The gym smelled like rubber mats, sweat, and the cheap citrus cleaner the janitors used every morning. The kind of smell that stuck in your throat and reminded you that nothing here was soft or glamorous. Cheer practice wasn't glitter and smiles. It was bruises, strained muscles, and girls fighting for attention.

"Again!"

Coach Marlene's voice sliced through the room like a whistle.

She stood in the center of the gym floor with a clipboard tucked under her arm, her dark afro bouncing slightly every time she moved her head. Her sharp eyes scanned every movement like a hawk watching weak prey.

"Your timing is sloppy," she continued. "You want to cheer for the Ridgewood Wolves, not embarrass them."

Ridgewood High.

The school where Dave Walker ruled like a king no one dared challenge.

I swallowed quietly and tightened my grip on my pom-poms.

Focus, Nina. Just focus.

"Formation!" Coach Marlene clapped loudly.

Pom-poms rustled as the cheerleaders rushed into position.

The polished gym floor reflected the bright overhead lights, and for a second, my reflection stared back at me blonde ponytail tied high, black-and-gold uniform hugging my waist, short pleated skirt brushing the middle of my thighs.

I hated how small I looked in this mirror.

"Five, six, seven, eight!"

We jumped into motion.

Left arm high.

Right arm punch.

Turn.

Kick.

Clap.

The rhythm pounded in my ears as we shouted the chant in perfect timing.

"Wolves! Wolves! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

My muscles burned as we repeated the routine again and again.

Cheerleading looked cute from the stands.

But up close?

It felt like war.

"Stop."

Coach Marlene's command froze everyone instantly.

Her gaze slid slowly across the formation before landing on me.

"Better," she said shortly.

Then she looked toward the back line.

"And Veronica."

A slow pause.

"Fix your attitude."

A soft wave of whispers rippled across the cheerleaders.

Because everyone knew Veronica Hill hated being corrected.

And right now, her perfectly glossed lips curled into a thin smile that wasn't really a smile.

"Of course, Coach," Veronica said sweetly.

But the moment Coach Marlene turned away, Veronica's eyes shifted toward me.

Cold.

Sharp.

Judging.

Her arms folded over her chest as she walked closer, the other girls trailing behind her like loyal shadows.

"Well," Veronica said slowly. "Look who suddenly thinks she belongs here."

Her friends giggled quietly.

I tightened my grip on the pom-poms.

"Did I say something funny?" I asked flatly.

Veronica tilted her head.

"You didn't have to."

Her eyes dropped briefly to my uniform.

"You just showed up."

More giggles.

I kept my face calm.

Inside, though, my chest burned.

Because Veronica Hill didn't just hate me.

She saw me as competition.

And she made sure everyone knew it.

"You know," Veronica continued lazily, "some people join cheerleading because they love the sport."

She stepped closer.

"And some people join because they want attention from the rugby team."

Her friends snorted.

"Especially from the quarterback."

The words hung in the air.

Dave Walker.

Even hearing his name made something tight twist in my stomach.

I forced a dry laugh.

"Trust me," I said calmly. "Dave Walker is the last person I want attention from."

"Really?" Veronica murmured.

Her smile sharpened.

"Because from where I'm standing..."

She leaned closer.

"...you looked pretty comfortable arguing with him yesterday."

My jaw clenched.

Of course.

The hallway fight had already spread across the entire school.

Rumors traveled faster than oxygen at Ridgewood High.

Before I could answer-

The gym doors opened.

And the noise outside suddenly poured in.

Heavy footsteps.

Male voices.

Laughter.

My stomach dropped instantly.

Because I already knew who it was.

The rugby team.

Veronica's friends straightened immediately, whispering excitedly.

"Oh my god..."

"They're here..."

"Dave's here."

The players walked in like they owned the building.

Tall.

Broad.

Confident.

Black and gold practice jerseys stretched across powerful shoulders as they crossed the gym floor.

Six of them.

Six wolves.

But even among them

Dave Walker stood out.

He walked in the center of the group like gravity pulled everything toward him.

His dark hair was messy like he'd run a hand through it too many times. His jaw was sharp enough to cut glass, and the faint shadow of stubble along his chin made him look older than a high school senior.

His sleeves were rolled halfway up his arms.

And the tattoos along his skin moved with every step.

Black ink.

Sharp lines.

Wolf carvings twisting around muscle.

He looked dangerous.

Like the kind of person who didn't break rules.

He broke people.

My heart hated how fast it suddenly started beating.

"Relax," one of his teammates laughed. "It's just cheer practice."

Dave didn't answer.

His hands were shoved deep in his pockets as his eyes slowly scanned the gym.

Then

They landed on me.

My stomach twisted.

He stared for exactly two seconds.

Cold.

Unimpressed.

Then he looked away like I wasn't worth the energy.

A few cheerleaders sighed dramatically.

Veronica flipped her hair immediately, stepping forward like she'd been waiting for this moment all day.

"Hey Dave," she purred.

He didn't respond.

He just grabbed a water bottle from the cooler and took a long drink.

One of the players elbowed him lightly.

"Your fan club is calling."

Dave glanced lazily toward Veronica.

His eyebrow lifted slightly.

"Oh."

One word.

Flat.

Uninterested.

Veronica's smile faltered for half a second.

The rest of the team laughed quietly.

My lips almost twitched.

Serves her right.

But then Dave's eyes shifted back to me.

Slow.

Sharp.

And this time, his gaze lingered.

Like he was studying something he didn't trust.

Something he didn't like.

I looked away first.

Because I refused to give him the satisfaction.

Still

Even without looking at him

I could feel his stare.

