The morning sun was a cruel reminder that reality had a habit of crashing into fantasy.
Ella stared at herself in the mirror, still half in disbelief. Her lips were slightly bruised, her skin humming with the memory of Ryan's touch. Her breath hitched at the thought of how he'd looked at her like she was something he couldn't wait to ruin.
What had she done?
Worse—why did she like it?
****
Walking into Monteluz Academy felt different today.
She held her chin high, her uniform perfect, her stride controlled. But inside? Total storm.
He was going to pretend nothing happened. That's what arrogant, cocky boys like Ryan did. Kiss you like you were the air they breathed, then smirk at someone else ten seconds later. She'd made a mistake.
One she wouldn't repeat.
She found him by his usual marble staircase throne—this time with a girl wrapped around his arm. Long legs. Blonde hair. The type that giggled too loud and touched too much.
Ella's stomach twisted.
He saw her.
Of course he did.
And then he did what he did best—he winked.
Right at her.
Her jaw clenched.
"Who's she?" someone beside her asked.
Ella turned to see Camila, a girl from her Literature class. She was sharp, observant, and definitely smelled drama.
"Nobody," Ella muttered.
Camila raised a brow. "Nobody doesn't usually look like she wants to burn someone alive."
*****
By lunch, the tension was unbearable.
Ryan was everywhere.
In the hallway.
By the lockers.
In her math class.
And in all the wrong corners of her mind.
He didn't approach her. He didn't say a word. But his gaze? It was always there. Lingering. Laced with something dangerous.
She tried to eat, but the cafeteria food tasted like cardboard. She poked at her plate as Camila sat beside her.
"So, what's the story?" Camila asked, sipping her iced coffee.
"There's no story."
Camila smirked. "Right. You just happened to come in this morning looking like someone rocked your world, and then gave Ryan Cortez a look that could start a wildfire."
Ella sighed. "He's a mistake."
"Those are the best kind."
"I'm serious."
Camila leaned in. "Let me guess. You kissed. It was hot. You're now spiraling."
"Something like that."
"Ella, here's the deal," Camila said with a teasing tone. "You don't kiss boys like Ryan and expect peace. You just pray the drama's worth it."
Ella looked across the cafeteria.
Ryan's arm was still around the blonde.
But his eyes?
Still locked on her.
****
After school, she tried to avoid him. Took the long hallway, waited five extra minutes, ducked past the main gates.
It didn't work.
He caught her in the parking lot.
"Running away already?" His voice was low, teasing.
She froze.
"Get lost, Cortez."
"I already did. Last night. In your mouth."
Her cheeks burned. "You're disgusting."
"You didn't think that when you were moaning."
She turned to slap him again, but this time he caught her wrist.
The air between them cracked.
"Try that again," he whispered, stepping closer, "and I swear, I'll kiss you in front of every damn person in this school."
She yanked her hand back. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because you liked it. And I don't play fair."
Ella's voice was tight. "This isn't a game to me."
Ryan leaned in, mouth near her ear.
"Then you're already losing."
He walked off like nothing happened.
Like he hadn't just ripped her logic to shreds and set her hormones on fire.
*****
That night, she locked her phone in her drawer.
She didn't want to see another message. Another temptation.
But at 1:04 a.m., her phone buzzed.
Ryan:
Still pretending? Sweet dreams, trouble.
She buried her face in her pillow and screamed.
She hated him.
She wanted him.
And she had no idea how much worse it was going to get.