The next few days felt like a whirlwind of uncertainty and tension. Despite the confrontation with Jade, things didn't exactly go back to normal. Riley knew Zayden was trying his best to keep the peace between them, but the storm Jade had created couldn't be easily ignored.
Riley tried to focus on her studies, trying to push away the noise of her emotions and the chaos swirling around her. But it wasn't easy. Every time she thought about Zayden, her heart would race, the pull between them undeniable.
But Jade's threat still hung in the air like a shadow, threatening to overtake everything they were building. Riley couldn't help but wonder—was she really ready for this? For everything Zayden's world entailed?
One afternoon, Riley found herself walking through the halls of Crestwood Elite Academy, her mind lost in thought, when she saw him. Zayden was standing by his locker, talking to a group of his friends, his easy smile and playful demeanor belying the storm she knew was brewing beneath the surface.
She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to approach him. After everything that had happened, she wasn't sure where she stood with him anymore.
But before she could make a decision, Zayden looked up, his eyes locking onto hers instantly. There was something about the way his gaze softened when he saw her—something that made her feel like everything in the world could fade away, and it would just be the two of them.
"Riley," he called, his voice filled with warmth, as if nothing had happened between them. As if Jade's threat had never been made.
Riley's chest tightened as she walked towards him, her heart skipping in her chest. She wasn't sure why, but seeing him like this—so unbothered—made her feel a mix of relief and worry. He wasn't worried about Jade. But what about her?
"Hey," Riley said, trying to keep her voice steady. She leaned against the locker next to his, looking up at him. "Everything alright?"
Zayden's smile flickered, and he ran a hand through his messy hair. "As good as it can be. I'm just trying to keep the peace, you know? But Jade's not making it easy." His tone was casual, but Riley could sense the underlying tension in his words.
Riley didn't know what to say. She wanted to tell him that she was scared—that she didn't know how much more of this she could handle—but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she just gave him a small, forced smile.
"I'm here, Zayden," she said quietly. "You're not alone in this."
His eyes softened as he looked at her, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world disappeared. The only thing that mattered was them.
"I know," Zayden said, his voice low and sincere. He stepped closer, his presence engulfing her. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me. I don't want to drag you into my mess."
Riley shook her head. "You didn't drag me into anything. I chose this, Zayden. I chose you."
Zayden's gaze deepened, something intense flickering in his eyes. "I never expected you to say that," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Before Riley could respond, the sound of footsteps broke the moment. They both turned to see a familiar figure approaching—Jade. Her eyes locked onto Riley, a glint of something dark in them.
"I see you two are getting comfortable with each other," Jade said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But don't think you've won. You may have Zayden's attention now, but that won't last. No one gets to have him. Not for long."
Riley didn't flinch. She met Jade's gaze head-on, her expression unwavering. "I'm not going anywhere," Riley said firmly, her voice cold. "So you can save the threats. I'm not afraid of you."
Jade's smile was razor-sharp, and her eyes gleamed with malicious amusement. "You will be. You'll see." With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, her words lingering in the air like a toxic cloud.
Riley took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "She's not going to back down, is she?"
Zayden's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "No, she's not. But neither am I."
Riley nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle in her chest. She wasn't just fighting for Zayden anymore. She was fighting for herself—fighting for a place in his world, no matter how dangerous it became.
"I'm in this with you," Riley said, her voice steady and determined. "No matter what."
Zayden looked at her, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I don't deserve you," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Riley reached up, placing a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "You do," she said softly. "We'll figure this out. Together."
Zayden's eyes softened, and for the first time, Riley saw a flicker of something vulnerable in him. Something raw.
"Together," he repeated, his voice thick with emotion.
But even as the words passed between them, Riley knew that the storm wasn't over. It was only just beginning.