Darkson High

3.12

Kyle stormed away from his argument with Maggie, a swirl of frustration and anger gnawing at him. His emotions were tangled—anger, betrayal, and a bitter, nagging feeling of humiliation all rolled into one. The argument had left him feeling unsteady and cornered. He wasn't used to feeling so out of control, especially when it came to Maggie. She was his, wasn't she? And yet there she was, keeping secrets and seemingly drawn to Jake like a moth to a flame.

He grabbed a beer from one of the coolers, popping it open with a flick of his wrist. One beer turned into two, and before long, he was chugging them back with some of the other football players, trying to drown out the fury that was simmering inside him. The music pounded in his ears, a chaotic rhythm that matched the beat of his pulse. All he could think about was Maggie, Jake, and the way things were falling apart right in front of him.

But as the alcohol coursed through his veins, a clearer thought started to form: revenge. His mind raced through all the ways he could get back at Jake, who seemed to be at the center of all his problems. He knew better than to confront Jake directly—Jake had a reputation, and Kyle wasn't an idiot. He didn't want a public showdown that could blow up in his face. No, he needed to be smarter about this.

Then, an idea struck him. His lips curled into a bitter smile as he remembered something: Jake and his crew weren't even invited to this party. They'd crashed it, just like they always did. And Tom, the host of the party, still had a chip on his shoulder when it came to Jake. After all, Jake had hooked up with Tom's sister just recently, and there was still some lingering bad blood there.

Kyle saw his opportunity. He downed the rest of his beer and made his way over to Tom, who was lounging near the back porch with a few of his friends. Kyle leaned in, putting on his most casual face, the alcohol giving him a false sense of confidence.

"Hey, man," Kyle said, slapping Tom on the shoulder. "Did you know Jake and his guys crashed your party? Just thought you should know, since... well, you remember what happened with your sister."

Tom's face darkened, his jaw clenching at the mention of Jake. "That piece of—" He cut himself off, looking around the party, his eyes narrowing. "Where is he?"

Kyle shrugged, trying to look indifferent. "Not sure. Last I saw, he was hanging around with that Olivia chick. Just thought I'd give you a heads-up."

Tom's expression hardened, and he stood up, his friends following his lead. "Thanks for the tip, man," he muttered before stalking off, his eyes scanning the crowd for Jake.

Kyle watched him go, feeling a small, cold satisfaction bloom inside him. It wasn't much, but it was a start. He'd set something in motion, and now he could sit back and see how it played out.

He wandered back into the house, his head still buzzing with a mix of anger and alcohol. That's when he spotted Maria standing alone in a quiet corner, her arms wrapped around herself, looking lost and a little sad. She looked different from her usual bubbly self—more vulnerable.

Maria had never been someone Kyle paid much attention to. She was Maggie's best friend, sure, but she was just... there. An easy, pretty face who was always around but never quite in his line of sight. Tonight, though, was different. She looked... easy, and right now, that's exactly what Kyle wanted. Something to take his mind off everything that was wrong.

He approached her slowly, his steps slightly unsteady. "Hey, Maria," he said, his voice softer, more controlled than he felt. "What's up? You look... off."

Maria glanced up, her eyes a little glassy, a sad smile on her lips. "Oh, Kyle... just having a rough night, I guess. Guy I was supposed to come with bailed on me. Guess I'm just too much of a dumb bimbo for him." She laughed, but there was a bitter edge to it.

Kyle felt a strange tug of pity, but more than that, he felt an opportunity. He stepped closer, his tone more sympathetic. "Hey, don't say that. You're not just some bimbo. You're... you're cool, Maria. Really."

The words were easy, and they seemed to land just right. Maria looked up at him, her eyes softening. She was tipsy, a little lost, and clearly looking for some kind of comfort. And Kyle? He was more than willing to be that comfort.

One thing led to another, and soon they were flirting, their words slurring together in a mix of drunken confidence and vulnerability. Kyle leaned in closer, his hand brushing against her arm, and Maria didn't pull away. She looked up at him with a sort of dazed curiosity, and then, before either of them could think too much about it, they were kissing.

It wasn't soft or sweet; it was hungry and desperate, both of them looking for something to distract from their own messes. The kiss grew more intense, hands starting to wander, the alcohol making everything feel fuzzy and urgent.

"Wanna go somewhere?" Kyle whispered against her lips, his breath hot and heavy.

Maria hesitated for a second, her eyes flickering with a brief moment of clarity, but then she nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

They stumbled up the stairs, giggling and leaning on each other, and found an empty room on the first floor. The door clicked shut behind them, and the world outside faded away. There was no Maggie, no Jake, no judgment—just the two of them, lost in their own chaotic moment.

Neither of them thought about the consequences, about the morning after, or about the ripple effects that this moment would cause. All they wanted was to feel something different, something that made them forget, if only for a little while.