Eden's back was still pressed against the concrete wall, her chest rising and falling beneath her shirt as Hunter pulled back slightly, his lips swollen, his breath ragged.
His fingers stayed at her waist.
Neither of them spoke for a long moment.
"You know this will just make everything worse," she whispered.
Hunter's eyes stayed locked on her lips. "I know."
"Someone could've seen us."
"Let them."
"You really don't care?"
His voice dropped lower, rougher. "I care. I care so much it makes me stupid. That's the problem."
He rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed. "I can't go back, Eden. Not after last night. Not after you chose me."
She swallowed, her throat tight. "Then don't."
Footsteps echoed above them.
They jumped apart like they'd been caught naked.
Because in a way — they had been.
Later – Biology Class
Eden slid into her seat, keeping her head low. She could feel it — the stares, the subtle looks, the text messages being passed across screens under desks.
Hunter wasn't here.
Neither was Liam.
But the tension sat in the room like thick humidity before a lightning strike.
Miss Kerr, the young science teacher with too-good vision and too-loud heels, walked in and immediately zeroed in on Eden.
She didn't say anything.
Not yet.
But when the bell rang and the students settled, Miss Kerr walked straight to Eden's desk.
"Miss Blake, a moment after class."
Eden's stomach sank.
After Class – The Warning
Miss Kerr waited until the last student left before shutting the door behind her.
Eden stood awkwardly, backpack over one shoulder.
Miss Kerr folded her arms. "I'm not going to scold you, Eden."
Eden blinked. "Okay…"
"But you need to be careful."
"About what?"
"About who you let follow you up stairwells. And who you let kiss you like that in public buildings with cameras."
Eden's cheeks burned. "There aren't cameras in that stairwell."
Miss Kerr raised a brow. "You're not the only pair of eyes in this school."
Eden dropped her gaze.
"Look, I'm not judging you," Kerr said more softly now. "You're not the first girl to get caught up with someone like him."
"Someone like him?"
"Passionate. Reckless. Protective. Dangerous."
"You don't know him."
"I know his kind."
That landed harder than Eden expected.
"You're smart, Eden," Kerr added. "Don't set yourself on fire just because he keeps you warm."
---
The Hallway – 5 Minutes Later
Eden stepped into the hallway just as Hunter rounded the corner from the east wing.
He looked at her once — then slowed.
"You okay?"
She didn't answer right away.
Instead, she reached for his hand.
He blinked.
"Miss Kerr warned me."
His jaw tightened. "What did she say?"
"That you're dangerous."
He gave a dry laugh. "She's not wrong."
"She is," Eden whispered. "She doesn't know you like I do."
His hand squeezed hers.
"I don't care what anyone thinks," she continued. "But this… all of it… it's starting to feel like a war."
"Then let's win."
She looked at him.
Hunter's voice was steel. "Whatever it takes. We win."