Scott Lancaster was a problem.
Not the kind of problem that wore a villain's mask or made threats in the hallway. No—Scott was more dangerous than that. He was a puzzle dressed in sarcasm, mischief, and a devastating grin.
And worse… he was finally done playing nice.
It started the day after the fire alarm incident. Penelope arrived at school and immediately sensed the shift. People were buzzing—not about Julian or Marc—but about Scott.
"Did you see him this morning?"
"He showed up on a motorcycle."
"No, not just a motorcycle. He had someone on the back."
Penelope didn't usually listen to hallway gossip, but this one made her ears perk.
Someone?
Then she saw him.
Scott strolled in like he owned the school. Aviator shades. Collared shirt unbuttoned just enough. A silver chain that caught the light. And walking beside him was Celeste Vega, the older girl who had graduated two years ago and definitely wasn't supposed to be here.
Penelope blinked.
"What in the Gossip Girl is going on here?" Veronica whispered beside her, jaw practically on the floor.
"I don't know," Penelope murmured, "but that's not the Scott from last week."
As if hearing them, Scott glanced their way and smiled.
It wasn't his usual lazy, teasing smile.
It was calculated.
And then—just to make things more insane—he winked. At Penelope.
Veronica gasped. "He winked. He winked at you."
"Stop it."
"Girl. Don't you dare act calm."
Before Penelope could respond, Scott made his way through the crowd toward them.
Celeste veered off toward the admin office, her heels echoing like she was part of a music video. Scott, however, walked right up to Penelope.
"You smell like drama," he said smoothly.
"What?" Penelope blinked.
"And I like that." He leaned against the locker beside her. "How's Julian? Still brooding? And Marc? Still pretending he's the only one who matters?"
Penelope didn't know what to say.
Veronica did. "Are you trying to be mysterious or just obnoxious?"
Scott smirked. "Why choose?"
Penelope tilted her head. "What do you want, Scott?"
He looked her dead in the eye. "I want in."
"On what?"
He grinned. "Whatever this chaos is you're caught in. Love triangles. Tears in the hallway. Midnight confessions. Seems like a good show. I want a role."
Penelope crossed her arms. "So this is a game to you?"
Scott leaned closer, and for a moment, the playfulness vanished. "No. But you all keep pretending none of this means anything. That Julian doesn't see ghosts when he looks at you. That Marc isn't just one heartbreak away from doing something reckless."
His voice dropped lower. "And that you don't like being the center of it all."
Veronica's eyes went wide. "Okay, can I just say—this is way better than the school play."
Penelope didn't respond. Not because Scott was wrong—but because he'd just done something no one else had: peeled back a truth she hadn't dared look at herself.
Scott straightened, offering a mock bow. "See you around, Pen."
He walked away like he hadn't just dropped emotional dynamite at her feet.
Veronica turned slowly. "That man is dangerous."
"I know," Penelope whispered.
And for the first time… she wasn't sure whether that scared her or thrilled her.