𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

𝟑 - 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧

Sevyn, Savon, Rowan, and I walk down the halls of Riveredge High, already ready to walk back out. We stop at Savon's locker, the designated hangout spot and wait for Cassie and Lynnex to get here. As we're all chatting, I hear Lynnex's unmistakable voice down the hall, with Maddox in tow.

"Hi, Maddox." I smile up at him once he approaches.

"Hey love, you look nice." He smiles down at me with that damn smile. He thinks I look nice? I freeze up again.

"Hey, stop flirting with my sister, Maddox," Savon warns him playfully. My body heats up and I look at my brother.

"Savon! Stop it. We gotta get to class, come on Cass," I say leaving the group behind us.

Cassie stops once we reach our class, "Um Saliyah Everly, when were you gonna tell me you had a man?"

"I wasn't?"

"What?! Why not"

"Because I don't have a man"

"Cut the crap, I saw how you and Maddox were looking at each other. I know you too well."

"Cassandra! Keep your voice down." I whisper yell at the overly excited girl.

A loud witch-like cackle emerges from behind Cassie and me. We turn around to face the voice, revealing none other than Adrianna Sinclair.

"Are you serious Clarke? If I didn't know any better I'd think you were serious." The girl laughs.

"Sinclair, what are you even talking about?" I giggle, returning her energy.

"You and Maddox's so-called romance. Maddox is mine, so back off" She tells me, putting air quotes when she says romance.

"Adrianna please, me and Maddox are friends. Don't get too comfortable though," I smile at her, blow a kiss, and walk into my class. Cassie bursts out laughing, following me into the classroom.

I notice Maddox in the back of the classroom, sitting next to my usual seat. Departing from Cassie, whose seat is at the front I take a breath and go sit down.

"Morning LiyLiy, I got you something." Handing me a Dunkin Donuts cup, smiling again! I skimmed over the order sticker because how could he possibly have gotten my usual order to my surprise the order is exactly right. An iced chai latte with oat milk and 3 pumps of caramel. I look at him with a confused look, wondering how he got my order.

"I called Savon and asked him." He finally says, answering my mental question. I mutter a quick hmm and focus on my work. 20 minutes later he taps my leg, trying to ignore him, I keep my eyes straight ahead. A minute later a crumpled up piece of paper lands on my desk.

Without opening it, I glare at him "Passing notes, seriously? How old are you?"

"Got you talking, didn't it?" He winks at me.

"What do you want, Maddox?"

"You." He smirks. I roll my eyes, looking away to hide the smile creeping onto my face.

"I don't think your girlfriend would appreciate this. She already doesn't like me much." At this, he looks at me puzzled.

"Girlfriend?"

"Adrianna. She stopped me in the hallway to let me know that you were hers." I say, my voice monotone.

He just laughs. A laugh so loud my professor has to intervene.

"Mr. Bennett, Ms. Clarke, you two can coerce after class." Giggles around the class circulate.

"Sorry, Dr. Bluford." We say in unison.