The rest of the week passed in a blur of tension between Riley and Zayden. They found themselves crossing paths more than once, and each encounter seemed to leave Riley more confused about her growing feelings for him. It wasn't just the way he looked at her—there was something else, something deeper beneath his cocky exterior.
On one particular day, after school had let out, Riley found herself walking to her bike, preparing to head home. The wind whipped through her hair as she climbed onto her bicycle, ready to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the academy. But before she could take off, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.
"I'm not done with you yet, Morgan."
Zayden's voice came from behind her, and she groaned inwardly. Turning around, she found him standing just a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest. The look in his eyes was unreadable, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by something darker.
"What now?" she asked, trying her best to keep her voice steady.
"You're not going to run away this time," he said, his tone sharp.
"I wasn't planning on it." Riley raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, Adrian?"
Zayden took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I want to know what your game is, Morgan. Why do you keep acting like you belong here? Like you can keep up with people like me?"
Riley's heart pounded in her chest. "Because I do belong here. I didn't get this scholarship because I'm a charity case. I got it because I earned it. I belong here just like you do."
Zayden studied her for a long moment before speaking again. "You're not like the others, Riley. You're different."
"I know," she replied, her voice softening for a split second before she hardened again. "But that doesn't mean I don't belong."
Zayden leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin. "We'll see about that."