CHAPTER 2

2

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**After classes ended, I scanned the hallway actively, desperately looking for the guy who had caught my attention earlier. But before I could spot him, Taylor called out to me.**

"What was that about?" she asked, intrigued.

"Exactly what I'm trying to figure out," I replied with a touch of irony, not even knowing his name. "Have you seen him?"

Taylor quickly glanced around before pointing toward a corner of the courtyard.

"He's over there, next to Gavin."

I followed her gaze and saw him deep in conversation with his friends. My initial momentum faded, replaced by an odd hesitation. Now that I'd found him, how was I supposed to approach him?

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and walked toward him, trying to ignore the nervousness bubbling inside me.

"Hey," I said simply.

Gavin, ever so smug, flashed me a flirtatious grin.

"Hey, beautiful."

"Not in the mood," I shot back, glaring at him before turning my attention to the stranger.

The guy stared at me for a moment, mild amusement flickering in his eyes, before speaking.

"You could call me by my name, you know," he said as though testing if I actually knew it.

I pressed my lips together, slightly embarrassed.

"I would've… if I knew it," I admitted. "Sorry."

A brief silence fell between us before I added, a little more timidly:

"And… thanks. For earlier, in the hallway."

Without waiting for a reply, I turned on my heel, my heart pounding a little faster than usual. I took a moment to adjust my scarf, which had kept slipping down during class.

Just as I thought I was in the clear, a hand suddenly grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop.

"His name's Aidan!" Brody declared with a teasing smile. "You might wanna thank him properly this time."

"No need," Aidan cut in, visibly just as uneasy as I was.

I lowered my gaze and murmured:

"No, he's right… Thanks, Aidan."

I instinctively smiled at him, though my scarf probably hid it.

Aidan didn't respond right away. He just stared, looking a little thrown.

My name, spoken in his soft, slightly hesitant voice, sent an inexplicable shiver down his spine, or so he thought.

Without adding another word, I walked away to join Taylor, leaving them to resume their conversation. Yet, even as I distanced myself, I could still feel his eyes on me.

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**Aidan's POV – Flashback: That morning**

That morning, after pulling on a sweater and jeans, I hit the road. Once I arrived, I parked my car and spotted the guys in the distance.

"Yo," I greeted, walking over to them.

"Hey," they replied in unison.

Austin looked at me with a sly grin, clearly amused.

"So, your bet?" he asked, laughing.

"I could ask you the same thing," I shot back with a smirk.

"Touche! Alright, drop me off, bro," he added, laughing even harder.

Gavin chimed in with a mischievous look.

"Might be the perfect time for you, Aidan. According to my sister, she's single."

"Yeah, you should go for it," Brody agreed. "Austin's already planning to ask his bet out."

I didn't wait a second longer. Without thinking, I made my way toward her. She was alone in the hallway with some guy. Her look was odd, like she was trying to blend in… but it was pointless. No matter what she wore, you couldn't help but notice her.

"Kaylee," I called.

And somehow, without even knowing how, we ended up running. We dashed through the hallways until we reached class. Later, after school, she came to thank me… for what, I still had no idea.

I frowned slightly as I watched her walk away.

"She really doesn't know my name? Is it possible not to know me?" I asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Told you, man. She's weird," Austin commented.

"It's been, what… three years she's been at this school? And she's never been to one of our games?" Gavin added, incredulous.

"No way… Even the old ladies show up to those," I muttered.

"She's just… special. Like I always say," Brody chimed in with a smile.

"Really special," I murmured, an intrigued smile tugging at my lips.

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**The next day, I spent the entire day trying to talk to Kaylee, but she was always with Taylor. Every time I tried to approach, it was like she purposely avoided me. Then after school, when I found myself alone in the hallway, I spotted her at her locker. This was my chance. I had to take it.**

**Me:** "By the way… how come you don't know my name?"

Kaylee snapped her locker shut and shot me a surprised look.

**Her:** "Is that how you start conversations?" A light laugh escaped her lips.

**Me:** "Ah, missed the mark."

**Kaylee:** "You mean, 'By the way… how come you don't know my *first* name?'" She gave me an amused look like I was missing something obvious.

When she realized I was actually lost, she burst out laughing, this time fully.

**Kaylee:** "Forget it…" She kept giggling.

**Me:** "You know you have a really pretty smile, right?"

I had no idea why I said that. It just slipped out. But it was true. She had this natural, radiant smile — something effortlessly adorable. Damn.

**Kaylee:** "And who taught you that flirting with a girl meant skipping the 'hi'?"

**Me:** A little embarrassed, I stammered, "Well…"

**Kaylee:** "Let me guess — you're one of those guys who go with 'Hey, haven't we met somewhere before?'"

**Me:** Sarcastically, I replied, "Hello, Kaylee. How are you?"

**Kaylee:** "Very well, and you?" She shot me a mischievous look. "See? Not so hard, is it. So what do you want? I have to get home."

**Me:** "You're invited to the game on Friday."

**Kaylee:** "Thanks, but no."

**Me:** "It's only Wednesday, you know. Bit early for a definite answer."

**Kaylee:** "I already said no. Can I go now?"

**Me:** "Yeah… see you Friday, then."

**Kaylee:** "I told you I'm not coming."

**Me:** "You will. I'm telling you — there's a goal with your name on it."

**Kaylee:** "Nope. Not coming. No, no — it's a no." She left, tossing one last look my way and slamming her locker shut.

I couldn't help watching her go. Her back disappeared into the sea of students, and I kept my eyes on her until she turned the corner. She was really gone this time. I had to hurry or I'd be late for practice.

I headed for the football field when, out of nowhere, Austin popped up with that knowing look and his trademark smug grin — a sure sign he was up to something.

**Me:** "Oh, f***, Torres…" I jumped, genuinely caught off guard.

**Austin:** He threw me a mocking glance. "Aw, would you look at that — you've got a cute little smile too!" He burst out laughing.

**Me:** "Quit messing with me."

**Austin:** "She's not coming, I'm telling you."

**Me:** "Bet you she will. Anyway, how long have you been here?"

**Austin:** "Since the beginning."

**Me:** "And why didn't I see you?"

**Austin:** "Always knew you had vision problems. Come, I'll show you."

He dragged me without warning to a classroom door.

**Austin:** "Right there, behind it."

**Me:** "You know what? Turn around."

I shoved him inside and, without thinking, closed the door behind him. I could hear him cursing, calling me every name in the book, demanding I open the door. He had it coming. Nobody messes with me like that.

I sprinted toward the field, my mind filled with images of Kaylee. Secretly, I hoped she'd show up for the game. Honestly, I was sure she'd give in eventually.

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