Darkson High

2.5

Maggie leaned against her locker, a carefully composed expression on her face, watching the flow of students as if she were above the chaos. Her posture was relaxed, almost bored, but her fingers absentmindedly twirled a lock of her hair. She glanced down the hall where Kyle was still chatting with his friends, a pleasant smile on his face. She should have been more invested in whatever he was talking about, but her eyes kept darting back to the crowd, searching for something—or rather, someone—else.

When she spotted him, her heart did an involuntary stutter. Jake was making his way through the throng of students with that same, irritating confidence. His shoulders squared, his walk easy but purposeful. It was like watching a lion prowling, aware of its own power and the effect it had on its surroundings. Maggie felt her breath catch in her throat. He hadn't changed in the way that counted; if anything, he'd only leaned harder into the version of himself that had once drawn her in with his flirtation and charm, leaving her spinning in his wake.

She took in the way his sharp blue eyes scanned the crowd with a dangerous glint, more intense than before. She could feel herself bristling, her spine straightening, but she couldn't look away. His eyes met hers, and his lips curled into a slow, knowing smile that sent a surge of heat through her. Damn him. She could feel herself slipping, losing the cool detachment she fought so hard to maintain.

Maggie's expression tightened into a mask of indifference as Jake approached, leaning against the locker beside her with a relaxed arrogance that made her blood simmer. He was too close—close enough that she could smell his cologne, a heady mix of pine and something darker that twisted her insides in a way she hated.

"Hey, Mags," he greeted, his voice low and smooth, like he was daring her to drop the act.

"What do you want, Jake?" Maggie shot back, her voice steely despite the thundering in her chest. She crossed her arms, putting up a barrier between them, but it didn't seem to faze him. His eyes were locked onto hers with a predatory focus that made it hard to breathe.

Jake chuckled, leaning in slightly. "Can't a guy say hello to an old friend?" His grin was wicked, and Maggie could tell he was enjoying this way too much.

"Friend?" she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Last I checked, friends don't play disappearing acts or mess with people's heads. Or did you forget how to use a phone while you were off playing delinquent?"

His chuckle deepened, more amused now. "Still got that sharp tongue. I always liked that about you."

Maggie felt a rush of heat to her cheeks, and she hated herself for it. "Yeah? And I always hated how you never took anything seriously," she retorted, but her voice wavered just a bit, betraying her nerves.

Jake's smile softened, but his eyes remained sharp, unyielding. "You always did get me, Mags."

"Don't call me that," she snapped, but there was a slight tremor in her voice that she couldn't quite control. Damn him and his way of getting under her skin. "And I don't get you, Jake. Not anymore."

He tilted his head, his grin turning almost thoughtful. "Is that what you keep telling yourself?" He leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Because I think you're just pretending. Putting on a show."

Her breath hitched. The hallway around them seemed to fade into the background, the noise and bustle becoming a distant hum. She could feel his body heat, could see the way his eyes bore into hers as if he could see right through her icy facade. She tried to steady herself, to focus on the cold metal of the locker behind her, but he was too close, and she was losing ground.

"And what's your excuse?" she shot back, her voice softer, almost a whisper. "Still running around trying to prove you're some kind of badass?"

Jake's eyes darkened, his grin shifting into something more serious, more intense. "Maybe I don't have to prove anything to anyone. Not anymore."