Unspoken tensions

The morning carried a fragile stillness, the kind that hinted at unspoken words and lingering tensions. Kamsi stepped out of the house with her mother, the chill in the air biting against her exposed hands. Her mother's keys jingled softly as she locked the door behind them.

The moment they approached the car, Kamsi's steps faltered. Leaning against his motorcycle on the far side of the driveway was Xavier. The morning sun barely touched his figure, casting him in a shadowy outline. His hood was drawn back, revealing dark, tousled hair, but it was his eyes that held her captive—sharp, piercing, and brimming with unspoken accusations.

Kamsi's breath hitched. She hadn't told him about her change of plans. Her mother's offer to drop her off had come out of nowhere, a surprising gesture she hadn't wanted to refuse. Guilt and panic warred in her chest as she locked eyes with him. Please, Xavier, just let this go .

Her silent plea was met with an expression that froze her in place. Xavier's jaw tightened, the muscle ticking visibly, and his arms folded across his chest. His gaze didn't waver, didn't soften. If anything, the intensity of his glare made her want to shrink into herself. Her heart thudded painfully as she glanced away, fingers nervously gripping the strap of her bag.

"Kamsi, let's go," her mother said, already at the driver's door.

Kamsi hesitated, feeling torn. She could feel Xavier's gaze burning into her, a searing weight she couldn't ignore. Her mother's voice broke through again, this time softer but firm. "Come on, honey."

"Okay," Kamsi murmured, her voice barely audible. Her hand trembled slightly as she opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat.

From the corner of her eye, she watched Xavier. He hadn't moved. His posture was deceptively calm, but the hard set of his jaw and the slight twitch of his lips betrayed his simmering frustration. Kamsi swallowed hard, her palms damp against her thighs. She wanted to say something, to explain—but what could she say that wouldn't make it worse?

As the engine roared to life, Kamsi cast one last glance out the window. Xavier's eyes never left her. They were cold, unyielding, but there was something else lurking beneath the surface—something darker, more dangerous. It made her heart clench uncomfortably.

Her mother, unaware of the silent storm brewing outside, adjusted the rearview mirror. "It's nice we get to do this together," she said, her tone tentative but kind.

Kamsi forced a smile, nodding absently. "Yeah, it is," she replied, though her thoughts were still on Xavier.

As the car pulled away, Xavier straightened, his hands gripping the bike's handlebars so tightly his knuckles turned white. His sharp gaze followed the vehicle until it disappeared from sight. A dry chuckle escaped his lips, humorless and laced with disdain.

"She'll regret this," he muttered, his voice low and rough. The smirk that crept onto his face was slow, calculated, and anything but kind.

Swinging his leg over the bike, he revved the engine, the sound splitting through the quiet morning like a growl of warning. His lips curled further as he muttered to himself, "No one ditches me."

The bike roared as he sped off, his mind already calculating his next move.

---

The car glided to a stop at the event venue, the bright banners fluttering in the light morning breeze. Kamsi lingered for a moment, clutching the strap of her bag as she glanced at her mom.

"I'll probably be home late tonight," she said, her voice casual but careful. "Might stay back for some extra shifts."

Her mom's eyes softened, though her lips pressed into a thin line. "That doesn't mean you should stay out too long. Go home early if you can."

"Yes, Mom," Kamsi replied with a small, obedient smile. She stepped out of the car, waving as it pulled away, the sound of its engine fading into the background.

She turned toward the event hall, her nerves kicking in as she spotted students milling around the entrance. Before she could take a step, a familiar voice rang out.

"Kamsi!"

Her head snapped up, and her chest lightened at the sight of Zendaya bounding toward her, arms outstretched.

"You actually came!" Kamsi teased as they hugged briefly, warmth seeping into her voice.

Zendaya pulled back with an exaggerated eye roll. "Don't act so surprised. Someone guilt-tripped me into this."

Kamsi laughed, the sound bubbling up easily. "Guilt-tripped? Please. You're going to thank me when this shines on your college application."

Zendaya smirked, tossing her braids over her shoulder. "Fine. But if they make me hand out water bottles all day, I'm throwing one at your head."

"Deal."

The pair fell into step together, their voices blending into the hum of activity around them. As they neared the entrance, a woman with a sharp yet warm demeanor approached them. Her glasses perched neatly on her nose, and a clipboard was tucked under one arm.

"You must be the volunteers from Washington DC High School," she said, her voice brisk but welcoming.

"Yes, ma'am," they answered in unison.

"I'm Mrs. Conley," she introduced herself, her smile widening. "Follow me. The others are just inside, and I'll introduce you to your roles."

As they stepped into the hall, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Bright posters lined the walls, and clusters of students stood chatting animatedly. Kamsi's gaze immediately landed on Camille, Tylee, and Patricia. Her stomach sank as Patricia's gaze locked onto her, lips curling into a thin, disapproving line.

Zendaya, however, was unbothered. She straightened, her posture effortlessly commanding, and broke into a wide grin. "Oh, look who's here! The party's just getting started!"

Her enthusiasm was magnetic. Within moments, a small crowd gathered around them, with Zendaya effortlessly taking charge. She gestured dramatically as she introduced herself and Kamsi to everyone, her voice brimming with confidence.

"And you," she said, pointing at Damon, who was leaning casually against a table with his arms crossed. "I know you're good with a camera. Looks like you're on Photography duty with Joanne and Alexander."

Damon gave a mock bow. "At your service."

"Serving drinks? That's me and Tylee," Zendaya continued, giving a playful wink. "Keep your thirst complaints to yourselves."

Mrs. Conley chuckled and took over. "Registration desk: Kamsi, Patricia, and Joe. Social Media team: Camille, Julianne, and a couple of others. Set-up crew: Gilbert's leading that team, and finally, mentor assistants—Xavier and one more volunteer from another school."

Kamsi's heart sank further. She cast a quick glance at Zendaya, wishing she could switch roles, but before she could protest, Patricia stepped closer, her arms crossed.

"Great," Patricia said flatly, her eyes narrowing. "Stuck with *her*."

Kamsi straightened her back, refusing to react, though her fingers tightened around her bag. The tension between them was palpable.

Then, as if to make things worse, her gaze flicked to Joe. He stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. Her mind raced back to the bonfire, where he'd confessed he had feelings for her. The awkwardness pressed down on her like a weight, though she quickly smoothed her expression.

"Hi, Kamsi," Joe said, his voice tentative.

"Hi," she replied, her tone polite but distant.

Zendaya, sensing the tension, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Ooh, looks like registration is going to be fun."

Kamsi shot her a warning look, but before she could retort, her gaze drifted across the room—and landed on Xavier.

He stood near the stage, his dark jacket emphasizing his sharp features. His posture was relaxed, but his expression was hard, his piercing gaze scanning the room like he was assessing a battlefield.

Her breath hitched, her pulse quickening. She knew he'd been assigned as a mentor assistant, which meant working closely with his father. The tension in his jaw and the cold detachment in his eyes told her exactly how he felt about it.

"Oh my God," she muttered under her breath, her stomach twisting into knots.

Zendaya nudged her gently, her expression softening. "You okay?"

Kamsi forced a weak smile. "Yeah... just wasn't expecting this."

"Don't worry," Zendaya said with a knowing smirk. "If things get awkward, just stick with me. I've got enough charm for the both of us."

Kamsi laughed lightly, but her gaze lingered on Xavier. This was going to be a long day.