The air in the school felt charged the next morning. Rumors of yesterday's assembly had spread like wildfire. Every hallway glance seemed loaded with expectation, every whisper pointed in Alex's direction. She tugged at her uniform, trying to appear calm, but inside, her heart was still racing.
Max, as usual, appeared beside her like a shadow she couldn't shake. His grin was there, that confident, dangerous grin that made her knees feel weak, but there was something softer today—a quiet reassurance.
"You ready for another round of high school chaos?" he asked, voice low and teasing.
Alex rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide her smile. "I don't think high school has enough chaos for this year," she muttered.
"Good thing I'm here, then," Max replied, his tone confident, protective, and just a little flirtatious.
As they walked to their first class, Chloe appeared in the hallway, chatting animatedly with Ryan. The golden boy's eyes flicked toward Alex, sharp and calculating, but when he saw Max beside her, his smug expression faltered.
Alex felt a strange thrill at the sight. She had spent years quietly enduring Ryan's teasing, but now… things were different. Max's presence was a shield, a warning, and more than that, it made her pulse race in a way she couldn't quite control.
The morning classes passed in a blur, with Max subtly making his presence known wherever Alex went. A notebook dropped near her? Max was there to hand it back. A sly comment from a classmate? Max's sharp gaze silenced it immediately. By lunch, Alex realized she hadn't felt this secure—or this alive—in a long time.
But school life is never without complications.
As Alex walked to the cafeteria, she felt a hand brush against hers. Turning, she found Max smirking.
"Careful," he said quietly. "The golden boy has his eyes on you. And he's plotting."
Alex felt a shiver run down her spine. "Plotting what?"
Max's smirk deepened. "Jealousy doesn't make him pretty. Just… keep your wits about you."
Her stomach fluttered. She had never felt more conflicted in her life—thrilled by Max, frustrated by Ryan, and embarrassed by how easily her emotions were being manipulated.
By the time lunch ended, Chloe approached Alex with a sly smile.
"Ryan told me you got the scholarship instead of me," she said sweetly, though the glint in her eye made it clear she intended malice. "I hope you enjoy it while it lasts."
Alex's first instinct was to stay quiet, but Max appeared at her side, crossing his arms.
"Back off," Max said smoothly, his tone sharp but controlled. "She earned it. Not you, not Ryan, not anyone else."
Chloe's face paled slightly, and she stepped back. Alex felt warmth flood her chest—not just from Max defending her, but from the fact that she no longer felt alone.
The rest of the day continued with a strange rhythm. Ryan's attention shifted between Chloe and Alex, his irritation barely masked. Max stayed near Alex, sometimes whispering teasing comments, sometimes protective warnings. Every time their eyes met, Alex felt a fluttering she couldn't explain—a mix of fear, excitement, and attraction.
After school, Alex was walking home when she realized someone was following her. Her pace quickened, heart thudding.
"Alex?" Max's voice came from behind her, calm yet urgent. She turned to see him jogging to catch up. "You okay?"
"I… I think so," Alex said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
Max's eyes scanned the street, sharp and alert. "You've got nothing to worry about. I've got you."
Alex's breath caught. She wanted to argue, to insist she could handle herself, but the truth was undeniable: she felt safer with him than she had in years. The thrill of being protected, the dangerous closeness—it all made her heart race.
They walked together for a while, the silence between them comfortable. Then Max spoke, voice low, almost intimate.
"You don't have to pretend with me, Alex. I see what's happening. Ryan, Chloe, the rumors… but none of it matters. Not when you're with me."
Alex's cheeks burned. Her pulse raced. She wanted to believe him, to trust him, but years of hiding, of being careful, made her hesitate.
"I…" she started, but Max leaned slightly closer, his presence overwhelming and intoxicating. "I know you don't trust easily. But I won't let anyone hurt you. Not Ryan. Not Chloe. Not anyone."
Her heart skipped. The way he said it, the certainty in his voice, made something inside her shift. For the first time in a long time, she felt desired—not just noticed, not just a rumor—but truly wanted.
As they reached the corner where their paths diverged, Max gave her a sly, almost teasing grin. "Tomorrow," he said softly, "I'll make sure your day goes smoother. Maybe even fun."
Alex swallowed, a mix of nervousness and excitement coursing through her. "I… I look forward to it," she whispered.
Max's smirk lingered as he waved goodbye and disappeared down the street. Alex stood there for a moment, heart racing, feeling the heat of anticipation. She knew one thing for sure: the golden boy and the bad boy rivalry was only just beginning—and she was right at the center of it.
For the first time, Alex didn't dread high school drama. She wanted it. She craved it. Especially if Max Donovan was the one by her side.