Reckless Rebellion

The Sanclaire house was empty. Nobody was there—only Maya and a couple of maids. The silence was deafening, a sharp contrast to the usual oppressive presence of her father. She asked where he was, and the maids informed her that he would be absent for a couple of days.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Maya felt relief. No yelling. No judgmental glares. Just her. This was the perfect opportunity to call her mother. Maybe, just maybe, things could be different this time. Maybe she would ask how Maya was doing. Maybe she would tell her she missed her.

With shaky hands, Maya dialed her mother's number. The call connected after the third ring.

"Hello?" Her mother's voice was cold, detached.

"Mom, it's me," Maya said, forcing a small smile, as if her mother could see it through the phone. "I—um—just wanted to check on you. How have you been?"

A long silence followed. Then, in an icy tone, her mother spoke.

"I don't want anything to do with the Sanclaires, Maya. Not even you."

Maya felt her breath hitch. "Mom, what are you saying? It's me. Your daughter."

"No," her mother said sharply. "You are Robert Sanclaire's daughter. Not mine."

Another slap in the face. Another knife twisting in her heart. She swallowed hard, fighting the sting in her eyes.

"I understand," Maya whispered before ending the call.

She sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the phone in her hands. If even her own mother didn't want her, then who would? Her father saw her as an accessory, a tool for his social status. Her mother saw her as a stain from her past. Everyone thought she was bad, selfish, toxic.

Fine. If that's what they thought, she might as well start acting like it.

---

The next morning, Maya woke up early, but today was different. She usually took her time picking a stunning, elegant outfit. Today, she didn't want elegant. She wanted reckless.

Her eyes skimmed past the designer dresses, the expensive outfits that made her look refined. Then, she saw it—a tiny, tight black dress that screamed trouble. It wasn't against the dress code, but it was wrong in every way possible. She threw a vest over it, just in case.

At school, she was greeted by Sally and Luna, their usual bubbly energy clashing with the dark aura she carried today.

"Maya, what's up with you?" Sally asked, raising an eyebrow.

Luna smirked. "Are we in our 'dark feminine era' now? Because you look hot."

Maya tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Good. That's the point."

As she strutted down the hallway, the reactions were instant. A boy whistled. Another murmured, "Damn, Maya. Didn't know you had this in you."

She smirked, stepping closer. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

The poor guy nearly tripped over himself. Boys' jaws dropped as she walked by, even with the vest still on.

Then, she reached her locker. A group of girls stood nearby, talking to Jackie. The moment Maya approached, Jackie's lips curled into a smirk.

"Wow, Maya, rough morning?" Jackie's voice dripped with fake concern. "You look... different. Not your usual classy self."

Maya knew exactly what she was doing. Jackie wanted to embarrass her. Wanted to make her feel small in front of everyone. But Maya had no intention of playing the victim.

She turned to the crowd and spoke loudly, "Of course, I look different. I dumped Vic. Turns out, he couldn't handle me. He belongs with a dirty whore like you."

Gasps rippled through the group. Jackie's face burned red. "Excuse me?"

Before Jackie could retort, Maya saw Vic approaching. Perfect timing.

Without hesitation, Maya shrugged off her coat, revealing the dangerously tight dress underneath. The reaction was instant—Vic's eyes darkened, his entire focus snapping to her like a moth to a flame.

Maya smirked. "Oh, this coat? It's expensive. Your entire savings and your family's savings combined couldn't afford it."

Jackie clenched her fists, furious. But Vic? He ignored Jackie completely. His gaze followed Maya like she was the only person in the world.

"You finally got my attention," he murmured, stepping closer.

Maya let out a fake yawn. "Don't flatter yourself. I wasn't trying."

She turned on her heel, making sure to sway her hips, and approached Vic's best friend, who stood nearby. When she reached him, she pretended to trip—right into his arms.

"Oops," she said with a flirtatious smile. "You don't mind catching me, do you?"

His hands tightened around her waist. "Not at all."

Vic was livid. "What the hell, Maya?"

Maya grinned. "What? I thought you were over me. Looks like you're not."

The fun, however, was cut short. A school supervisor, a young man, stormed toward her. "Miss Sanclaire, this outfit is against dress code."

Maya tilted her head innocently. "Oh? But I had a jacket. I must've misplaced it." She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Maybe you could let it slide, just this once?"

The poor supervisor's face turned bright red. He stammered, taking a step back before quickly turning around and leaving. Instead, he sent a female supervisor her way.

The fun was officially over.

Maya sighed and made her way toward her car. As she walked, her heel got caught in something. She tugged, but it wouldn't budge. "Are you kidding me?"

Then, she saw him.

Eddie Thompson.

He was stepping out of his car, looking as indifferent as ever. For weeks, he had ignored her. Walked past her as if she were invisible. She didn't expect him to help.

"I'm stuck," she muttered under her breath. "Thanks for asking."

But then, to her surprise, he moved toward her, crouched down, and gently grabbed her ankle. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending a shiver up her spine. Within seconds, he freed her shoe.

Maya blinked. "You actually helped me?"

Eddie stood up, dusting off his hands. "These shoes aren't meant for school."

He pulled something from his pocket and tossed it at her. She caught it—a bandage.

Before she could say anything, he turned and walked away.

Maya stared at his retreating figure, her heart pounding.

For the first time that day, she felt... seen.