Kara's alarm buzzed loudly across the room, sharp and insistent—but she was already awake.
Her eyes flew open, heart racing, anticipation fizzing through her veins like static. She shot upright and lunged across the mattress, slapping the alarm silent before it could buzz a second time. A breathless laugh slipped from her lips as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.
Today mattered.
She stood there for a moment, barefoot against the cool floor, then moved with purpose. She opened her small wardrobe and lingered, fingers brushing over fabric as she chose carefully—more carefully than she ever had before.
She settled on her best spring outfit: light-colored jeans that fit just right, a soft long-sleeved top tucked in neatly, and a thin jacket she'd only worn once before. Clean. Simple. Hers. Shoes she actually liked instead of tolerated.
In the bathroom, she took her time.
She washed her face slowly, tied and untied her black hair twice before finally letting it fall just the way she wanted—smooth, glossy, framing her face instead of hiding it. She practiced smiling in her reflection, tentative at first, then a little more sure.
The mirror was new. Small, but uncracked.
That alone made her chest tighten.
Before leaving, Kara paused in the middle of her apartment.
She looked around.
Clean sheets on the mattress—even if it still rested on the floor. A working air conditioner humming softly. A small wardrobe filled with clothes that actually belonged to her. Shoes lined neatly against the wall. Fake plants hanging near the window. Light pouring in, warm and golden. No cracked mirror. No stained sink. Hot water whenever she needed it.
It felt unreal.
Because of Adam, she had been pulled out of something dark and suffocating—dragged from a cold, endless sea back to the surface, where she could finally breathe again.
Because of him and the abundant amount of extra clothes she sold, plus her job earnings, she could actually live a healthy and normal life instead of feeding on scraps.
She smiled.
Then she grabbed her bag and stepped out, shutting the creaky door behind her with a familiar clack.
Outside, the day was beautiful.
The sky was clear and blue, the air warm without being heavy. Leaves drifted lazily from the trees, brushing against one another with a soft rustle as the breeze passed through. Sunlight kissed her skin, gentle and comforting.
But all she could think about was Adam.
I should apologize about last time…
The thought sat heavy in her chest as she reached school grounds.
Instead of heading straight to class, Kara veered across the school, greeting a few teachers she liked with small nods and polite smiles. Her steps eventually carried her outside again, toward the football field.
Practice was already underway.
She stopped near the fence, resting her hands lightly on the metal bars as her eyes searched the field—and found him instantly.
Adam.
He stood out effortlessly. Broad shoulders beneath his gear, jersey clinging to him as he ran. Sweat darkened the fabric, sunlight glinting off his skin. He moved with confidence, fast and focused, the football tucked securely under his arm as he sprinted down the field.
Her nose twitched faintly as the breeze carried the scent of grass, dirt, and sweat.
There was still a small cut on the bridge of his nose, barely healed.
She smiled at it.
She stayed until practice ended.
But Adam wasn't the first to approach her.
"Oh my God," Bianca's voice rang out, sharp and sweet like poison. "Are you stalking Adam now?"
Kara stiffened.
Bianca stood with her usual group of cheerleaders, arms crossed, red ponytail slicked back perfectly. Her eyes raked over Kara from head to toe, lips curling into a smirk.
"Wow," Bianca continued. "You're so disgustingly obsessed with him. It's kind of sad."
Kara's fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.
Bianca snickered, stepping closer. "Oh my God—and you dressed up for him too."
Her friends laughed.
"Don't even try," Bianca said cruelly. "You still look like some rat crawling out of a pile of shit no matter what you wear. Did Adam buy you that? Do you have pictures of him in your room, you freak?"
The laughter grew louder.
Kara's jaw clenched.
Then—
"Shut the fuck up," Kara snapped, her voice low and lethal. "I can smell the dick in your mouth from here, so be quiet for a moment."
Silence.
Bianca froze.
Her eyes burned red as she turned fully toward Kara, rage flashing across her face. She flicked her ponytail back sharply.
"What did you just say to me?" she hissed, stepping forward.
"You heard me," Kara replied coolly. "Now act like your hairline and back up."
Bianca raised her hand—
—and stopped.
A rough grip closed around her wrist.
Adam.
He stood beside her, tall and solid, eyes dark and furious.
"Fuck off, Bianca," he said. Calm. Dangerous.
Bianca yanked her hand free, face pale with fury and shock. She opened her mouth, thought better of it, then stormed off with her friends trailing behind her.
Adam turned to Kara.
His expression softened instantly.
"Sorry," he said quietly. "Did she bother you?"
"Yeah," Kara replied, exhaling. "But it's fine."
She glanced at him. "You're done with practice now, right?"
"Yeah," he said, smiling. He smelled like sweat and earth and effort. "Remember—we're meeting after school. I wanna show you something."
She stepped back instinctively, wrinkling her nose slightly.
Adam laughed. "Yeah, yeah—I know. I smell of victory."
She hesitated, swerving to her apology. "… I wanted to apologize. For leaving like that at the nurse's office."
Her gaze dropped. "It was just… too close."
"I get it," Adam said gently. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
She looked up at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.
"Yeah," she murmured. "So… I'll see you after school."
"See you after school," he replied softly. "Cara mia."
Her heart skipped.
Kara turned and speed-walked back inside without looking back.
Adam remained standing there.
His smile slowly faded.
One of his teammates clapped him on the shoulder as he passed. "Damn, man. You're something else."
Adam didn't respond.
He just stared at the spot where Kara had disappeared, unmoving, the sun casting long shadows across the field as practice equipment clattered around him.
Waiting.