𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 18+

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟏

__
ARES
EMERSON
__

His jersey. On her body. On my watch? Yeah, a fucking death wish. My chest tightened, and the surge of anger was immediate. Ada stood there, looking up at me, her eyes wide, flickering with uncertainty. She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper, "I'm sorry, it was cold and—"

I was upset. I was never upset.

"You could've taken mine," I cut her off, my voice sharp, filled with frustration. "Out of all people, you took his, Ada? You've been avoiding me all week—over a kiss that was just a game." A lie. A damn lie. The truth was I wanted to kiss her more than I wanted to breathe, but if I'd told her it was just for the game, maybe she'd feel more at ease. "And then, you take my fucking enemy's jersey?!"

I stepped closer, the space between us shrinking, my anger barely contained. I wasn't used to feeling this way—this possessive.

Ada didn't usually flinch around me, but this time, she backed away. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Damn it, not again. I'm the reason she's crying. Again.

"You kissed Lizzie right after taking my first kiss," she whispered, her voice shaky, but her words cut deep. "It might've been a game to you, but the consequences weren't the same for me, Ares. I get it, you prefer her over me, but that kiss... it was humiliating. It showed just how replaceable I am to you." Her voice broke, the pain clear in every word. "But of course, you have every right to be mad at me for wearing Aiden's jersey."

With trembling hands, she pulled the jersey off and threw it to the ground. I watched her, my heart pounding in my chest as she added softly, "I'm sorry I bothered you so much."

And then she walked away.

She walked away from me.

I wasn't about to let her go like that. I followed her, reaching out and grabbing her arm, but gently. "He lifted your chin, he touched your face, and you touched his hand," I muttered, my voice low, frustration barely masked. "And you wore his jersey." My voice hardened at the last word.

The thought of Ada with Aiden—my enemy—was like a knife twisting in my gut. She liked him. Fuck. Ada liked Aiden? Another guy? In her life? Not just any guy. Aiden.

No. Fuck no.

Ada frowned, turning her gaze to the ground. "You shouldn't care," she said quietly. "Go to Lizzie. She's his ex too, so your revenge plan can step up." The bitterness in her voice stung more than I'd expected. "Since everything is a game. The night in the woods? I felt safe and vulnerable with you, Ares, I'm sorry. I'll block him, okay? You don't have to worry."

I should've been relieved, but instead, I was just more pissed. How could she think I liked Lizzie more than her? I didn't even like Lizzie, period. I was selfish enough to like the fact that she'd block him, though.

"And, for the record, I like you more than Lizzie." My voice softened as I admitted it. "You're my favorite friend." And girl. And person. "And this isn't a game. You're not a player and you're not to be played with?"

Ada gave me a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper, "Thank you. I need to go home now. I'll see you at school."

I hated how distant she sounded. But at least she was coming back to school.

"I can drop you off," I offered, needing any excuse to stay close to her.

"No, I want to take a walk, please."

I watched her for a moment, torn between insisting and letting her go. But she needed space, and I had to respect that.

For now.

Because I wasn't planning for any or friendships. I craved more.

Selfishly I want to put a claim on her before anyone else does.

And by anyone, I mean him.

__

Ada walked into second period, her usual laid-back vibe evident in her oversized shirt and jean shorts, or leggings depending on the day. It was always one or the other. She made her way over to her usual seat next to mine, only to stop short when she saw Lizzie already sitting there. Lizzie only occupied that seat because of a group project we got assigned together—Rose, Lizzie, Luca, and me. Ada had been absent the day we were assigned, so now Lizzie was acting like it was her spot.

Ada's face fell, but she managed a tight smile as she looked at Lizzie. Lizzie, sensing the tension, immediately tried to backtrack, getting up from the chair in a flurry of apologies. "We completely forgot you sit here," she said with a light laugh, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm so sorry, this is your seat."

Ada's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's okay," she said softly, waving off the apology. "I'm not feeling like sitting in the front anyway. Just sit." Her voice was calm, but I could read her easily. Ada thought she was being replaced.

Rose waved at her, trying to make the situation less awkward, but Ada barely noticed. "It's really fine, Lizzie. I'll just go sit—"

"Beside me. Come sit with me." The interruption came from behind her, and my blood ran cold.

Aiden.

No fucking way. Ada wouldn't sit beside him. Not after everything.

Ada turned around, surprised. "Oh, no. Sorry, I think I'll go sit—"

"We need to talk anyway, let's go. I saved you a seat." Before she could protest, Aiden grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the back of the room, completely ignoring her discomfort.

He grabbed her. That's all I could focus on. He touched her.

He saved her a seat. Without even knowing if she would sit or not.

Lizzie frowned as she sat back down. "What are they doing? She's not his type," she muttered, a bit too smug for my liking.

I shrugged, biting down the urge to say something I'd regret. "I wanna kill your ex," I growled under my breath.

Lizzie smirked, clearly unbothered by my mood. "Also, I was thinking after school you could come over to my place so we can finish that project?" Her smile was too sweet, too calculated.

I hesitated. Lizzie wasn't one of us—not really. She was barely a classmate, and that alone felt dangerous. We used to hate her and her entire crew, and even now, things between her and Loren were on edge. She was getting too close, too comfortable. But at the same time, I felt a pang of guilt. She was going through a breakup with Aiden, and maybe this was her way of dealing with it.

"Of course," I said, though my tone lacked enthusiasm. "But aren't you going to ask Rose, Luca, and Loren to come too? It's our project, after all." And I definitely didn't want to be alone with her.

Lizzie smiled, but her eyes gleamed with something else. "Nah, too much noise. Just me and you will be perfect."