter 03

Mom Came Back From the Dead to Warn Me About the Boy I Almost Chose Chapter 03

Seeing Lily on the verge of tears, Leo’s heart softened instantly. “Alright, Lily. It was just an accident. Claire won’t blame you.”

As he spoke, he helped Lily to her feet, then turned to me with clear irritation. “It’s just a scrape. Stop making such a big deal out of it.”

My arm burned with pain, but I forced myself up, biting back tears.

Lily sniffled pitifully. “Claire, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention while riding my bike. How about I hit myself once so you can feel better?”

She raised her hand as if to slap herself. Leo immediately grabbed her wrist, shooting me an annoyed look. “Claire, she already apologized. Do you really have to keep pushing it?”

My mom sounded even angrier inside my head. “Unbelievable. My sweet girl hasn’t even said a word, and that little actress is already putting on a whole show. Honey, don’t you dare let this slide.”

I had always listened to my mom.

So I lifted my hand and shoved Lily hard.

She fell straight to the ground.

Then I looked at Leo. “That’s what not letting it go looks like. My mom taught me that.”

Lily sat there, stunned.

Leo froze too, shock flashing across his young face before it turned into anger. “Claire, you…”

I raised my hand again and pushed him as well. “And that’s what crossing the line looks like.”

Ever since I’d met him, I had always gone along with whatever he wanted. I had never pushed back.

That one move completely threw him off.

Leo stared at me in disbelief, his face flushing red with anger. “Fine. You’re unbelievable. If you’re going to act like this, don’t regret it later.”

“Come on, Lily. I’ll take you to the nurse’s office.”

My mom scoffed. “Ignoring the one who got hurt and fussing over the one who caused it. If you end up as family with a clueless boy like that, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Oh honey, that must hurt so much.”

I lowered my head, staring at the blood seeping from my palm. The frustration I’d been holding back finally broke through.

Every time I got hurt before, Leo would panic, wishing he could take the pain for me.

Maybe those moments weren’t completely fake.

But right now, he didn’t even glance at my injury. All he cared about was protecting Lily.

The more I thought about it, the more my mom’s words felt true.

Even if he really did become my brother, it would probably turn into exactly the kind of tragedy she warned me about.

I wiped my tears and went to the nurse’s office to get my scraped hand treated.

A few of the nurses were gathered by the window, peering out toward the field. Curious, I followed their gaze.

Lily and Leo were standing behind the basketball hoop, whispering to each other. Lily tugged on the hem of Leo’s shirt, acting spoiled.

“Leo, if Claire finds out you’re only pretending to have amnesia so you can hang out with me, she’s definitely going to be mad.”

Leo casually ruffled her hair. “Let her be mad. She likes hanging out with me the most anyway. Even if I pretend to have amnesia, she’ll still come begging to be my friend.”

“In your dreams,” my mom snapped in my head. “My girl didn’t choose you this time. Just wait until the announcement. Let’s see if you’re still so smug.”

My face twisted into a miserable pout as I cradled my freshly bandaged hand and walked back toward the classroom.

Just then, a scream suddenly erupted from the field.

“Upperclassmen are fighting! Someone go get a teacher!”

The entire field descended into chaos.

I instinctively tried to run, but one of the older boys crashed into me, knocking me to the ground. The broom handle in his hand swung straight toward my head.

I had learned a few self-defense moves from my dad, but I was still small and weak.

When I saw Leo glance in this direction, I shouted desperately, “Leo! Help me!”