Darkson High

1.13

The sun dipped lower, painting the steps of Darkson High School in hues of amber and gold. Nikky and Mike stood there, bathed in the warm light, the bustling energy of students slowly dissipating as they trickled home. The air was tinged with excitement and the promise of new beginnings; it was the first day of senior year, after all.

Kendra's father arrived, honking lightly to signal her. She waved at Nikky and Mike, her smile bright and carefree. They waved back just as cheerfully. As Kendra's car pulled away, the atmosphere shifted slightly, leaving Nikky and Mike alone in the fading sunlight.

Mike glanced around, the sun catching in his dark hair, giving it a warm, almost golden glow. "Heading home?" he asked, his voice calm but with a hint of eagerness. His eyes were on the horizon, but there was a softness in his expression when he turned to her.

Nikky had planned to go to work, but with the unexpected day off, she felt like lingering, enjoying the slow afternoon with Mike. She liked his presence—the calm, grounded way he stood, a quiet contrast to the usual chaos of her friends.

"I'm not sure," she teased, her lips curling into a playful smile. "I don't want to leave you all alone, looking all lost."

Mike chuckled, his smile broadening, and for a moment, his eyes locked onto hers, holding a gaze that was both lighthearted and deep. "We could go for a walk. The weather's perfect," he suggested, his tone almost hopeful.

Nikky's heart fluttered. She was about to agree when a voice called out sharply from behind them, slicing through the mellow afternoon.

"NIKKY!!"

Her head whipped around at the sound of Jake's voice, her heart jolting unexpectedly. There he was, leaning against the steps with his familiar group, looking every bit the bad boy who owned the place. He'd changed over his year off to England, his frame more defined, his face sharper, and there was something darker in his eyes—a storm that hadn't been there before.

For a second, fear curled in Nikky's stomach, not of Jake but of what he might have become. She hadn't seen him since he returned from boarding school, and something about him felt... off. But as she looked closer, she saw a flicker of the boy she knew, hidden beneath that hard exterior. And for some reason, it made her feel a little braver.

"Jake?!" she blurted out, more surprised than she intended, her guard dropping for a moment.

Jake pushed off from where he was leaning and walked toward her, his posture firm, his face set with a seriousness that made her uneasy. "We need to talk. Privately," he said, his eyes cutting briefly to Mike. There was tension in his stance, but beneath it, something vulnerable flickered.

Mike, sensing the shift, stiffened slightly beside Nikky. She felt the protective energy radiating off him, but also his uncertainty. His eyes darted between her and Jake. "I guess I'll leave you two to it for a moment," he said carefully, his tone edged with concern.

Jake's gaze turned to Mike, his eyes narrowing slightly, sizing him up. There was a silent, threatening presence about him—his shoulders squared, his jaw set, as if he was daring Mike to challenge him. Mike didn't back down, but his jaw tightened. Nikky noticed his fists clenching, a subtle but telling sign of his discomfort.

"Mike, it's okay. Just two minutes," Nikky murmured, her voice softening, trying to ease the tension between them. She gave Mike a reassuring look, hoping he'd understand. Mike nodded, albeit reluctantly, and stepped away, finding a spot not too far but far enough to give them space.

Jake watched Mike walk away, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "He's got guts," he muttered under his breath, the slightest hint of amusement in his voice.