Heavy.

Unsettling.

Like a storm cloud waiting to break.

Across the gym floor, whispers started again.

"Is that the girl who fought Dave yesterday?"

"Yeah."

"She's crazy."

"No one talks to him like that."

"Especially not a human."

The word human made something cold crawl up my spine.

Because they weren't wrong.

Most students here didn't know.

But some of us did.

Dave Walker and his five teammates weren't normal boys.

They were wolves.

Real ones.

And something about the way Dave was looking at me right now

Made my instincts scream one terrifying thought.

This rivalry between us?

It was only just beginn

Practice finally ended with the loud echo of Coach Marlene's whistle cutting through the gym.

"That's enough for today!" she called out, clapping her hands once. "Stretch and clear out."

The cheerleaders immediately broke formation, the tight tension in the room dissolving into chatter and laughter. Pom-poms dropped onto the benches, water bottles opened, and sneakers squeaked against the polished floor.

I sat down on the edge of the bench and rubbed the back of my neck.

My muscles ached.

Cheerleading looked pretty from the stands.

But the truth?

It hurt.

"Girl, you did good today."

Tessan Moore dropped beside me, breathless from practice. Her curly dark hair bounced wildly around her shoulders, and she wiped sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her hoodie.

Tessan had been my best friend since freshman year.

Loud.

Fearless.

And way too obsessed with the rugby team.

Especially one particular player.

Her eyes suddenly widened as she grabed me by my arm.

"Oh my God."

"What?" I muttered tiredly.

"They're still here."

I didn't need to ask who they were.

Across the gym, the rugby team leaned against the wall near the entrance. They were laughing loudly, tossing a ball between them, their presence filling the entire space like a storm cloud.

Six of them.

And right in the center

Dave Walker.

He leaned against the brick wall with one shoulder, arms crossed loosely over his chest.

Relaxed.

Dangerous.

Untouchable.

His teammates joked loudly around him, but Dave barely laughed. Instead, he watched the room with those heavy, unreadable eyes.

Like he was bored.

Like everything here existed beneath him.

Tessan squeezed my arm harder.

"Do you realize Dave Walker is literally standing twenty feet away from us?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Trust me," I muttered, "I noticed."

Her voice dropped into an excited whisper.

"He's the captain of the rugby team."

"I know."

"He's basically the hottest guy in this entire school."

"Debatable."

Tessan gasped dramatically.

"Debatable?! Nina, are you blind?"

"Or maybe I just have taste."

She shook her head in disbelief.

"You literally fought him yesterday."

"And?"

"And you're still alive."

I smirked faintly.

"Disappointing, right?"

Before Tessan could answer

A shadow suddenly fell over us.

"Well, well."

That voice.

Smooth.

Sweet.

Fake.

I didn't even need to look up.

Veronica Hill stood in front of us with her arms folded across her chest. Her perfectly styled hair fell over one shoulder, and her glossy lips curved into a thin smile.

Her entire group of cheerleader friends stood behind her.

Watching.

Judging.

Waiting.

"Practice is over," Veronica said slowly. "You can stop trying so hard now."

Tessan rolled her eyes immediately.

"Oh look," she muttered loudly. "The plastic princess has arrived."

Veronica ignored her.

Her eyes were locked on me.

"You know something interesting?" she said calmly.

I stayed silent.

Veronica leaned slightly closer.

"My boyfriend told me something funny earlier."

My stomach tightened.

I already knew where this was going.

"He said someone's been acting like she belongs here," Veronica continued. "Like she's suddenly important."

Her smile sharpened.

"But the truth?"

She tilted her head.

"You're just a temporary replacement."

Tessan stood up instantly.

"Back off, Veronica."

But Veronica wasn't looking at her.

Her gaze remained fixed on me.

And right then

Another voice cut across the gym.

"Veronica."

My heart dropped.

Because I knew that voice too.

Slowly, I turned my head.

Jason Reed walked toward us from the far side of the gym.

Tall.

Athletic.

The kind of guy teachers loved and girls admired.

My boyfriend.

Or at least

He was supposed to be.

He stopped beside Veronica.

Too close.

Way too close.

Veronica's smile widened slightly.

"Hey, Jason."

The air around us suddenly felt thick.

Uncomfortable.

Tessan looked between them, confusion flashing across her face.

Jason barely glanced at me.

Instead, he looked at Veronica.

"You ready?" he asked.

Ready?

For what?

My chest tightened painfully.

"Ready for what?" I asked quietly.

Jason finally looked at me.

But there was something different in his eyes.

Something distant.

Something cold.

"For the party tonight," he said casually.

Veronica slid her arm through his.

Like it belonged there.

"Oh relax, Nina," she said sweetly. "You're not invited."

A few cheerleaders snickered.

My ears started ringing.

"jason ," I said slowly.

He didn't pull his arm away.

Didn't move.

Didn't even look uncomfortable.

And that was when it hit me.

The crack in the perfect picture.

The thing everyone else probably already knew.

Except me.

"We should go," Jason said to Veronica.

Then he walked away with her.

Just like that.

Leaving me standing there.

Tessan stared after them in disbelief.

"What the hell was that?"

I forced a dry laugh.

"I don't know."

But deep down

I did.

Across the gym, someone chuckled quietly.

I didn't want to look.

But I did anyway.

Dave Walker still leaned against the wall.

Watching.

His eyes met mine from across the room.

Slow.

Sharp.

Knowing.

Like he had already seen this coming.

Like he had already seen me break.

His mouth curved slightly.

Not a smile.

Not kindness.

Something darker.

Something colder.

