Love's Dangerous Game

Chapter VI - Klutzy Karla

Every step toward the dorm felt like walking through flames. It wasn't just the lingering heat of the night but the heat building inside me. Each step brought me closer to what felt like a burning hell, where I'd either rise or be consumed. Tonight had to be perfect. There was no room for mistakes, not when so much was at stake.

I needed him to fall in love with me. No, more than that—I needed to feel love, to finally understand the chaos that Marcus stirred inside me. Was it love? Obsession? Desire? I couldn't tell anymore, not when he was so deeply rooted in my thoughts. He teased me relentlessly, kept me on edge, always wondering what his next move would be. And I was falling behind, unable to keep up with my own mind.

His black eyes—they had this way of locking onto mine, and every time I caught his gaze, I felt trapped. Hypnotized. I couldn't think straight when he looked at me, couldn't breathe. I hated how much power he had over me, but God, I craved it too.

"What's the rush, K? Slow down," Lucy called after me, finally catching up as I practically sprinted ahead.

"Oh, sorry. My head's spinning, and I wasn't even paying attention," I admitted, pausing for her to fall in step beside me.

"Let me guess—it's Marcus again, isn't it?" Lucy asked, her eyes narrowing in that all-too-familiar way, like she could read my mind.

"Yeah, it's him. He's driving me insane with all this teasing, but...I don't want him to stop. Is that messed up?" I sighed, feeling a deep frustration roll through me.

Lucy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Not messed up. But girl, I think you're falling for him."

I stopped dead in my tracks, turning to look at her. Falling for him? Love? The word hit me like a punch in the chest, and I suddenly wasn't sure if I could breathe.

"I don't know if it's love or what, but my body... it reacts to him in a way I can't explain. Every time he's near, I feel like I'm burning from the inside out."

"You're definitely falling for him," Lucy said knowingly. "You can pretend it's just a game or that you're obsessed, but the way you talk about him... it's more than that. Are you jealous when you see him with other girls?"

I scoffed but couldn't lie. "Of course I'm jealous. It makes me sick."

"See? You've already fallen," Lucy said, her tone triumphant.

"Maybe I have," I conceded. "But I don't think he wants the same thing. We'll see tonight, though, at the party."

We climbed the stairs toward the dorm, and my thoughts raced. Had Marcus felt the same when he saw me with Christian? There had been a look in his eyes, something almost feral when Christian got too close. Was it jealousy? Or was he just playing his usual games, seeing how far he could push me?

Speaking of trouble, my brother would be at the party too. How the hell was I going to avoid him? If he saw me with Marcus, there would be chaos. Not to mention Marcus had to be considering the same dilemma. They were best friends, after all. But somehow, I had the feeling he didn't care. Not tonight.

I separated from Lucy when we reached my door, but something was off. The door was locked. Odd. Hallie shouldn't be out this early, and she never locked the door. I tried my key, but it didn't budge. Frustration flared hot inside me.

After what felt like forever, Hallie finally opened the door, looking like she'd just rolled out of bed. Or... out of something else. She was hiding something. I could feel it.

"What's going on? Why was the door locked? And why couldn't I get in?" I asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Nothing, I just... forgot." Hallie's voice was shaky, and her eyes darted toward the wardrobe. My stomach dropped.