Fault Lines

Jake didn't sleep that night.

He sat alone in the café after closing, apron crumpled on the counter, staring at the spot where she had stood.

Emma Valeria.

Of course it had to be her.

It wasn't just her last name—it was everything she carried with it. That air of luxury, entitlement, the confidence of someone who'd never known desperation. Yet, she walked like she didn't want attention, and spoke like she meant every word. It confused him. He hated how it confused him.

He scrubbed the counter harder than necessary, hoping the heat in his chest would disappear with the stains.

The Next Day

Emma was unusually early to class.

"Somebody's eager," Lila teased, adjusting her ponytail as they walked into the lecture hall.

"I figured it was time I started acting like the heiress everyone thinks I am," Emma said, but her eyes flicked toward the door, expecting—hoping.

Jake walked in moments later, his expression unreadable, as usual. He sat down two rows ahead of her, didn't even glance back.

Emma sighed. "Or not."

Lila leaned in. "You know, he's not ignoring you because he's shy. There's something else there. He looks at you like you've burned his favorite book."

"I know," Emma whispered. "And yet... I can't stop wanting to be in his chapter."

Elsewhere on Campus

Rhea Carson paced in the girls' locker room, the glossy tiles echoing her steps. Her friend, Madeline, leaned against the bench.

"She just showed up and what? He's talking to her?" Rhea hissed. "He hasn't talked to anyone in months. I've been here years."

Madeline shrugged. "Maybe she's different."

Rhea glared. "No. She's just richer. Louder. She doesn't even know him. I do. I've seen him every morning in the lab. I know how he likes his coffee. How he bites his lip when he's focused."

Madeline said nothing.

Rhea pulled her phone out and tapped through a photo album. One picture stood out—Jake at the café, blurry and zoomed in from outside the window. She stared at it for a moment, then hit delete.

"I won't let her ruin this."

Later That Week – Biology Lab

The class was paired up for a cell dissection project. Emma's heart jumped when she was paired with Jake, thanks to the professor's random list.

Jake walked to the lab table, eyes set straight ahead.

"Guess we're lab partners," Emma said brightly.

"I'll do the work," Jake replied without looking at her. "You can just stand there and look interested."

"I am interested," she said, putting on her gloves. "In biology. And you."

That made him pause.

He finally looked at her, jaw clenched. "You don't know me. Don't pretend you do."

Emma met his stare. "Then tell me who you are."

Jake's lips pressed into a line. "You won't like the story."

He began slicing the cell sample in silence. Emma watched his hands—precise, calm, skilled. There was something beautiful about the way he moved when he was focused.

"I saw you at the café," she said softly. "You looked... real. Like someone who wasn't pretending."

Jake didn't look up. "Don't mistake struggle for authenticity."

Emma blinked. "I don't. I've had my own cages, too."

Jake gave a dry laugh. "Your cages probably have velvet walls."

She didn't respond. Not with words. Just leaned a little closer and said, "Maybe. But they're still cages."

That shut him up.

A Few Days Later – The First Storm

It was pouring rain. The courtyard flooded quickly, and students rushed to shelter. Emma and Lila had stayed back to ask a professor something. By the time they left the building, umbrellas were gone, and so were most students.

"Let's wait it out," Lila said.

Emma's gaze flicked to the library building, where Jake stood under the entrance, alone. Hood pulled up, head tilted up toward the sky.

"I'm going," she said.

"Emma—"

But she was already running.

Water soaked her jeans and hair, but she didn't care. She reached him, panting.

Jake blinked. "Do you have a thing for being in inconvenient places?"

"Maybe," she laughed. "Or maybe I just want to talk to someone who doesn't pretend to like me for my last name."

He hesitated.

"I'm not like the rest of them, Jake."

Jake looked at her, rain dripping down both their faces. "No. You're worse."

Emma stepped back, hurt flashing in her eyes.

Jake looked away. "You keep chasing me. But you don't know what you're chasing."

"I know enough," she said quietly. "I know you're kind even when you're rude. I know you're brilliant. I know you care about people even when you pretend not to. And I know... I don't want to stop getting to know you."

Jake's eyes narrowed slightly. His voice came low. "Don't say that like it's something beautiful."

He turned and walked into the rain.

Scene Change – Night

Rhea stood at the window of her dorm, watching the rain.

On her desk was a small black envelope.

Inside, a printout of a news article from five years ago.

"Tragic Explosion at Valeria Pharmaceutical's Factory Leaves Two Dead"

Names listed: Lillian Rolister. Caleb Rolister.

Rhea's eyes burned as she read the last line:

The cause of the accident remains under review. No legal action was taken against the Valeria Corporation.

She stared at the photo clipped beneath it—Jake, barely fifteen, standing between two coffins, expression stone cold.

A twisted smile curled on her lips.

So that was the secret.

End of Part 2!