"Looks like your boyfriend problem just solved itself," one of his teammates muttered beside him.

The group laughed quietly.

Dave didn't.

He just kept staring at me.

Then he pushed away from the wall and walked past us.

As he passed, his voice dropped low enough that only I could hear it.

"Told you," he murmured.

His shoulder brushed mine as he walked by.

"Humans disappoint eventually."

My chest tightened painfully.

Because the worst part?

I wasn't heartbroken yet.

But something told me

I was about to be.

The first thing I heard when I stepped into school that morning was laughter.

Not the normal kind.

The sharp kind.

The kind that made people cover their mouths and glance around like they were hiding something.

My shoes slowed against the hallway floor.

Two girls near the lockers were whispering, but the moment they noticed me, their voices dropped.

Still, I caught enough.

"You're serious?" one of them whispered.

"I swear," the other murmured back. "Everyone at Jason's party saw it."

My chest tightened.

Jason's party.

The one he told me not to come to.

The hallway suddenly felt too loud. Conversations buzzed around me, but every few seconds someone glanced my way.

Then another whisper floated through the air.

"You mean she still doesn't know?"

My grip tightened on my backpack strap.

A boy leaning against a locker shook his head slowly.

"You should've seen it," he muttered to his friend. "He literally asked Veronica to be his girlfriend right there."

The words made my heart stumble

Girlfriend?

That didn't make sense.

Jason was my boyfriend.

My locker was only a few steps away now, but suddenly it felt like the longest walk of my life.

More murmurs drifted through the hallway.

"Poor Nina."

"I thought they were still together."

"She didn't even show up to the party..."

My hand froze halfway to the locker handle.

Before I could process any of it, a familiar voice called out behind me.

"Nina!"

I turned just in time to see Tessan Warren pushing through the hallway crowd.

My best friend looked furious.

Her curls bounced wildly as she stormed toward me, her expression tight with anger

She grabbed my shoulders the second she reached me.

"Tell me you didn't go to Jason's party," Tessan said.

I blinked in confusion.

"No," I answered slowly. "Jason told me not to come."

Tessan closed her eyes briefly.

When she opened them again, they were blazing.

"That lying snake," she muttered.

My stomach twisted.

"Tess," I said quietly, "what happened?"

She hesitated.

For a moment it looked like she didn't want to say it out loud.

Then she exhaled sharply.

"Jason stood in the middle of the party last night," she said. "And asked Veronica Hill to be his girlfriend."

The hallway noise faded into a dull hum.

"That's not funny," I whispered.

Tessan stared at me.

"You think I'm joking right now?"

I searched her face.

She wasn't smiling.

She wasn't teasing.

She looked ready to start a fight.

"He wouldn't do that," I said.

"He already did," Tessan replied flatly.

I shook my head.

"Maybe someone misunderstood."

"Nina," Tessan said firmly, "the entire party saw it."

My heart began pounding harder.

Then a smooth voice drifted through the hallway.

"Well... look who finally showed up."

My head turned.

Veronica Hill stood a few lockers away.

Her blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, and her arms were folded across her chest like she owned the entire hallway.

Three of her cheerleader friends stood behind her, watching the scene unfold with barely hidden smiles.

Veronica tilted her head slightly.

"Did no one tell you yet?" she asked sweetly.

Tessan stepped forward immediately.

"Say another word and I swear"

Veronica raised a hand lazily.

"Relax, Warren. I'm just being polite."

Then her gaze settled on me.

"Your boyfriend asked me to be his girlfriend last night."

The words sliced through my chest.

"Jason is my boyfriend," I said quietly.

Veronica laughed.

Not kindly.

"Was."

A few whispers broke out behind her.

Tessan moved closer to me, her anger practically radiating.

"You're disgusting," she snapped.

Veronica only shrugged.

"Don't shoot the messenger."

Then she leaned slightly closer to me.

"Jason's the one who dumped you."

The hallway erupted in murmurs.

Heat rushed to my face.

"Nina," Tessan said softly, tugging at my arm. "Let's go."

But I shook my head.

"Where is he?"

Veronica's smile sharpened.

"Outside," she said casually.

She leaned in just enough for only me and Tessan to hear.

"Probably waiting for me."

Something inside me snapped.

I turned toward the exit doors.

Tessan hurried after me.

"Nina, wait!"

The cool morning air hit my face as I stepped into the courtyard.

Students were scattered across the grass and benches, talking before class started.

And then I saw him.

Jason stood near one of the benches as He rested his arm casually on the pavement

My chest tightened painfully.

Jason noticed me first.

His expression flickered with surprise for half a second before it hardened.

I walked straight toward them.

Tessan followed close behind.

Jason sighed the moment I stopped in front of him.

"Nina... this isn't a good time."

"You asked her to be your girlfriend?" I asked.

"Yeah," he replied with a shrug.

Just like that.

No guilt.

No hesitation.

"You told me not to come to the party," I said.

"Yeah," Jason said, rolling his eyes. "Because I didn't want a scene."

Tessan exploded instantly.

"A scene?" she shouted. "You publicly cheated on her!"

A few nearby students turned to watch.

Jason looked annoyed now.

"Look, Nina," he said coldly, "we were already over."

My head snapped up.

"Since when?"

He gestured lazily toward Veronica.

"Since I upgraded."

The words felt like a slap.

Veronica smiled sweetly beside him.

"Don't take it personally," she said.

That was enough.

"You betrayed her!" Tessan yelled.

I grabbed her arm before she could lunge forward.

"You cheated on me," I said quietly.

Jason scoffed.

"It's high school, Nina. Relax."

The courtyard buzzed with whispers again.

