The entire hallway buzzed with curiosity as Riley and Zayden stood in full view of everyone—his hand still on her cheek, their faces impossibly close.
"Damn," someone whispered behind them. "He's really into her."
Another voice added, "Wasn't he with Vanessa just last semester?"
Riley tried to pull away, but Zayden tightened his grip—not to trap her, but to reassure her. His touch said, I've got you.
"Zayden," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. "People are staring."
"Let them," he replied. "I want everyone to know you're mine."
She froze, heart pounding.
Yours?
"Don't say stuff like that," she muttered, looking away, heat crawling up her neck. "This isn't a game."
"I'm not playing."
He let her go then, just enough for her to breathe, but his gaze was locked on hers.
"I'm not letting them scare you off. Or scare me into doing what they want."
Riley blinked. "Are you… sure? Like, really sure?"
Zayden leaned in close, his voice low. "I've never been more sure about anything."
That afternoon, Riley found herself walking toward the back garden of the school—an area normally reserved for quiet reading or club meetings. But today, she wasn't alone.
Vanessa stood there, arms crossed, a smirk dancing on her lips.
"Didn't expect to see you again so soon," Riley said, dropping her bag beside the bench.
Vanessa didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stepped forward slowly. "You think you've won."
Riley shrugged. "Didn't know it was a competition."
"Oh, it is. And Zayden's just the prize you think you're keeping."
Riley narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Let's just say… some people don't like being replaced."
Riley took a step closer. "If that's a threat—"
Vanessa smiled. "Relax. Just a little warning. You might have his attention now, but Crestwood Elite doesn't take kindly to outsiders. You'll learn that."
Then she walked off, her heels clicking like nails on a coffin.
Later that evening, Riley sat in her small bedroom above the bakery, staring at her phone.
A text from Zayden sat unread.
"You okay?"
She wanted to say yes. But she wasn't. The shadows around her were thickening. His world was starting to pull her in, and she wasn't sure she could survive it.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
But before she could respond, her phone rang.
Zayden.
She let it ring once, twice… and then picked up.
"I'm scared," she admitted softly, voice trembling.
"I know," he replied, just as soft. "But you're not alone, Riley. Not anymore."
And somewhere in the background of her fear, she believed him.
Even if everything fell apart—he would fight for her.
And maybe… she'd start fighting too.