͏b͏r͏o͏k͏e͏n || ͏b͏i͏l͏l͏y ͏h͏a͏r͏g͏r͏o͏v͏e

O N E

𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍

It was finally the end of the day, and it turns out I have the Hargrove kid in quite a few classes. I decided to organize my locker while waiting for Steve to meet me in the hall. I dumped my stuff out of my backpack and started to set everything up until I was satisfied. As I slammed my locker shut, I jumped when I saw Billy standing at the locker two down from mine. He glanced over at me and raised his eyebrows.

"You got a problem, toots?" he drawled. I shook my head and started to head down the hallway.

"You know it's rude to ignore people," he called from behind me, making me stop and turn back around.

"I'm not ignoring you, I just—"

"Think you're too good to talk to me?" Billy asked, a cocky grin spreading across his face as he walked towards me, forcing me to walk backwards.

"No, I just have to find my brother. He'll get mad if I make him late," I said quickly. I tripped over my own feet since I was walking backwards like an idiot. I steadied myself, and he laughed at me.

"What's your name?" he asked, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his back pocket.

"Anastasia Harrington," I said hesitantly. "Most people just call me Ana."

"Well, Anastasia," he said, the way he rolled my name off his tongue sending shivers down my spine, "if you see a little red-haired freak out there named Maxine, tell her I'm ready to go." He winked before turning on his heels.

"Aren't you just a ray of sunshine." I remark a little too loud.

He stopped and turned back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What was that?"

I swallowed hard, trying to muster some courage. "Nothing, just... noting how friendly you are."

Billy's lips curled into a slow, predatory smile as he took a step closer. "Oh, I'm very friendly, Anastasia. You just haven't seen that side of me yet."

His proximity was both intimidating and electrifying. I could feel the heat radiating off him, and his intense gaze made my heart pound in my chest.

"Is that so?" I managed to say, my voice wavering slightly.

"Yeah," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Stick around, and you might find out." He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. "But be careful what you wish for."

With that, he straightened up and walked away, leaving me breathless and a little shaken. There was something about Billy Hargrove that made my skin tingle and my pulse race, and I couldn't decide if it was thrilling or terrifying. Probably both.

I quickly head outside, looking for Maxine, but she's nowhere to be seen. I hear a car honk and look up to see Steve. He pulls up beside me.

"Come on, I'm gonna be late for that dinner thing!" he yells from inside his car. I quickly run to the other side and hop in.

"Sorry, I thought we were meeting inside like we always do," I say, slightly out of breath. He shakes his head.

"Yeah, well, plans change," he mutters as he starts to pull out of the parking lot. "What took you so long anyway?" he asks, curiosity lacing his tone.

"I was talking to the new kid, Billy Hargrove," I say, making Steve snap his head towards me.

"For Pete's sake, Ana, please don't hoe around with that kid. He looks like a walking STD."

I snort. "Says you! You are a walking STD."

He rolls his eyes at me. "Look, I don't trust him. He seems like trouble."

"And you don't? You're just threatened because he lowers your spot on the Apex Predator list," I retort, giving him a smirk.

"Oh, shut up, dip—" I turn his radio up, blocking him out.

As the music drowns out his protests, I can't help but think about Billy. His smug grin, his piercing eyes, the way he made my heart race even though I knew I should stay away. Trouble or not, there was something about him that was hard to ignore.