My throat burned.

For a moment I thought I might cry.

But I refused.

Instead I turned and walked back toward the school building.

Fast.

Before anyone could see the tears building in my eyes.

Behind me I heard Veronica laugh.

Jason said something I couldn't make out.

More whispers followed me like a storm.

When I stepped back into the hallway, I stopped suddenly.

Because Dave Walker and his friends were leaning against the lockers.

Watching.

Waiting.

Dave straightened slowly when he saw me.

A slow smile spread across his face.

"Well," he said lazily, "that was entertaining."

His friends snickered.

One of them murmured under his breath, "Public breakup."

Another added, "Brutal."

Dave pushed himself off the locker and walked a little closer.

His sharp eyes scanned my face like he was studying every crack in my expression.

"Didn't see that coming, huh?" he said.

"Back off, Walker," Tessan snapped.

Dave chuckled.

"Relax. I'm just observing."

A quiet laugh rippled through his group.

Someone muttered, "Poor girl."

Another voice added mockingly, "Dumped and humiliated in one morning."

My throat burned.

Dave tilted his head slightly.

"Looks like your perfect boyfriend wasn't so perfect," he said.

The hallway laughter grew louder.

My vision blurred.

But I refused to cry in front of them.

I lifted my chin.

"I wasn't heartbroken yet," I said.

I met Dave's gaze directly.

"But I was about to be."

Then I walked past him.

Leaving the whispers behind.

But the humiliation followed like a shadow.

And somewhere behind me

Dave laughed.

The hallway noise followed me for a while.

Whispers.

Snickers.

Low conversations that died the moment I passed by.

I kept walking.

Fast.

Faster.

My vision burned and blurred, but I refused to let the tears fall where everyone could see them.

Not in the hallway.

Not in front of Dave Walker.

Not in front of the entire school that had just watched my relationship explode.

"Nina wait!"

Tessan's footsteps hurried behind me.

I turned the corner sharply and pushed open the first door I saw.

The janitor's closet.

The smell of cleaning chemicals filled the air as I stepped inside and slammed the door shut.

Darkness swallowed the tiny space.

A thin line of light slipped in from the bottom of the door.

My chest rose and fell too fast.

For a moment, I just stood there.

Frozen.

Trying to breathe.

Trying to hold everything inside.

But the moment Tessan pushed the door open and slipped inside behind me

I broke.

A sob ripped out of my chest before I could stop it.

My knees gave out and I slid down the wall, collapsing onto the cold tile floor.

"Nina oh my God."

Tessan rushed toward me immediately.

Her arms wrapped around my shoulders as another sob tore through me.

"I" My voice cracked. "I didn't even know."

Tears spilled down my face now, hot and unstoppable.

"I didn't even know he hated me that much."

"He doesn't hate you," Tessan said quickly, kneeling beside me. "He's just a coward."

I shook my head violently.

"He stood there," I choked. "Like it was nothing."

The image replayed in my mind.

Jason's arm around Veronica's waist.

His careless shrug.

Since I upgraded.

My stomach twisted painfully.

"God, Nina," Tessan muttered, her voice shaking with anger. "If I had been at that party, I swear I would've thrown a chair at his head."

Despite everything, a broken laugh escaped me.

Tessan squeezed my shoulder.

"You deserve so much better than that idiot."

Another sob escaped my throat.

"I gave him everything," I whispered.

The words sounded pathetic the moment they left my mouth.

Three years.

Three years of loyalty.

Three years of defending him when people said he was a jerk.

Three years of believing he actually cared about me.

And he replaced me with Veronica Hill in a single night.

My fingers curled into fists.

"I feel stupid," I whispered.

"You're not stupid," Tessan said firmly.

"I didn't even see it coming."

"That's because you're not a snake like them."

Silence filled the small closet for a moment.

My breathing slowly steadied, though tears still slid down my cheeks.

Outside the door, the muffled sounds of students moving through the hallway echoed faintly.

Life continuing like nothing had happened.

Meanwhile my entire world had just cracked open.

"I hate them," Tessan muttered suddenly.

Her voice was low.

Dangerous.

"Jason and Veronica. All those idiots laughing in the hallway."

My throat tightened again.

"And Dave," I whispered.

Tessan's jaw clenched.

"Oh, especially Dave."

I wiped my face with the sleeve of my hoodie.

"Why does he hate me so much?" I asked quietly.

Tessan frowned.

"I don't know."

"He acts like I personally ruined his life."

"You barely even talk to him."

Exactly.

That was the part that confused me the most.

Dave Walker had hated me since the day I transferred to this school.

Cold looks.

Cruel comments.

That sharp, mocking smile whenever something went wrong for me.

Like he enjoyed it.

Like watching me struggle entertained him.

Tessan leaned back slightly and studied my face.

"You know what?" she said suddenly.

"What?"

She shrugged.

"Maybe he's just a jerk."

I sniffed weakly.

"That's the best explanation you've got?"

"Pretty solid explanation if you ask me."

Another small laugh escaped me.

For the first time since the morning started, the tightness in my chest loosened a little.

Tessan nudged my shoulder gently.

"Hey."

I looked at her.

"You're not going to let this destroy you, okay?"

My lips trembled.

"It already did."

"No," she said firmly.

She pointed toward the door.

"You walk out of this closet, you wipe your tears, and you show them you're stronger than their stupid drama."

My eyes burned again.

"I don't feel strong."

"You don't have to feel it," Tessan replied.

"You just have to fake it."

She stood up and held out her hand.

"Come on."

I stared at it for a moment.

Then slowly reached up and took it.

Tessan pulled me to my feet.

