𝐈 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔

𝐕𝐈𝐈 | 𝐉𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐘

Ownership (n.)
the act of possessing something entirely
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   "Good morning, (Y/N)!" Cage called cheerfully that next day, said girl almost dropping her keys as she stepped out of her car.

    Currently, the two were standing in the student parking lot, (Y/N) next to her older car while Cage was leaning against his black Camaro. She blinked at him and the vehicle, this having been the first time that she had seen him drive himself to school. It was always his personal driver pulling up in a limo for him to exit out of—why even be rich if one can't use that wealth in the most lavish way possible?

    "Uh... hey," she greeted as she tugged on her backpack and locked her car.

    "I'm guessing you got home okay after yesterday's tutoring?" Cage asked as he fell into step beside her, his dark gaze sliding to the corner of his eye.

   "Yeah," she answered simply.

    "We have another session after school again, right?" He smirked, watching as her brows furrowed in confusion, finding how easily it was to read her expressions at times amusing. "I mean, after the success we had last time, wouldn't it only make sense that we continue? Everyday?"

"Oh, uh... I mean, I'd appreciate that, but I don't want to take up that much of your time," (Y/N) shrugged.

And, I don't know.

    Others might not like that—me spending so much time with Cage, I mean.

    "I have nothing but time," Cage smiled.

    She stared at him.

    Ah.

    That's right.

    He's a rich boy.

    "Cage!" A different voice called out that drew both of their attention away, a beautiful girl with pitch hair tumbling over her shoulder in a braid, dark skin, and crystalline-like eyes having been the one to speak. "There you are! I've been looking for you for ten minutes! Where've you been?"

    (Y/N) tilted her head.

    I feel like I've heard her voice before somewhere...

    Oh, right.

    She was the one from the bathroom.

    Almost as soon as (Y/N) came to that realization, her (E/C) eyes met the girl's, stiffening when all she received was a sharp glare. It was a look filled with hostility that she didn't expect, the girl's gaze turning icy within seconds. Knowing that that was her cue to leave since it was clearly obvious that she wasn't welcome, (Y/N) turned to walk away. She wasn't too bothered by the girl's hostility, as she was sure she wouldn't really speak to her again—that is, if she was able to get tutoring with Cage down to two days like how it was with Thorne.

    "Sorry, Jasmine, I was a little busy," Cage glanced backwards towards (Y/N), scoffing with a smile when seeing that she was already several paces away, completely unbothered it seemed.

    That girl...

    "What?" Jasmine rolled her eyes. "With her?"

    "Oh?" Cage raised a brow as he slid his hands into his pockets, his lips twitching upwards into a smile. "You jealous?"

    "Yes," Jasmine crossed her arms.

    "There's no need to be," Cage threw an arm around her shoulder, holding her body close to his own. "I'm just curious about her, is all."

    "What about her is so interesting?" She scowled in disproval at his words, obviously not pleased yet at the same time loving that his attention was back on her again. "I mean, she looks so dull with that perpetually tired look she has. I didn't even notice she was in our grade until you started speaking with her. Hey, wait... how did you even end up hanging out with her?"

    Cage let his gaze wander upward.

    Huh...

    "I guess it started back at the ice cream shop," he stated with a finger to his chin. "I kinda liked her reactions, to be honest."

    Jasmine rolled her eyes again.

    She didn't see the appeal in talking to people who she had zero connection with—meaning, people who she didn't deem as good enough for her. So, to Jasmine, Cage speaking with (Y/N) was the equivalent to a natural disaster.

    It just didn't happen.

"Well, I guess it won't be long until you're tired of her, right?" Jasmine questioned.

    "Yeah, sure," Cage shrugged.

    Jasmine smiled.

    However, as she then continued chatting away about something random, she didn't realize that Cage was still thinking about (Y/N). He wondered what her expression would look like if he continued to show her what his life was like—would she be surprised, amused, or completely uncaring like last time? He had somehow found himself interested in this strange girl that he had never noticed before, and wished to keep finding reasons to meet with her.

Maybe it was strange.

Maybe it was abrupt.

But Cage really couldn't care less if it was or if it wasn't—all he wanted was something different.

    And maybe (Y/N) was that difference.

    Continuing to walk with Jasmine down the halls towards chemistry, Cage opened the door to the room and immediately scanned the space for (Y/N). Naturally, he would have expected her to be somewhere in the back sleeping for the few minutes she had before class or gazing out of the window in a rather zoned out way, but he was surprised to instead find her at the front.

    He couldn't help the way his eyes widened ever so slightly when seeing her expression.

    Specifically, her smile.

    And how it was directed towards Thorne.

    He frowned.

    Not once had (Y/N) ever smiled at him even after everything that he had done to help her. Yet, Thorne was able to acquire it so easily. And if Cage were being honest, he was a bit irritated at the fact.

   "Ugh," Jasmine curled her lip in revulsion at the girl and teacher. "Now she's even trying to get closer to Mr. Henderson?"

    "What do you mean?" Cage hummed.

    "Remember how I told you that she's plain because she always has such a tired expression? Well, guess who she doesn't make that expression around," Jasmine placed a hand on her hip as she then tilted her head towards Thorne who currently was laughing at something (Y/N) had said. "Now she's all smiley and giggly. It really pisses me off, you know?"

    "Yeah..." Cage's eyes darkened. "It does..."

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To be continued...