Maya's blood boiled as she stormed through the crowded hallway, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. The whispers, the stares, the snickers—they were all suffocating her. Everyone had seen the pictures. Everyone was talking.
And she knew exactly who to blame.
She found Vic leaning against his locker like he owned the damn place, his phone in hand, surrounded by his usual crowd of followers. They were laughing—laughing—about the leaked pictures.
Her pictures.
Without a second thought, Maya slapped him across the face.
The sharp crack echoed down the hallway, silencing every conversation.
Vic's head snapped to the side, a red mark blooming across his cheek. Slowly, he turned back to her, his lips curling into a lazy smirk.
"Feisty today, aren't we?" His voice was smooth, infuriatingly amused.
Maya's chest heaved. "You bastard—you promised—"
Vic chuckled, rubbing his jaw. "You're blaming me? Damn, Maya. I thought you knew better than to send intimate pictures to a guy. Guess you're just as desperate as everyone says."
Her stomach twisted.
Vic leaned in, his voice dropping. "But don't worry. At least now everyone knows what I already did—just how easy you are."
Maya saw red.
Before she could lunge at him, Jackie's laughter rang out from behind.
"Oh my God," Jackie giggled, stepping into view. "This is priceless."
Maya's jaw tightened as Jackie tossed her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder, her eyes shining with pure malice.
"I told you, Vic," Jackie cooed. "She's a desperate, attention-seeking slut." She turned to Maya, smirking. "I'd never be dumb enough to send naked pictures to a guy. But you? You just handed your dignity away."
Maya didn't even think.
Her fist connected with Jackie's face so fast it sent her stumbling back with a cry.
The hallway erupted.
Maya didn't stop. She grabbed Jackie by the hair, yanked her down, and straddled her, raining punches onto her face.
"You bitch!" Punch. "You think you can humiliate me?!" Punch. "Let's see how pretty you are after this—"
A rough hand yanked Maya back.
Vic.
He shoved her hard, and she stumbled, her head slamming against a locker.
Everything spun for a second.
Then—
A fist crashed into Vic's face.
The crowd gasped.
Maya blinked through the dizziness to see Eddie standing in front of her, breathing hard, his knuckles red from impact.
Vic staggered back, touching his split lip. He laughed.
"You wanna fight me over her?" Vic scoffed, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Damn, nerd. Didn't take you for a simp."
Eddie lunged.
They crashed into the lockers, fists flying. The hallway exploded into chaos.
Teachers burst onto the scene, yanking them apart. The fight was broken up, but the damage was done.
By the time they were dragged to the principal's office, the verdict was clear:
Maya and Eddie—suspended.
Maya's stomach turned when she saw her father already in the office.
But what made her really freeze was the woman beside him.
Jackie's mother.
The same woman Maya had seen leaving her father's bedroom.
Her father turned, his expression dark with disappointment. "Apologize," he ordered.
Maya didn't move.
"I said, apologize."
She clenched her jaw. "No."
His face twisted in rage.
Maya turned and walked out.
He followed, grabbing her arm roughly. "Where were you last night?" he hissed.
Maya yanked free, refusing to look at him.
Then—she ran.
Out of the school. Away from the humiliation, the stares, the betrayal.
She had nowhere to go.
Then a car pulled up beside her.
Eddie.
"Get in," he said.
Maya hesitated, but when she saw the fire in his eyes, the determination, she slid inside.
The second the door shut, the weight of everything crashed onto her.
Her lip trembled. "Why does this keep happening to me?" she whispered.
Eddie stayed silent.
Maya let out a shaky laugh. "Maybe they're right. Maybe I really am just—" Her voice broke. "Unwanted."
She squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears spilled over.
Eddie's grip on the steering wheel tightened.
Then, he made a sharp turn.
Minutes later, they stopped.
Maya wiped her eyes, frowning. "Where are we?"
"My place," Eddie muttered.
Maya blinked in surprise as he led her inside.
His flat was stunning. Sleek, modern, expensive it was different than the other one .
"You live here or there ?"
Eddie sighed. "Yeah you can say both . You need a shower. Clothes are in the drawer."
When Maya stepped out of the bathroom, Eddie choked.
She was wrapped in a towel, her damp skin glowing, golden-brown hair curling at the ends.
His phone slipped from his hand.
Maya smirked. "Something wrong, nerd?"
Eddie turned red. "Y-Yeah. Clothes."
He threw a black T-shirt at her.
Maya disappeared back into the bathroom. When she reemerged, the towel was gone, replaced by his shirt.
And damn, did it look good on her.
It slipped off one shoulder, the hem barely covering her thighs.
Eddie cleared his throat. "You did that on purpose."
Maya smirked. "You told me to put it on."
"Not like that."
She grinned, brushing against him as she passed.
Eddie inhaled sharply.
That night, Maya lay on the bed, stretching.
Eddie raised a brow. "You're sleeping there?"
Maya patted the space beside her. "It's a big bed. I won't bite."
Eddie snorted. "Lies."
Maya gasped. "Wow. I didn't know you were afraid of a little temptation."
Eddie's smirk vanished.
He moved to the bed fast, bracing himself over her, his face inches away.
Maya's breath hitched.
"You really wanna test me tonight, princess?" His voice was low. Dangerous.
Maya swallowed, pulse racing.
His eyes dropped to her lips.
For a split second, she thought he was going to kiss her.
Then—he pulled away.
The air between them crackled.
Eddie turned his back to her. "Goodnight, Maya."
Maya flopped onto the bed.
"…Coward," she whispered.
Eddie stiffened.
Neither of them got much sleep.
The next morning, Eddie handled things.
By noon, the pictures were wiped from the group chat. Then, he found Vic and beat the shit out of him.
Jackie tried interfering—but Vic turned on her, exposing that she was the one who leaked the photos.
Eddie recorded her confession.
And forced her to make a public apology.
That evening, he returned home to find Maya curled up, looking lost.
He handed her the phone. "Check the chat."
Maya hesitated—then gasped.
Jackie's apology.
Vic's humiliation.
The school mocking them instead of her.
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
Then, for the first time—
She hugged Eddie.
And he let her.