My legs felt shaky, but I managed to stand.

She studied my face critically.

"Okay, yeah... we definitely need damage control."

I let out a weak laugh.

"Is it that bad?"

"You look like you fought a raccoon."

"Great."

She pulled a small pack of tissues from her pocket and handed them to me.

"Fix the mascara situation before Coach Marlene sees you."

My stomach dropped slightly.

"Cheer practice..."

Tessan grimaced.

"Yeah."

I wiped the remaining tears from my cheeks.

Took a deep breath.

Then another.

My chest still hurt.

Jason's betrayal still burned inside me.

The humiliation.

The whispers.

Dave's mocking voice replaying in my mind.

But Tessan was right.

If I walked out of this closet crying-

They would win.

And I refused to give them that satisfaction.

I straightened my shoulders.

Tessan watched me carefully.

"That's the spirit," she said quietly.

I forced a small nod.

"Let's go."

Tessan reached for the door and pushed it open.

Bright hallway light flooded the small closet.

The noise of the school returned instantly.

Voices.

Footsteps.

Lockers slamming.

Normal life.

I stepped out first.

And forced my face into something that looked like confidence.

But deep inside

Something had cracked.

Something painful.

Something sharp.

Because even though no one had seen me cry in that closet

I knew the truth.

I cried where the werewolves couldn't see me.

But they would still smell the weakness.

And Dave Walker?

He would enjoy it the most.

The music in the club was low and slow, the kind that vibrated through the floor instead of screaming through the speakers.

Soft lights flickered across the crowded room, red and blue shadows moving across bodies that swayed, laughed, and drank like the night belonged to them.

None of them knew my world had just collapsed.

I sat alone at the bar, elbows resting on the polished wood, staring into the glass in front of me.

Tequila.

My third.

Or fourth.

I wasn't sure anymore.

The burn slid down my throat like liquid fire, but it still wasn't strong enough to drown the humiliation clawing inside my chest.

Tessan's voice echoed in my head.

"Nina, don't do this."

"Drinking won't fix anything."

"Let's just go back to the dorm."

I ignored every single word she said.

Because the only thing louder than her voice was the memory of Jason's.

"Veronica's my girlfriend now."

My fingers tightened around the glass.

"Another," I muttered.

The bartender barely looked at me before pouring another shot.

The glass slid across the counter.

I lifted it immediately.

The alcohol burned worse this time, but I welcomed the pain.

Pain meant I could feel something other than humiliation.

Around me, people laughed.

Someone cheered near the dance floor.

A group of girls stumbled past the bar giggling like idiots.

My stomach twisted.

They probably knew.

Everyone probably knew.

Ridgewood High wasn't exactly famous for keeping secrets.

Especially when those secrets involved the captain of the opponent rugby team, his new cheerleader girlfriend, and the girl he dumped like trash.

My chest tightened.

I slammed the empty glass onto the counter.

"Another."

The bartender raised an eyebrow.

"Rough night?"

"Just pour the damn drink."

He shrugged and filled the glass again.

I grabbed it before he could finish sliding it across the counter.

The tequila burned again.

My eyes watered slightly.

Still not enough.

Not nearly enough.

I dropped my head forward, pressing my forehead against the cool surface of the bar.

For a moment, I closed my eyes.

The music blurred.

The voices blended together.

Everything felt distant.

Like I was underwater.

Then a familiar voice broke through the noise.

"Didn't take you for the club type."

My eyes snapped open.

I didn't have to look to know who it was.

Dave Walker.

Of course.

Because apparently the universe hated me tonight.

I turned slowly.

He stood a few feet away, leaning against the bar like he owned the place.

A cigarette hung loosely between his fingers, smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling.

His black jacket was unzipped, revealing the ink crawling across his collarbone and neck.

Wolf tattoos.

Sharp lines.

Dark shadows.

His jawline was as sharp as ever, his expression bored and cold.

Like this entire situation amused him.

My stomach twisted again.

Of all the people in this city.

Of all the places in this club.

He had to end up here.

I looked away.

"Go away, Walker."

He didn't move.

Instead, he took a slow drag from the cigarette.

The orange tip glowed in the dim light.

Smoke drifted from his lips as he exhaled.

"You know," he said casually, "most people cry at home."

My fingers curled around the edge of the bar.

"I'm not crying."

"Sure you're not."

I glared at him.

"Why are you even here?"

Dave shrugged slightly.

"Same reason everyone else is."

Another drag.

Another cloud of smoke.

Then his eyes slid toward the empty glasses in front of me.

"Except I'm not trying to drink myself into a coma."

My temper snapped.

"Mind your own damn business."

He chuckled quietly.

The sound was low.

Mocking.

"Oh, trust me," he said. "I was."

His eyes met mine again.

"But then I saw you."

Something dark flickered in his gaze.

"Hard to ignore a train wreck."

My nails dug into my palm.

"You're an asshole."

"Been called worse."

I reached for the next tequila shot.

Before I could drink it, Dave suddenly moved.

His hand shot forward and grabbed the glass.

The motion was so fast I barely saw it.

My eyes widened.

"What the hell are you doing?"

He lifted the glass, studying the clear liquid inside.

"You've had enough."

Anger exploded in my chest.

"Give it back."

"No."

"Walker."

"No."

I slammed my hand against the bar.

"Give me my drink!"

His gaze hardened slightly.

For a moment, the joking expression disappeared.

"You're already drunk."

"Good."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"I didn't ask for one."

I reached for the glass again.

He pulled it away easily.

My frustration spiked.

"You don't get to control what I drink!"

Dave leaned closer slightly.

