Game On

Today is going to be different.

Today, I'm in control.

No more letting Brian West call the shots. No more him getting in my head.

I throw on a black skirt over my tights, pair it with a cropped V-neck sweater, and adjust the silver chain draped over my hip. Today's look is a statement. And maybe just maybe a warning.

On my way to school, I meet up with Adria.

Adria whistles when she sees me. "Damn, girl. You look dangerous. Love it."

"Thanks." I grin.

She bumps her shoulder into mine. "So… you gonna tell me about yesterday, or do I have to beat it out of you?"

I groan. "It was… nothing."

"Nothing?" She stares. "You and Brian alone in a room, and it was nothing? SPILLLL"

I sigh, then spill everything—the painting, the almost-confession, the way Brian looked at me.

Adria hums, thoughtful. "And what do you think he was gonna say?"

"I don't know. And honestly? I don't care."

She gives me a look. "Really?"

I nod. "Really."

Adria gives me a knowing look. "Mmmhmm."

"I don't," I insist.

Because today? Brian West is not taking up space in my head.

But the universe clearly has other plans.

The second I reach my locker, I stop short.

Erin Parker.

Captain of the basketball team. King of the school's social scene. A known player in every sense of the word. Also, Ivy's on-again, off-again ex. Yes Ivy, the girl who has made it her mission to destroy me.

And yet, here he is, leaning against my locker like he's been waiting.

"Hey," he says, flashing that golden-boy smile, the one that's probably worked on a thousand girls before me.

I cross my arms. "Hey."

He smirks. "Straight to the point? I like that. Listen, I'm throwing a party this weekend. You should come."

I blink. What?

Erin Parker has never spoken to me before. Now he's inviting me to a party?

"That's why you're personally inviting me?"

"Yeah." He says it like it's obvious.

I narrow my eyes. "Why?"

His smirk falters. "What?"

"You don't talk to me. Why now?"

Erin tilts his head, considering me. Then, with a lazy grin, he rubs the back of his neck. "I don't know, Leah. You intrigue me, I guess."

I arch an eyebrow. "That all?"

"Does there need to be more?" He leans in slightly. "You coming or not?"

I keep my voice neutral. "I'll think about it."

His smirk returns, victorious. "I really hope you show up, Leah." His gaze drags over me, slow and deliberate. "You look… stunning."

Then he walks away.

And that's when I feel it.

A presence. A weight pressing against my spine.

I turn—and there he is.

Brian.

He's across the hall, watching. No glowering. Jaw tight. Fists clenched. Like he's barely restraining himself from walking over and doing something reckless.

Something about that look sends a thrill through me.

I square my shoulders and turn away, forcing my heartbeat to steady. I won't let him get to me.

But Brian West is impossible to ignore.

English Class was the worst 

The moment Brian walks in, the air shifts.

He doesn't just enter a room he consumes it. And the worst part? He doesn't even try.

His gaze finds me instantly. It darkens.

Then he does the worst thing imaginable.

He sits right behind me.

I swear I can feel his eyes burning into my back. The entire class, I can't think, can't focus. Every shift in his seat, every slow breath, unravels me.

I pretend not to care. I pretend so hard.

But I don't relax until the bell rings.

And then I bolt.

Lunch time the only time to relax 

Adria and I settle into our usual spot, but she's already grinning like a lunatic.

"So… you and Erin?"

I groan. "You saw that?"

"Everyone saw that." She wiggles her brows. "So? What's the deal?"

"There's no deal. He just invited me to a party."

"And?"

"And I don't know if I'm going."

Adria gasps. "Boring. Leah, Erin never talks to you. Something's up."

"Maybe," I admit. "Or maybe he just wants to see Ivy squirm." I smirk. "Which, let's be honest, is kind of fun."

"Oh, for sure," she says. "They just broke up again. Like, for the thirteenth time."

I roll my eyes. "Their problem."

Then, suddenly

"Oh! Hey, Nate!"

Wait. Who?

I turn just in time to see Nate the human embodiment of a golden retriever walking toward us.

And right beside him?

Brian.

No, no, no, no

"Hey, ladies," Nate greets, flashing a megawatt smile. Meanwhile, Brian…

Brian looks like Brian. Baggy jeans, baby blue shirt, a permanent scowl like he's barely tolerating this interaction.

"Mind if we join?" Nate asks.

Adria, the traitor, beams. "Of course!"

What the

Before I can protest, they sit. And Brian is next to me.

Too close. Way too close.

"So," Nate starts, "you're Leah, huh?"

I blink. "Uh… yeah?"

"Adria talks about you all the time. You're basically famous." He grins. "Honestly? I'm kinda jealous."

I wave a hand. "Nothing to be jealous of."

Nate throws Brian a look, then changes the subject, launching into some joke about our English teacher. I try to pretend I'm listening, but I can't.

Because Brian is silent. Watching. Waiting.

And then Nate, completely unaware he's just lit a match in a room full of gasoline, asks, "So, I heard about the party. You ladies going?"

Before I can even respond

"Of course!" Adria blurts. "Especially since Erin personally invited Leah."

And there it is.

Brian finally speaks.

"Erin," he says, slow. Dangerous. "Your new boyfriend?"

I scoff. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Right." His tone is sharp, edged with something I can't place. "Because Erin Parker is famous for his friendships with girls."

I frown. "Just because he's known for something doesn't mean it's the same with me."

Brian lets out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Wow. So now you're defending him?"

I roll my eyes. "Who said anything about defending? He invited me to a party. That's it."

Brian leans forward, voice low. "He invited you because he wants something ."

I freeze.

And then I do something reckless.

I tilt my head, give him my sweetest, fakest smile. "Maybe I want something too. Maybe I like the attention. What's it to you, Mom?"

Brian's jaw locks.

His eyes? Deadly.

Silence coils between us, thick with unspoken words, with fire.

"Your shouldn't go to that party"

"Why?"

"Because you shouldn't go" he says defensively

Like that's even a reason

" Nobody asked of your opinion Brian and you lost those privileges when you left" I stand abruptly

"You know what? I wasn't planning on going before, but I definitely am now. First time for everything, right?"

The bell rings.

I don't wait for his response. I just walk away.

But as I do, I can feel his gaze burning into me.

Game on.