Tyler and Rose had been enemies since birth. Their parents were good friends, but somehow, rivalry bloomed between their children. Despite living on the same street and going to the same school, the only thing they shared was friction.
"Everyone, please remember the homecoming tonight," the teacher announced before dismissing the class.
"Do you have a date for homecoming?" Rose asked her friends while gathering her books.
"We're going with our boyfriends," Kathrin said, smirking.
"Who am I supposed to go with?" Rose sighed, rubbing her temples.
"You're not going with Tyler?" one of them teased.
"I'm not going with that monster," Rose mumbled, unaware that Tyler was right behind her.
"Who's a monster?"
"AHH!" Rose jumped. "You scared the shit out of me!"
"Are you five years old?" Tyler teased, crossing his arms.
"Wow, very mature," Rose shot back, her heart still racing.
Tyler grinned. "Is there a bee on your head?" he asked, his eyes darting to her hair.
"What!? Where!?" Rose's panic kicked in instantly.
"Never mind, it's just your hair clip," Tyler smirked before walking away, laughing.
"That demon," Rose muttered. "He always gets on my nerves."
Before she could fully recover, Connor, the school's "good guy," called out her name.
"Go talk to him," her friend nudged.
Rose sighed, walking over to Connor. "What's up?"
"Do you have a date for the homecoming?" Connor asked, smiling.
Rose shook her head. "No, why?"
"Do you want to go with me?"
Rose blinked, surprised. "Sure, I'll meet you there."
As they parted ways, Rose noticed Tyler watching her from a distance, his gaze cold and distant. What's his problem? she wondered.
A few hours before homecoming, Rose's mom asked, "Who are you going with?"
"Connor," Rose replied as she finished getting ready.
"You're not going with Tyler?" her dad teased, earning a sharp glare from Rose.
Just then, a car horn honked outside. "My ride's here. Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" Rose called, rushing out the door. Victoria and Xavier were already waiting.
"Took you long enough," Victoria joked as Rose climbed into the car.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the school. Rose spotted Connor waiting for her near the entrance.
"Hey," Connor greeted her, offering his hand.
"Do you want to dance?" he asked.
"Sure," Rose said, taking his hand. They made their way to the dance floor, swaying to the music. As they danced, Rose saw Tyler with Ariana, his girlfriend. Tyler's eyes found hers, and his expression darkened. A flicker of something angry passed over his face.
Rose's stomach churned. What's his problem?
A few songs later, Connor led her off the dance floor for a break, his arm casually draped over her shoulder. Tyler stormed toward them, his jaw clenched. Without warning, he punched Connor, knocking him to the ground.
"Tyler! What the hell is wrong with you?" Rose shouted, trying to pull him away, but Tyler kept swinging, his fists landing hard on Connor's face.
Tyler's fury didn't subside until his body seemed to give out, the alcohol he had been drinking catching up with him. He collapsed, unconscious.
Xavier rushed to help, hauling Tyler to his feet. "I'll take him home," Rose said, trying to steady her own shaking hands.
Victoria frowned, "Are you sure?"
"I'll be fine. I know where he lives," Rose insisted, though a part of her was still rattled.
At Tyler's house, Rose laid him on his bed. She was about to leave when Tyler's hand suddenly gripped her wrist.
His eyes, half-lidded and hazy, met hers. He wasn't fully awake, but he wasn't fully gone either.
"Tyler... let go," Rose whispered, her voice shaky, but instead of letting go, he pulled her down onto the bed, hovering over her.
"Tyler! What are you doing!?" Rose cried, panic rising in her chest as she tried to push him off, but he pinned her hands down, his grip firm.
"Are you drunk?" she asked, smelling the alcohol on his breath.
Instead of answering, Tyler kissed her—rough, forceful, and nothing like she'd ever imagined. Rose froze, trying to pull away, but he bit her lip, forcing her mouth open. His tongue pressed into her mouth, the kiss heavy with frustration and something darker.
She struggled, but he held her down, his weight pressing into her. Finally, he let go, leaving her breathless and shaken.
"This is the night you'll never fucking forget, Rose," he smirked, his voice low and dark.
Rose lay there, her heart pounding in her chest, feeling the weight of what had just happened. It had only taken five minutes—five minutes that had changed everything.
They had crossed a line, done something forbidden. A mistake that could never be undone. And it would haunt them both forever.
