Chapter 12

I was pleasantly surprised when, after crossing the school gate, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me into a warm embrace. Before I could react, Felix greeted me with a soft kiss, utterly unbothered by the fact that we were standing in the middle of the playground. I felt curious stares on my back—the worst belonging to the jealous girls who looked as though they'd burn a hole through me if they could.

Somewhere off to the side, I heard my friend sighing dramatically, waiting for me to finish greeting my boyfriend.

Felix brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear and looked at me with such tenderness that I nearly forgot where I was.

"It's only been a night, and I already couldn't wait to see you again," he murmured, stroking my hair. From the corner of my eye, I saw Eve pretending to gag.

"If I recall correctly," Felix added with a slight smirk, "you're starting the day with Baba Yaga."

I frowned. Just the mention of her nickname made my stomach twist. That woman could drain the joy out of anyone.

"I get sick just thinking about her lessons," I muttered.

"If she makes you sick, I'll give her hell," he declared, hugging me again and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I looked at him, confused. "Are you serious? You'd stand up to her? It's Baba Yaga."

"So what? You're the most important person to me. For you, I'd do anything. Whoever stands against you stands against me."

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. He felt like the most beautiful gift I'd ever received, and I didn't want to let him go. Ever.

With his arm around my shoulder, we started walking toward the school entrance. Eve walked beside us, still furiously typing on her phone, so absorbed that she didn't notice a thing around her. Mike emerged from the crowded hallway and took advantage of it, wrapping his arms around her in a surprise hug.

"Are you crazy?!" she shouted, pushing him away while he laughed madly. "Let me go!"

Mike backed off and turned his amused gaze to us. "Bell rings in five minutes, so no more cooing, lovebirds." He folded his arms, smug. "Bro, we've got training. Better be quick."

Felix tousled my hair, his eyes on mine. "I'll see you during lunch break."

I nodded and grabbed Eve's arm, dragging her along with me since she still wasn't looking up from her screen. If we were even a minute late to Baba Yaga's class, we'd be at the blackboard faster than we could say "good morning."

"Who are you texting so intensely?" I asked as we slid into our seats a minute before the bell rang.

"Sebastian. I asked where he was, and he told me he's skipping school because he doesn't want to see me. Says he's going to accuse me of sexual harassment."

I rolled my eyes. Their relationship was at a kindergarten level. I pitied Sebastian—he'd fallen into the clutches of a total witch. But then again, maybe she was his destiny. They say opposites attract.

"Maybe give him some space. You're overwhelming him. At this rate, he's going to end up hating you," I said.

"But I want him. I've decided it's him I like."

I didn't have the strength to explain that this wasn't how love worked. She'd have to learn that herself.

During the long break, we sat in the cafeteria eating lunch. Felix insisted on feeding me his rice, saying I needed the energy. Mike watched us with a smile, and Eve was still furiously bombarding Sebastian with messages.

Suddenly, a wave of whispers swept through the cafeteria. All heads turned toward the entrance—Hannah had arrived. She headed straight for the buffet, ignoring the stares and murmurs. Once known for dressing like a tomboy, she now looked like a completely different person. Her hair, once cropped and wild, now fell in soft waves to her waist. The heavy makeup was gone, replaced by something softer and more feminine.

"I preferred her in her old look. Now she's too... common," Eve muttered, barely glancing up from her phone.

"What are you talking about? She looks lovely," Mike said, nudging Eve while keeping his eyes on Hannah.

"You guys only ever care about looks. She stops dressing like a boy and suddenly every guy's drooling. Pathetic," Eve scoffed, still typing.

Mike nudged her again, this time telling her to shut up.

Felix and I stayed quiet, simply observing. He continued feeding me, as though nothing unusual was happening.

Hannah approached our table, and Mike immediately jumped to action. He pushed Eve's chair aside with his foot and placed an empty one next to him, clearly hoping Hannah would sit there. Eve looked outraged but kept silent.

"So… Hannah, what's with the sudden makeover?" he asked, resting his arm on the back of her chair.

"I got dumped by someone I liked. Needed a change," she replied flatly, taking a bite of her food.

"How could anyone dump such an angel?" Mike asked dramatically.

I almost choked on my drink. Felix's friend never failed to lighten the mood—his filter was nonexistent.