The scent of smoke and something darker surrounded him.

"I also don't want to deal with a drunk cheerleader puk

My eyes narrowed.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I snapped. "Did my existence ruin your night?"

He smirked.

"A little."

Hatred surged through me.

"You know what your problem is, Walker?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Enlighten me."

"You think you're better than everyone else."

Another slow drag from the cigarette.

Smoke curled around his face.

"Not everyone."

His gaze locked onto mine.

"Just humans."

The word hit harder than it should have.

I frowned.

"What does that even mean?"

Dave shrugged again.

"Nothing you need to worry about."

His voice was flat.

Dismissive.

That only made me angrier.

"Oh, I get it," I said bitterly.

"You're one of those guys who thinks every girl is stupid."

"Not every girl."

"Let me guess," I continued, ignoring him.

"You hate girls because one of them dumped you."

A muscle in his jaw tightened.

It was small.

Almost invisible.

But I noticed it.

Interesting.

I leaned closer.

"Or maybe she cheated on you."

His eyes darkened slightly.

"Careful."

"Why?" I snapped. "Did I hit a nerve?"

For a moment, he didn't answer.

He just watched me.

The silence stretched between us.

Then he flicked the cigarette into a nearby ashtray.

"You don't want to know why."

My lips curled.

"Oh please."

"Trust me."

His voice dropped lower.

"You really don't."

I laughed bitterly.

"Right. Because you're so mysterious."

Dave leaned back slightly.

His expression returned to its usual cold sarcasm.

"Something like that."

I grabbed the tequila glass from his distracted hand and threw the drink back.

The burn hit instantly.

Dave sighed.

"You're impossible."

"Good."

I slammed the glass down again.

"Now leave me alone."

He studied me for a moment.

Then his gaze drifted across the bar.

People laughed.

Music pulsed.

Life moved on like my world hadn't just shattered.

When he looked back at me, something strange flickered across his face.

Something almost thoughtful.

Then it disappeared.

"You know," he said quietly, "he's not worth it."

My chest tightened.

"I didn't ask for your opinion."

"You didn't have to."

His voice remained calm.

Annoyingly calm.

I looked away.

My vision blurred slightly.

Not from alcohol.

From anger.

And humiliation.

"Just leave," I muttered.

For a moment, I thought he would.

Instead, Dave pulled out the stool beside mine and sat down.

I turned toward him sharply.

"What are you doing?"

He shrugged again.

"Making sure you don't pass out."

My jaw dropped slightly.

"I don't need a babysitter."

"No."

He leaned back against the bar.

"But apparently you need a witness."

My eyes narrowed.

"A witness for what?"

His smirk returned.

"For when you inevitably do something stupid tonight."

My hands clenched again.

God.

I hated him.

I hated his stupid calm voice.

His stupid smirk.

His stupid face.

And the worst part?

He looked completely unaffected by everything.

While I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.

I grabbed the tequila bottle sitting on the counter.

Dave sighed again.

"Here we go."

"Shut up."

I poured another shot.

He didn't try to stop me this time.

He just watched.

Quietly.

Lke he was studying me.

Which somehow made everything worse.

Because for the first time that night..

I realized something.

Dave Walker wasn't laughing anymore.

He was just watching.

And somehow that felt far more dangerous

The bar suddenly felt like it was tilting.

I blinked slowly, trying to steady my vision, but the lights kept stretching into long blurry streaks.

The music thumped through my skull like a hammer.

Dave was still beside me.

Watching.

Always watching.

I pushed myself off the stool.

Bad decision.

The floor moved.

My balance slipped and my shoulder slammed lightly into the counter.

Dave caught my arm before I completely tipped over.

"Easy," he muttered.

I jerked away from him.

"Don't touch me."

He sighed like I was the most exhausting thing in the room.

"You're about two seconds away from face-planting on the floor."

"I'm perfectly"

The word never finished.

My knees buckled.

The room spun violently.

Strong hands grabbed my shoulders before I collapsed.

Dave's voice was flat beside my ear.

"Yeah," he muttered. "Perfectly fine."

I groaned.

"Shut up."

My mascara had definitely run by now. I could feel it.

Tears, alcohol, and sweat had turned it into a sticky mess under my eyes.

My hair felt tangled and rough from running my fingers through it all night.

I probably looked insane.

I tried to stand straight again.

It didn't work.

Dave shook his head slowly.

"I told you."

"Shut up."

"I told you you'd pass out."

"I didn't"

My sentence dissolved into another dizzy sway.

Dave grabbed my wrist.

"Alright."

His tone changed slightly.

More serious now.

"We're leaving."

I yanked my arm back weakly.

"Leave me alone."

Too late.

He was already pulling me toward the exit.

The cold night air hit my face the moment the door opened.

I stumbled again.

"Walker," I slurred angrily, trying to dig my heels into the pavement.

"Stop dragging me!"

He didn't even look back.

"Watch your step."

"I said let go!"

"No."

"I hate you!"

"Noted."

The parking lot lights blurred above me.

Dave walked fast.

Too fast.

I stumbled behind him, half dragged across the asphalt.

"Walker!" I snapped again.

"Leave me alone!"

My voice cracked.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, smearing the wet mascara even more.

My eyes felt swollen from crying.

My head hurt.

Everything hurt.

Dave stopped beside a black car and pulled the passenger door open.

"Get in."

"No."

He stared at me.

"You can either sit down," he said flatly, "or fall down."

I glared at him.

Then I tried to walk away.

My foot caught the curb.

My body lurched forward.

Dave caught me again before I smashed into the pavement.

"Congratulations," he said dryly. "You picked option three."

