Chapter Three

Madisyn kept her head down as she walked through the crowded hallways, the buzz of students around her fading into background noise. She gripped the straps of her backpack tighter, heart hammering. She hadn't seen Chris all morning—not in the parking lot, not in first period, not even in the halls between classes.

She should've felt relieved.

Instead, she felt watched.

"Girl, you are walking way too fast for someone who doesn't have anywhere to be," Malika called from behind her, catching up with a dramatic sigh. "Seriously, where's the fire?"

"No fire," Madisyn muttered, forcing a smile. "Just… hungry."

Malika arched a brow. "Uh-huh."

Rosetta joined them as they stepped into the cafeteria, her sleek dark hair bouncing as she linked arms with Madisyn. "I call dibs on your fries if you don't finish them," she said, grinning. "Fair warning."

Madisyn let out a small laugh, thankful for the distraction. "You always steal my fries."

"Exactly. This is just me being polite about it."

They found their usual table by the windows, settling in as Malika launched into a rant about her chemistry teacher. Madisyn nodded along, but her eyes kept flicking toward the entrance.

Waiting.

Dreading.

And then there he was.

Chris walked into the cafeteria, tall and effortlessly confident, his dark eyes scanning the room. The second they landed on her, her stomach clenched.

She looked away, shoving a fry into her mouth like it would make her invisible.

Malika and Rosetta exchanged a glance.

"You good?" Malika asked, lowering her voice.

"Yeah," Madisyn said quickly. "Totally."

Malika wasn't convinced, but before she could press further, a shadow fell over the table.

Chris.

"Hey, Maddie," he said, his voice smooth but laced with something unreadable.

Her fingers tightened around her drink. "Hey."

His gaze flicked to Malika and Rosetta, then back to her. "Haven't seen you all day. Where you been?"

She forced herself to meet his eyes, keeping her expression neutral. "Cheer practice."

It wasn't a lie. Not exactly.

Chris studied her for a beat too long.

Chris tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes studying her as if trying to catch a lie in her expression. "Cheer practice, huh?" His voice was smooth, but there was something sharp underneath it, something that made Madisyn's skin prickle.

She forced a smile. "Yeah, practice ran late." She hoped he wouldn't notice how her hands gripped the edge of the lunch table a little too tightly.

Malika and Rosetta exchanged a glance, their conversation having died down the moment Chris appeared. Rosetta, always the bold one, leaned forward. "She's been busy, you know? Captain duties and all."

Chris didn't take his eyes off Madisyn. "Right. Busy." He dragged out the word like he didn't quite believe it.

Madisyn's stomach tightened. She could feel the weight of his gaze, heavy and unrelenting, but she refused to shrink under it. Instead, she shifted in her seat and grabbed her juice box, taking a long sip like she was completely unbothered. "Yup. Gotta keep the squad in shape."

Chris hummed in response, then glanced at Malika and Rosetta. "Can I talk to you alone?"

Malika bristled. "Actually, we were in the middle of-"

"It's fine," Madisyn interrupted quickly, standing up before her friends could protest. She didn't want to make a scene. Besides, it was better to get this over with now.

Chris led her a few steps away, just out of earshot from the crowded cafeteria but still in plain sight. She could feel Malika's and Rosetta's eyes on her, watching carefully.

Chris leaned in, his voice low. "Are you avoiding me?"

Madisyn let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Chris, don't be ridiculous."

His jaw tightened. "Then why haven't you answered my texts? Why did you leave so fast after class?"

She swallowed hard. He noticed everything. "I told you, practice ran late."

His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he nodded slowly. "Okay. If you say so." He reached up, tucking a curl behind her ear, and she had to fight the urge to flinch.

"See you after school?" he asked, his tone casual, but there was a weight behind the words.

Madisyn hesitated. She didn't want to be alone with him. Not after the nightmare. Not after the way his presence sent a chill down her spine.

But she couldn't say no. Not yet.

She forced another smile. "Yeah. Sure."

Chris studied her for a moment longer, then smirked. "Good." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, heart pounding.

Rosetta was at her side in an instant. "Madisyn. What the hell?"

Malika crossed her arms. "Why are you still talking to him?"

Madisyn exhaled slowly, shaking her head. "I don't know."

But she did. Because for now, she had to play along. She had to pretend. Until she figured out how to get away.