"Because he was the devil," Hannah replied with a smirk.

"That's what happens when good girls fall for the bad boys."

"I'm not a good girl," she said. Then, with a devilish glint in her eye, she added, "In sixth grade, I stabbed a classmate in the hand with a knife. He wouldn't stop teasing me."

She said it casually, picking up her cutlery. Mike's face turned pale. He inched his chair away from her and slid Eve's chair back into its place like she was his shield.

"You're definitely a good girl," he said to Eve. "And I need to protect my beautiful hands."

"Exactly. Remember, a woman's appearance isn't everything," she replied without even looking up.

"I'll take that to heart," he muttered, thoroughly humbled.

*

After class ended, I sat alone on the bleachers in the gymnasium, watching basketball practice. I had promised Felix I'd wait for him for half an hour, since he insisted on driving me home.

I glanced around and noticed quite a few people watching the training. Most of them were girls, sighing dreamily at the players.

"Felix is so perfect. No one can take his place in my heart," one of the schoolgirls murmured just below me. They didn't seem to realize I was sitting behind them—and could hear every word.

"You don't have a chance anymore since he's taken, but Mike is still free," the other girl said. "I have to do something before it's too late."

"Why do you think I don't have a chance? These days even a married man is fair game. A girlfriend? Please. She could be gone tomorrow. Watch me."

If I had Eve's temperament, I would've immediately jumped in and torn that scheming vixen to shreds. But instead, a lump formed in my throat. I couldn't speak—I just listened, paralyzed with disbelief.

"You won't get Felix. Everyone's saying he's completely smitten with that first-year girl. I wonder what spell she used to make him fall for her so hard."

My cheeks burned with fury. I could feel anger rising like a fire inside me.

"Trying a spin is always worth a shot."

"Then spin yourself into the wall, bitch. Maybe you'll knock some sense into that empty head."I had no idea how long Eve had been sitting behind me—or why she was even there—but I only realized her presence when her voice sliced through the air like a blade.

The girls turned around at once, their faces going pale when they recognized me.

"Before you start talking trash, maybe check who's sitting nearby," I said, my voice steady now that Eve had my back. "Shameless. Some girls really would flirt with someone else's boyfriend without batting an eye."

They didn't say a word. Just stood and hurried away like they'd been caught committing a crime. Eve walked down to sit beside me, pride gleaming in her eyes.

"That's my girl. Would you have said anything if I hadn't been here?"

"Exactly—what are you doing here? I told you I was going home with Felix."

She rolled her eyes and huffed."You think I came here for you? Since you're going to be busy whispering sweet nothings, Mike and I are going to McDonald's for a laugh. I'm waiting for him."

I narrowed my eyes."Don't tell me you've started falling for him now."

She clutched her chest and burst into theatrical laughter."He's like a friend to me. Gay friend vibes. There's no way I could feel attracted to him. No offense, but he's more like my soulmate—the platonic kind. The only one I'm planning to devour is Sebastian."

I wanted to smack my forehead. Sometimes she said the dumbest things and I had no idea how we were even friends.

"As long as your sex train doesn't switch tracks and arrive at the station: Mike," I teased, smirking. Watching her scowl always made me weirdly satisfied.

"You should worry more about your own train," she shot back. "Felix might get derailed himself."

Her jab hit deeper than I expected. I went pale, unable to respond.

"I hope you enjoy those burgers," I snapped instead. "May they make you fat."

Just then, Felix appeared, with Mike beside him. Both of them were fresh from the showers, smelling like body wash and confidence. My boyfriend reached for my hand, his smile lighting up his face.

"I'm ready. We can go now."

We descended from the bleachers, and as I turned, I saw Eve throwing her arm around Mike's shoulders. She was talking animatedly, and he nodded along, clearly entertained.

I knew I shouldn't think like this—but if Eve could, she'd probably seduce half the school by lunchtime.

"My parents aren't home," I said, glancing up at Felix with a small smile. "So if you're taking me home, why not stay for dinner?"

I noticed the spark in his eyes instantly.

"Fantastic. You're finally inviting me in? I've been waiting for this."

I wrapped my arms around his and leaned into him as we strolled through the corridor toward the exit.

Tonight, I wanted it to be just the two of us. I had the house to myself until ten, and I intended to make the most of it.

Who knew what the evening might bring?