Before I could argue again, he shoved me gently into the passenger seat.

I groaned loudly.

"Kidnapping is illegal."

"Good thing I'm not kidnapping you."

The door slammed shut.

A moment later he climbed into the driver's seat.

The engine started.

The quiet hum of the car replaced the loud chaos of the club.

For a few seconds neither of us spoke.

Then the words started spilling out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"My life is over."

Dave gripped the steering wheel.

"You're just eighteen."

"Exactly."

I groaned and dropped my head back against the seat.

"I used to live with that dumb asshole."

My voice cracked.

"That dumb asshole called Jason."

Dave said nothing.

"Now I'm homeless."

Still silence.

I stared at the ceiling of the car.

"My mom is going to be so disappointed in me."

My voice grew softer.

"Like... really disappointed."

Dave glanced sideways at me briefly.

I kept talking.

"She's going to say she raised a daughter who got drunk in some midnight club."

My throat tightened.

"She's going to say she trusted me."

My voice broke slightly.

"And now look at me."

I wiped my face again, smearing the mascara further across my cheeks.

"This is so embarrassing."

The car stopped at a red light.

Dave exhaled slowly.

"Are you done?"

I turned toward him suddenly.

"Why are you even doing this?"

His eyes flicked toward me briefly.

"What?"

"Why are you helping me?"

I pointed at him weakly.

"You hate humans."

He didn't respond.

"So why?" I pressed.

"Why drag me out of that bar?"

He looked back at the road.

His voice stayed cold.

"To protect the team."

I blinked.

"What?"

His tone turned blunt.

"I don't need a scandal going viral tomorrow."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"Scandal?"

"Yes."

He changed lanes calmly.

"'Ridgewood cheerleader found drunk at midnight club.'"

His voice carried a mocking tone.

"That headline wouldn't be great for the rugby team."

Realization slowly sank in

"Oh."

I slumped deeper into the seat.

"So you're not helping me."

"No."

"You're protecting your reputation."

"And the team's."

I nodded slowly.

"I guess that makes sense."

The car stayed quiet again.

Then I looked at him again.

"You're still an asshole."

Dave smirked faintly.

"I've heard."

I folded my arms and stared out the window.

"Just drop me somewhere."

"Where?"

My mouth opened.

Then closed.

Because the truth hit me all over again.

I had nowhere to go.

The silence stretched inside the car.

Dave glanced at me briefly.

His smirk faded.

And for the first time that night...

He looked slightly less amused.

The car stopped with a rough jerk.

My head was spinning so badly that the world tilted when the door opened.

Cold air slapped my face.

Dave stepped out first, walking around the car with the same lazy confidence that made me want to punch him.

He opened my door and grabbed my arm.

"Watch your step, drunk slut."

I jerked my arm away instantly.

"Who the hell are you calling a slut, asshole?"

My words slurred together, my tongue heavy from the alcohol, but the anger was very real.

I tried stepping out of the car myself.

Big mistake.

My legs felt like jelly.

The moment my feet touched the ground, my knees buckled.

The pavement rushed toward me.

Dave caught my arm before I could fall flat on my face.

He sighed in annoyance.

"Unbelievable."

"Let go of me," I snapped, trying to pull away again.

"You can't even stand," he said coldly.

"I can stand!"

I tried again.Two steps.

Then the world tilted.

Again.

My heel twisted and I nearly collapsed.

Dave grabbed my arm again, this time tighter.

"If you fall and crack your skull open," he muttered, "don't bleed on my shoes."

I glared up at him.

Even drunk, I could still see how irritatingly perfect his face looked under the dim streetlight.

Sharp jawline.

ark hair slightly messy.

That stupid smirk sitting on his lips like the world was his personal comedy show.

I hated that smirk.

"Why are you even here?" I snapped. "Did you follow me?"

Dave leaned casually against the car door, lighting a cigarette like this entire situation bored him.

Smoke curled into the cold night air.

"Relax," he said flatly. "You're not interesting enough to stalk."

"Then why are you helping me?"He took a slow drag from the cigarette.

His eyes were dark.

Cold.

"Damage control."

I frowned.

"What?"

He blew the smoke away from my face.

"If Ridgewood High's precious cheerleader gets drunk and passes out in a club," he said calmly, "that scandal hits the school tomorrow morning."

I blinked slowly, trying to process his words through the fog in my head.

"So?"

"So," he continued, flicking ash to the ground, "I don't feel like dealing with reporters or disciplinary meetings because you decided to drown your pathetic love life in tequila."

My chest tightened with anger.

"Oh my God."

I shoved his shoulder weakly.

"You didn't help me because you care."

Dave raised an eyebrow.

"That was never part of the deal."

I stumbled forward toward him.

My vision blurred then everything went black.

My head felt like someone had stuffed it with bricks and shaken it violently all night...

************

I groaned and buried my face deeper into the pillow.

Why did it smell so... good?

Fresh.

Clean.

Not like my room.

My eyes slowly opened.

White ceiling.

Minimalist furniture.

A large unfamiliar window letting sunlight spill across the bed.

My brain lagged for several seconds before the panic kicked in.

"What the hell..."

I pushed myself up, clutching my head as a sharp wave of dizziness hit me.

"This is not my room.? And why do I smell like alcohol...."

The bed was huge.

The sheets were expensive.

And the room definitely did not belong to me.

"What the fuck am I doing here?"

Before I could even stand up properly, the door suddenly swung open.

Dave stood there.

Arms folded.

Looking annoyingly awake.

His dark eyes dragged over me like he was inspecting a problem he hadn't asked for.

"Oh look," he said dryly. "The pig finally woke up."

I squinted at him through the pounding headache.

"What the hell are you doing in my room?"

Dave's eyebrow lifted slowly.

"Your room?"

He leaned against the doorframe.

"This is my house."

My brain froze.

My heart skipped.

"...What?"

Dave exhaled like he already regretted this entire morning.

"You passed out last night."

Fragments of memory flickered.

The club.

The music.

Jason.

Tequila.

Then nothing.

"You dragged me here?" I asked.

"Carried you," Dave corrected.

My jaw dropped.

"You what?"

"You couldn't walk."

"Asshole!"

I threw the pillow at him.

"Get the fuck out of my room!"

Dave didn't even move when the pillow hit him.

"This isn't your room."

"Then get out anyway!"

He rolled his eyes.

"Relax. The party's over."

"What party?"

"The one you tried to die at."

I glared at him.

"Dick head."

Dave sighed.

"You need to leave."

"I just woke up!"

"You've been asleep for ten hours."

"Ten?" "

My eyes widened.

"Oh my God."

I jumped out of the bed too fast.

Instant regret.

The room spun violently.

I grabbed the edge of the bed to steady myself.

Dave watched with mild amusement.

"Careful," he muttered. "Wouldn't want you passing out again."

I flipped him off weakly.

"Shut up."

My nose twitched.

The room smelled... nice.

Fresh soap.

Laundry.

Clean air.

Not like my messy apartment.

I slowly looked down at myself.

My clothes from last night were still on.

Thank God.

Dave noticed the look on my face.

"You're welcome."

"For what?"

"For not letting you sleep in a club bathroom."

I rolled my eyes.

"Don't act like you did me a favor."

Dave shrugged.

"Next time I'll leave you there."

"Please do."

He stepped aside and pointed down the hallway.

"Bathroom's there."

I narrowed my eyes.

"You spying on me?"

"Trust me," he said flatly. "Not interested."

"Good."

"Great."

I grabbed a towel and stormed into the bathroom.

The shower helped a little.

Hot water pounded against my skull while my brain slowly came back online.

Last night was still mostly a blur.

But one thing was crystal clear.

Jason.

The breakup.

The humiliation.

I clenched my fists.

By the time I stepped out twenty minutes later, my phone finally turned on.

The screen exploded with notifications.

My stomach dropped.

16 missed calls - MOM💗

"Oh my God."

I nearly dropped the phone.

"I'm so doomed."

Mom was going to kill me.

Or worse.

Lecture me.

I shoved the phone into my pocket and walked downstairs after dressing up.

The moment I stepped into the living room, the rugby team spotted me.

Atlas leaned back on the couch and grinned.

"Well, well."

"Sleeping Beauty finally emerged."

Mason laughed.

"Guys, can you believe this?"

"Captain brought home a cheerleader."

Dave looked like he wanted to disappear.

"Shut up."

Ryder nudged him.

"You're blushing."

"I'm not."

Atlas pointed dramatically.

"He's blushing."

"I will break your nose."

They all laughed.

I rolled my eyes.

"You're all idiots."

Atlas clutched his chest.

"Wow."

"She speaks."

"Savage," Blaze added.

Dave grabbed his car keys and tossed them in the air once.

"Let's go."

"Where?" I asked.

"I'm dropping you off."

"Finally."

Later That Morning

Tessan opened the door the second I knocked.

Her eyes widened instantly.

"Oh my God."

"Where have you been?"

I pushed past her into the apartment.

"Don't start."

"Girl, I called you like fifty times!"

"I know."

"I thought you were kidnapped!"

"I wish."

Tessa crossed her arms.

"Spill."

I dropped onto the couch dramatically.

"I woke up in the rugby pack house."

Her jaw dropped.

"You WHAT?"

"I don't even know what happened."

"Dave's house?" she gasped.

"Yes."

"How?!"

"I don't remember!"

Tessa stared at me like I had just announced I'd joined the mafia.

"You're so lucky I'm here."

"Yeah," I groaned. "I know."

My phone buzzed again.

MOM💗

I ignored it.

Right now I had bigger problems.

Jason.

"I need to move out," I muttered.

Tessa nodded immediately.

"Good."

"Very good."

"I already posted something."

She blinked.

"You what?"

I grabbed my phone and opened the school board page.

My new post stared back at me.

Apartment Needed Urgent

Tessan smiled.

"See? Problem solved."

"Hopefully."

"You'll get a place today."

I stood up.

"First I need to pack my stuff."

***************

Jason's house still smelt the same, the floral scent hung the atmosphere as the memories flashed through my mind. Those days he loved me without any exceptions.

Jason opened the door looking irritated.

"What do you want?"

I walked straight past him trying to avoid much eye contact

"I came to pack."

He scoffed.

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"Finally realized you can't live without me?"

I turned slowly .

My patience snapped , my heart still wanted to believe that all this was a dream.

"You're absolutely a dickhead!."

Jason's eyes narrowed.

"Watch your mouth."

"You cheated on me, you son of a bitch!!"

"You embarrassed me."

"And now you're acting like I'm the problem?"

Jason leaned against the wall smugly.

"You're overreacting."

I grabbed my suitcase and started stuffing clothes into it as anger mixed with regret flooded my heart

"Get your dog out of my way," I muttered when his ugly little bulldog barked at me.

Jason laughed.

"You're unbelievable."

"Yeah," I snapped.

"I know."

I zipped the suitcase hard.

"I thought I was escaping you."

Jason crossed his arms.

"You'll come back."

I stared at him like he was insane.

"Not in this lifetime Jason."

Then I walked out.